Bover free kick tops Fluminese
February 26, 2014 (Official Game Summary)
A Ruben Bover second half free kick goal was enough for the New York Red Bulls to earn a 1-0 win over the Under-23 squad of Brazil's Fluminense FC Wednesday afternoon at a rain-soaked ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex - a match that was part of the Disney Pro Soccer Classic preseason tournament. New York wrapped up group play with six points off a 2-1-0 record.
Both teams were trying to find their rhythm in the first half and Red Bulls goalkeeper Ryan Meara made a terrific save to keep the game scoreless in the 19th minute, getting his right hand over to palm away a Fluminense shot. On the other end, Thierry Henry was led into the box by Lloyd Sam. The Frenchman cut to his left foot and almost shot at an open goal but Fluminense was able to get back on defense to prevent the attempt.
In the second half, Meara again helped New York out with a pair of saves. First, he blocked a pair of shots from Fluminense attackers Marlon and Pablo. Then, Pablo was able to get behind the Red Bulls' defense and slid an on target attempt between Meara's legs. However, midfielder Dax McCarty was able to clear the ball off the line.
New York took the lead in the 74th minute. After the Red Bulls earned a free kick, Bover stepped up and from the left side of the goal, whipped a 23-yard shot over the wall and into the back of the net for his second tally in as many matches.
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