The New York Red Bulls couldn’t capitalize on a significant offensive advantage in a 0-0 draw with Nashville SC on Saturday night in Harrison, N.J.
The Red Bulls outshot Nashville (4-5-8, 20 points) 22-6, also leading 5-1 in shots on target. However, after several near-misses and one overturned goal, New York (8-4-6, 30 points) had to settle for the tie.
Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis made five saves for his fifth shutout of the season.
New York’s Ryan Meara made one save for his second clean sheet of the year. Meara was making his third start of the season in place of No. 1 goalkeeper Carlos Coronel.
Due to international duty, both teams were missing key personnel. Coronel and Lewis Morgan were absent from the Red Bulls’ lineup, while Nashville SC were playing without Anibal Godoy, Shaq Moore and Jacob Shaffelburg.
The Red Bulls still have yet to lose at home, now sitting at 5-0-3 on the season.
Nashville SC held 58.6 percent of the possession in the first half, but New York held a 9-0 advantage in shots, including a 3-0 edge in shots on target, through the first 45-plus minutes. The Red Bulls’ high-octane attack was able to quickly turn limited time with the ball into scoring chances, though New York couldn’t find the back of the net.
Dylan Nealis thought he had scored his first career MLS goal in the 25th minute, but a video review erased the Red Bulls defender’s would-be tally. Nealis buried a rebound after Dante Vanzeir’s shot attempt was saved, but while Nealis was collecting the deflected ball, his arm made accidental contact with it for a hand ball foul.
New York had more dangerous chances to score in the second half, including two close calls in rapid succession. Elias Manoel’s chance off a Cameron Harper cross in the 56th minute went just wide of the net. A minute later, Sean Nealis’ header off a corner kick required Willis to make a jumping stop to push the ball over the crossbar.
The two sides also played to a 0-0 draw in their first meeting of the season back on Feb. 25 in Nashville.
–Field Level Media
