The Leagues Cup returned to the tri-state area as the NY/NJ Red Bulls hosted Liga MX side Chivas de Guadalajara. On paper, the hosts had the upper hand due to having home advantage, but strangely enough, they had a very defensive approach. They reserved their best players and gave Chivas a chance to have more control of the game. 

Guadalajara didn’t hold back and brought on their best lineup. Names like Efrain Alvarez, Roberto Alvarado, and Alan Pulido were ready to bring out the best in Chivas up front. As a bonus, they had an asset who was more than familiar with the surrounding areas. Richard Ledezma made an unexpected return to Harrison. The former New York City FC player took advantage of his previous ties to New York and went on to have one of the best individual performances of the night.

Their game consisted of playing out wide. Ledezma, alongside Efrain Alvarez, Alvarado, and Bryan Gonzalez, was able to create danger based on speed and physicality. Unfortunately, they were unable to capitalize on their dominance throughout the first half. In fact, the best and most clear chance came in the 22nd minute after Richard Ledezma took a shot from distance that forced a great save by the Red Bull’s keeper.

The Red Bull’s game plan was simple, but effective. Hold the line and play for the counterattack. While it is a risky move, the hosts were able to hold off Chivas for most of the second half. Both teams tried to refresh their squads with strategic substitutions within the 60-minute mark. Cade Cowell came in for Ledezma. Emil Forsberg took center stage by the 73rd minute.

It was anyone’s game; neither team could really get near each other’s final third. But the Red Bull did close out the game on a higher note. Foresberg added more movement and versatility for the hosts. While Cade Cowell did have a positive impact coming from the bench, he slowly lost that momentum. Had they decided to keep Ledezma in, the Ledezma-Cowell partnership would have been enough to break the goalless tie.

The Red Bulls, however, had their game plan rewarded after breaking the tie in the last minute of stoppage time. Emil Forsberg became the hero of the night after his free kick when’s passed the Guadalajara keeper to take the 3 points. Chivas never really found the connection to Alan Pulido, and that alone limited their chances to tilt the game in their favor.

It was a painful way to lose for Chivas, but if they keep this performance as a blueprint for the upcoming fixtures, they can turn things around very quickly. The Red Bulls need to improve. They have to find alternatives whenever Forsberg is not on the team. Playing defense can only take you so far if you don’t score. Hopefully, they take that into account moving forward.