Felipe scores 2 second-half goals as Red Bulls finally win
HARRISON, N.J. (AP) - Two world-class goals by Felipe and face save by Sal Zizzo in the closing seconds of injury time helped the banged up New York Red Bulls avoid their worst start since 1998.
Felipe scored from the top of the box in the 77th minute to tie the game and tallied on a free kick in the 83rd to give the defending MLS Supporters' Shield winners a stunning 4-3 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Saturday night.
"I have been working the past couple of weeks on shooting," Felipe said. "I know that's a part of me that I needed to do better because I always look at myself to see what I need to improve."
Sacha Kljestan and Mike Grella also scored as the Red Bulls avoided their first 0-3 start since 1998, when the team was known as the MetroStars.
Will Bruin scored two first-half goals for the potent Dynamo, while Brazilian midfielder Alex added the other in the 65th minute to give Houston a 3-2 lead.
The Red Bulls were shut out by Montreal and Toronto in the first two games, but they found their offense in this one with Felipe scoring on brilliant strikes from about 20 yards.
His first goal from just above the left edge of the arc found the top right corner of the net. His second from the top right side of the box also went into the corner of the net, beating goalkeeper Joe Willis.
"He scored the amazing third goal and when the free kick came, he said: 'Let me take it, I'm going to score," Kljestan said. "I said 'all right' and he put it in the back of the net. It was amazing."
Ricardo Clark had a chance to tie the game for Houston in injury time but his point blank shot from in the box hit Zizzo in the face and was cleared.
"I didn't see it but some of the guys said he dove and took one square in the face," Kljestan said of Zizzo's save. "That's the commitment we need. It's a big play, one of the biggest plays of the game."
Red Bulls captain Dax McCarty said the team has to start defending better. It has given up eight goals in three games.
"If you give good forwards chances they are going to score," McCarty said.
Houston has now scored 11 goals in three games, but it is 1-1-1.
"We know we have the firepower to score, but we have to tighten up defensively and that starts at the front," Bruin said. "We have to make sure we are tight and compact and hard to play against. When we get stretched, teams in this league love that, and every team has players that can hurt you."
The Red Bulls lost defenders Gideon Baah and Ronald Zubar and midfielder Gonzalo Veron to leg injuries on the cold night.