Fire 'down' after 1-0 defeat to Red Bulls

While the New York Red Bulls celebrated their first MLS win in their new stadium, the Fire was left to ponder what could have been in its season opener.

A 40th-minute Joel Lindpere goal gave the Red Bulls a 1-0 victory Saturday night over the Fire at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.

"We're all down," Fire forward/midfielder Patrick Nyarko told reporters after the game. "It was a very winnable game. We played well within the game plan, but unfortunately we didn't come out with a result. I'm totally disappointed. I felt I could have done more."

Nyarko did a lot, working hard to get some shots and set up his teammates, forcing Red Bulls goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul to make 8 saves.

It looked like it would just be a matter of time before the Fire scored when a Brian McBride bicycle kick just missed, bouncing off the left post despite what Nyarko called "an unbelievable effort."

Instead it was a sign of things to come.

"It was just one of those nights. It just didn't go in," Nyarko said. "It's just a matter of taking our chances and not making mistakes in the back."

Making his first MLS appearance, goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra looked a little nervous at times, bobbling a second-half shot before recovering. He didn't make his first save until the 38th minute, easily smothering the Mac Kandji shot.

"I had confidence going into the game," said Dykstra, noting the solid back line in front of him. "I knew that they were going to help me through it. It was exciting. It was a good atmosphere."

A Logan Pause giveaway in the Fire's half of the field led to the goal, which Lindpere hit with a right-footed side volley from just outside the top of the penalty area after the ball bounced back to him.

"The ball just kind of bounced into this dude's lap and it couldn't have teed up better for him," Dykstra said.

It was the Fire's first game for new coach Carlos de los Cobos.

"I am disappointed, because our team played with order," de los Cobos said. "This is the one thing that I ask from them all the time. We are trying to transmit to the players to play with some style, I wanted them to put the ball on the ground and try to start structuring our game to a forward attack; they are making progress and it's a shame how we lost the game."