The Red Bulls’ 7-0 win over NYC FC on Saturday at Yankee Stadium was the game of the week in the MLS, and one of the key contributors in that game was honored on Tuesday.
Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips was voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for the 12th week of the 2016 MLS season.
Wright-Phillips scored two goals and assisted on another in the big win in the Hudson River Derby.
With Saturday’s brace (two goals), the English forward continued his tremendous streak in the crosstown rivalry, scoring six goals in four matches all-time against New York City FC.
With the Red Bulls already playing with an advantage in the first half, Wright-Phillips made his mark on the match with his first goal in the 42nd minute of play. Teammate Mike Grella made a skilled run into the box and sent a cross directly in front of goal that Wright-Phillips headed into the back of the net for a 2-0 Red Bulls lead.
With an MLS goal of the week contender, Wright-Phillips further added to the Red Bulls already impressive first half with a bicycle kick goal past diving goalkeeper Josh Saunders in the 47th minute of play to give his squad a 3-0 advantage heading into the break.
Wright-Phillips would then assist on New York native Alex Muyl’s first career MLS goal in the 56th minute, opportunistically stealing a pass and setting up Muyl perfectly in front of the net (Watch Assist). Following Saturday’s performance, Wright-Phillips now has five goals and two assists on the season.
The Red Bulls moved into third in the Eastern Conference standings (5-7-1, 16 points) with the win over NYC FC. It was their second win in four days, as they also beat the Chicago Fire 1-0 last Wednesday at Red Bull Arena, and Wright-Phillips set up the game-winner, scored by Mike Grella.