CONCACAF Champions League Takeaways: Red Bulls vs. Whitecaps

Feb 22, 2017; Harrison, NJ, USA; Vancouver Whitecaps forward Kekuta Manneh (23) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first half against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2017; Harrison, NJ, USA; Vancouver Whitecaps forward Kekuta Manneh (23) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first half against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 22, 2017; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips (99) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second half against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2017; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips (99) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second half against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Second Half

The second half was far scrappier, as the Red Bulls went in search of an equaliser and the Whitecaps tried to hang on. RBNY’s had an early chance to score as Jake Nerwinski, making his competitive debut for the Whitecaps, gave away a penalty a couple of minutes into the second half. David Ousted, however, saved Kljestan’s weak shot with his feet.

The Red Bulls finally got their equalizer in the 62nd minute, as Bradley Wright-Phillips did what he does best. Last year’s top scorer found space in the Whitecaps penalty area and fired a shot into the top corner of Ousted’s net.

The game got even harder for the Whitecaps in the 70th minute when Techera flew into a tackle on Sal Zizzo with his foot high and was red-carded. The final 20 minutes of the match consisted of waves of Red Bull attacks and desperate defending from the Whitecaps. However, Vancouver managed to hold on and will be the happier of the two sides with the final result.