SANDY, Utah -- As the New York Red Bulls have reached a first MLS Cup Final in club history, leaving highly favored and higher seeded teams in their wake, their charge through the postseason has come from a most unlikely source -- thanks to a patched-up defense.
They're not only winning, but also getting shutouts along the way, while playing on the road.
Last week, while upsetting the top-seeded Houston Dynamo, the Red Bulls defense absorbed an extraordinary amount of pressure from the defending MLS Cup champions. While Dane Richards was running past the Houston defense, New York's backline kept 16 Dynamo shots from finding the back of the net.
Saturday's Western Conference Championship against Real Salt Lake was no different. The Bulls saw just as many shots in the second half alone in Salt Lake as they did during the Houston game last week. RSL finished with 24 attempts on goal.
The Red Bulls have allowed just one goal total in their three postseason games, the fewest among the eight teams to reach this year's MLS Cup Playoffs.
"It felt like there was a wall at midfield," said goalkeeper Danny Cepero about the second half against RSL. "That's the way the game is going to be played. Their backs were against the wall, so they're going to bring everything they can to try and equalize."
It was situation that Red Bulls head coach Juan Carlos Osorio was expecting when facing a team like Salt Lake.
"We knew that's what would happen," said Osorio. "They are a very good attacking team. I think we weathered the storm. When we didn't clear the ball the post helped us today. The post is part of the goal. I'm very pleased for everybody including Danny [Cepero], he was magnificent today, too."
Cepero, of course, was playing in just the fifth game of his MLS career. He was forced into the lineup after goalkeeper Jon Conway -- who had started all previous 28 league games -- and starting center back Jeff Parke, were suspended for 10 games for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
While Cepero was called upon to make a few acrobatic fingertip saves, he deflected all praise to the efforts of his teammates in front of him, and the work that they put forth. "The clean sheets are all a credit to the guys in front," said Cepero. "I make a few saves, but it's those guys that cut out most of the chances and make my day a little bit easier. They played their tails off today, and last weekend, and for most of the season. They've worked as hard as I think they've ever worked on a soccer field, so kudos to them."
The young goalkeeper also credited the mental toughness of his teammates -- most of whom he really got to know just a few weeks before being pressed into duty, after spending much of the year on loan with Harrisburg of the USL Second Division.
In the face of such an overwhelming attack, he pointed out that it was a team effort to keep RSL at bay. Although it wasn't always perfect, the end result was enough to move on to next Sunday's MLS Cup Final against the Columbus Crew.
"There were times when it gets a little bit erratic," said Cepero. "That's where the mental game comes into it. I think, these guys, it's a credit to them, to have that mental strength to continually focus for that last 45 minutes, and know that we may not get many chances; we may not keep the ball up for that long. But we're going to have to play hard-nosed defense and hold on to the lead."
The Red Bulls also acknowledged that a bit of luck helped pushed them through to the final. There were at least two occasions on Saturday night when Javier Morales curled a free kick into the area for RSL, beating everyone but the post. Then, in the 81st minute Will Johnson only needed to tap a rolling ball into the open net, but instead somehow pushed the ball onto the back post.
Osorio mentioned there could have also been a little divine intervention.
"I think we have to congratulate all the guys, and the post," said Osorio. "I have been disappointed, sometimes, with our luck. But, I think we got it today. The man upstairs has helped us today."
Cepero was grateful for the woodwork on the night, and he hopes the ball continues to bounce the Red Bulls' way next week against Columbus.
"It's a funny game that way," he said. "Sometimes, a quarter of an inch one way and those go in. Luck is on our side. Hopefully, the luck doesn't run out and we bring it with us to LA. Sometimes, you need that luck because you can only work so hard. There are times when the ball is just going to have to bounce your way. Fortunately for us, it did bounce our way."
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