Robles' Saves Save The Day For The Red Bulls

The New York Red Bulls (6-5-3, 21 pts) stretched the undefeated streak to four matches on Saturday night, taking a 2-0 win over FC Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

A pair of subs made the difference, with Kaku getting the game-winner and Red Bulls Academy product Omir Fernandez adding the second goal in stoppage time.

The win capped off a seven-point week, with New York going 2-0-1 in the span of seven days. New York has climbed to third place in the Eastern Conference standings.New York's 21 goals scored are third-most in the East, and tied for fourth-most in the league.

Kaku entered the match as a second half sub after playing a full 90 minutes on Wednesday night. The Argentine gave New York the lead in the78th minute, stealing a loose ball from Cincinnati's last defender and beating Spencer Richey with a low shot for his first of the year.

Fernandez, a first-year Homegrown Player, got his first MLS goal in stoppage time, heading home a cross from Brian White to seal the victory for New York.Chris Armas continues to push the right buttons off the bench, as Kaku and Fernandez become the sixth and seventh players to score as substitutes in wins or draws this season.New York now has 15 different goal scorers in 14 games.White recorded his second assist of the season on the second goal. The Flemington, N.J., native has tallied a point in five of the seven league matches he has appeared in (3G, 2A).Michael Amir Murillo also earned an assist on Fernandez's goal, his fourth helper of the year.Captain and goalkeeper Luis Robles recorded four saves, one off of his season-high, to preserve the clean sheet.

The shutout was Robles' third of the season, and 66th of his MLS career.New York is 52-44-24 all-time in the month of May.

New York has scored 186 goals in May and allowed 169.

The Red Bulls return home next Saturday, June 1, to host Real Salt Lake at 7 p.m. ET, with coverage on MSG, MSG GO and New York Red Bulls Radio on TuneIn. 

Scoring Summary:

 NY - Kaku 1 (unassisted) 78'NY - Omir Fernandez 1 (Brian White, Michael Amir Murillo) 90'+1 

Misconduct Summary:NY - Michael Amir Murillo (caution, unsporting behavior) 39'CIN - Kendall Waston (caution, unsporting behavior) 58' 

New York Red Bulls: Luis Robles ©; Michael Amir Murillo, Amro Tarek, Tim Parker, Kemar Lawrence, Cristian Casseres, Jr. (Kaku, 59'), Sean Davis, Andreas Ivan (Omir Fernandez, 79'), Alex Muyl, Tom Barlow (Brian White, 58') 

TOTAL SHOTS: 8; SHOTS ON GOAL: 2; FOULS: 10; OFFSIDE: 1; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 4 

FC Cincinnati: Spencer Richey; Alvas Powell, Justin Hoyte, Kendall Waston ©, Mathieu Deplange, Caleb Stanko, Frankie Amaya, Victor Ulloa (Nazmi Albadawi, 81'), Emmanuel Ledesma (Kekuta Manneh, 81'), Fanendo Adi, Roland Lamah TOTAL SHOTS: 12; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 12; OFFSIDE: 3; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 0 

Referee: Fotis BazakosAssistant Referees: Nick Uranga, Cory Richardson4th Official: Ted UnkelVAR: Chico Grajeda Attendance: 28,290    

New York Red Bulls Head Coach Chris ArmasOn tonight’s match

“Yeah, I mean that locker room is really energized right now. I think part of it is that we win on the road. Part of it is that we continue the momentum. Part of it is that there are a lot of different players contributing. Part of it the guys feel like they are growing in all these moments.” 

On RBNY goalkeeper Luis Robles“Well, I just said to him on my way out of the locker room, another night where you just you come up big, you stand tall. The way we play, we get beat at moments behind and he seems to be in the right spots right now and he was locked in. So, to see him make some big saves, it’s a game changer for sure. It’s another game that he has won it for us.” 

On impact the subs had on the game

"Listen, if you can pull the right strings at times and maybe you can benefit. But I think as the staff, we are watching. We know what we are looking at but when we bring in Kaku, for sure. He plays two of the three games this week. We wanted to manage him the right way going into the match. We thought we would get him involved in some way. Omir Fernandez was the third sub. So, we had to be mindful of not to burn it too early, but we know in the final third he is so clever. Then Brian White gets an assist. Listen, we said in there that the starters come in to a night with 28,000 people, this team, they’re grinding for results.  It is going to be difficult. It’s hot. It’s turf. It’s aerial duels all night. They showed up with courage, our guys. The reserves come in, do their part, it is a total team effort. So, it is great to see these guys rewarded.” 

On Amro Tarek’s form“Yeah, I think not too long ago, we said he was a great off-season pick up. Denis Hamlett nailed you He said, you know with the help of CJ Brown, who had coached him in Orlando. So, credit to those guys and credit to Amro (Tarek). He is prideful. He loves the team. He loves being with the group. He fits in so well. The guys have taken to him, and it usually has to go that way. You don’t just play good. You have to feel comfortable and happy and accepted, and then maybe you can play good. We think that’s the right equation. So, it’s great to see, he gave a lot to the team this week. We pushed him hard and congrats to him.”

On the break after gaining momentum“Well, what that locker has done is amazing. You know, it comes with a little bit of criticism and they responded to that, we all did. So, to see the guys stick together, and again I said it in the Atlanta game when it was referenced, it’s not a starting point. The Atlanta wasn’t a starting point.  That was the results from a strong foundation. Guys sticking together. Coaches preparing the right way, all of it. So yeah, 5-1-1, it’s great, but I’ll tell you what, they’ll reset it.  That’s what the key is, to reset it, to come back to work with humble approach, but with our growing confidence and growing togetherness is probably the best it’s been.”  New York Red Bulls Midfielder Omir FernandezOn this first goal for RBNY“I mean, for sure. You know, as a sub you’re always trying to make an impact.  You’re trying to help the team win and to add that extra goal in those dying moments where we needed it the most.  You know, it’s a great feeling. I feel like it would’ve been better at home with our fans to celebrate, but away will have to do. It’s a moment I’ll never forget.” 

On the impact the substitutions had on the game

“For sure. I mean, we’ve always said we have a deep team. You know, it doesn’t matter the 11 that start, everybody is committed to come in and win. That’s what we are. We’re a winning team and we always wanted to come in and win. You know, Brian got the assist. Brian created a lot of chances, did good defensively up there, and Kaku, obviously, coming in and scoring the first goal is big time.”

 On the team’s mentality after good string of games

“You know, we’re always confident in ourselves. We know what kind of team we are. We make people uncomfortable, and it doesn’t matter what we are. We always try to find comfort in our game. We don’t change the style that we play. And away or home, we want to make people uncomfortable, and it’s working.” 

On building off tonight’s match

“Yeah, for sure, now that we’ve moved up in the table. We had a rough start, but we’ve always known that we were going to pick it up. We know what we have in the locker room, and we’re ready to get 3 points and keep going.” 

New York Red Bulls Midfielder Kaku

On the game“La verdad, contento por el partido que ganamos. Una cancha muy difícil y el equipo lo hizo muy bien. Así que, feliz por ellos y por volver de sumar de a tres.” 

“Honestly, happy for the game that we won. It is a very difficult pitch and the team did very well. So, i am happy for them and adding by three again.” 

On subs contributing to the win

“Muy bien, siempre hay que estar atento. Hay que estar listo para cuando te toque entrar. Tu no sabes si puedes cambiar el ritmo de un partido. Así que, contento porque los dos que entramos pudimos hacerlo muy bien.” 

“Very good, you always have to be vigilant. You have to be ready for when you it is your time to go in. You don't know if you can change the rhythm of a game. So, I am happy because the two of us came in we were able to do it very well." 

On the string of good results.

“Muy bien, porque el equipo está agarrando la confianza del año anterior. Creo que vamos hacer un rival muy difícil para todo lo que venga.”

"Very good, because the team is gaining the confidence of the previous year. I think we're going to be a force to be reckoned with in anything that comes.”