For the New York Red Bulls, this match is the last before the World Cup break came and after a fantastic finish against the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday night, the club was looking to put in a good performance and earn another three points.

The only goal of the evening came in the 27th minute as Seth Stammler made his tally count. The Red Bulls with a corner at the near side, Joel Lindpere sent it into the area. Headed away by the defender and Stammler got the ball. He settled it and ripped a low laser that smashed the inside of the near post for his second of the season.

There really wasn’t much for Bouna Coundoul to be tested on as the backline came up big every single time Chivas-USA would put an attacking run together. No matter who slipped or lost their man, backup was there for the defense. Once again rookie centerback sensation Tim Ream was up to the task and made sure super striker Maykel Galindo would never get a solid chance to convert.

There was a solid play in the 49th minute as Galindo attacked down the near side and avoided two defenders, he was able to get Bouna Coundoul off his line as he approached the end line and then avoided all three. He took a shot at the open net, but it was Ream to the rescue as he cleared the chance.

Chivas-USA’s defending was pretty good as well on Juan Pablo Angel. They limited him to at least two or three solid chances, but when they blocked the lanes they forced Angel to become a passer than his usual title as a scorer. Once again though injuries would hit the Red Bulls again as Sinisa Ubiparipovic was making a run in the 10th minute as his left hamstring tightened up on him and he went down in a heap.

Chivas-USA would get a great chance on goal in the 13th minute by Steve Zemanski. After the corner was cleared Zemanski would take a solid rip and the ball looked like it was going in, nails the crossbar and later it went over the end line for a goal kick. After the match Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe admitted that it was a sloppy performance from the players today, but the dedication was there to get the three points.

After a grand total of twelve league matches, three US Open Cup qualifiers & two friendly matches against Santos FC & Juventus the club was deserving of a break and they will get a good eight to ten days off before their next friendly match on Friday, June 18th against Brazilian side Cruzerio and then they continue league action away at the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday, June 26th & waiting for their Round three opponent on Tuesday, June 29th of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Right now they have more wins and the same amount of points this season, unlike the record they had ending last year. There is marked improvement from this season, the hell they got themselves into last year. But once again, there are still some holes to fill on this club and that will happen once the MLS summer transfer window opens on July 15th.

Have a good two week break Major League Soccer and to everyone else, let’s have a great World Cup.