HARRISON, NJ — The New York Red Bulls continued their steady climb in the Eastern Conference with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over CF Montréal on Saturday afternoon at Sports Illustrated Stadium. In front of a lively home crowd, it was defender Noah Eile who made the difference, scoring his first Major League Soccer goal to seal the win and three valuable points for New York.
Eile’s Moment: A First Career Goal in Style
The decisive moment came in the 67th minute. With New York pressing and the game hanging in the balance, Omar Valencia delivered a precision corner kick to the far post. Eile rose above his marker and confidently headed the ball into the bottom left corner—an unstoppable finish and a memorable milestone for the 22-year-old Swedish center back.
“It felt great,” Eile said after the match. “The game was still tied at that point, so scoring that goal made it even more special. I had to take a minute to refocus because it was such a rush. But I knew there was still work to be done.”
The goal not only gave the Red Bulls the lead, but also showcased Valencia’s growing influence. The assist was Valencia’s third of the season, tying him for the second-most among MLS defenders—a remarkable stat for a player who’s quietly become one of the league’s most consistent playmakers from the backline.
Coronel Closes the Door
On the other end of the pitch, Carlos Coronel once again proved why he’s among the top shot-stoppers in the league. The Paraguayan international made five crucial saves to secure his fourth clean sheet of the season, tied for the second-most in MLS this year. His 36 total saves rank third league-wide, and Saturday’s performance was a showcase in composure, reflexes, and leadership.
A Defensive Core on Display
The Red Bulls’ backline not only kept Montréal off the scoreboard but delivered a series of individual milestones:
- Kyle Duncan made his long-awaited return to the starting XI, going the full 90 minutes for the first time since August 2024. “You always want to be cautious coming back,” Duncan said. “But I felt ready. I looked at Coach and told him, ‘Let me run it.’ He gave me the nod, and I’m glad I could help bring this win home.”
- Tim Parker added a milestone of his own, coming off the bench in the 83rd minute to mark his 100th appearance for the Red Bulls—a testament to his veteran presence and enduring value.
- Meanwhile, Sean Nealis made his 143rd career MLS appearance, moving him into sole possession of eighth place in club history. When including all competitions, he now ties Carlos Mendes for third-most appearances by a defender in franchise history with 166.
Head Coach Sandro Schwarz lauded the consistency and effort from his squad. “Every coach wants to see that level of performance week in and week out,” Schwarz said post-match. “That’s where our focus is—consistency. It’s what we must improve, and we’re working toward it every day.”
Injuries and Improvement: The Road Ahead
With key players returning from injury, Schwarz emphasized the importance of building momentum. “Now, we need points, points, points,” he said. “We’re getting players back, and we need to take advantage.”
Despite earning 15 points through 10 matches this season—just two shy of last year’s total at the same point—Schwarz acknowledged the sense of urgency is different this time around.
“Last season, after 10 games, we had 17 points. Now we have 15,” Schwarz reflected. “But the feeling is different. There’s a higher expectation now, and that’s a good thing.”
What’s Next: A Trip to Take on the Stars
The Red Bulls now set their sights on Inter Miami CF, led by global stars and an energized fan base. New York will travel to Chase Stadium on Saturday, May 3, for what promises to be a high-stakes Eastern Conference clash. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET, with live coverage available via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and New York Red Bulls Radio, presented by Sports Illustrated, in English.
Final Word: A Statement Win and a Sign of Things to Come
Saturday’s victory was more than just three points. It was a team-wide statement of resilience, discipline, and growth. From a first career goal to milestone appearances and a lockdown defensive performance, the Red Bulls are proving that they’re built for the grind—and the climb.
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