by ANTHONY J. MERCED

HARRISON, N.J. – What drought?

After scoring against the Columbus Crew on Sunday, Red Bulls winger Mike Grella said he never succumbed to frustration from his lack of goal scoring chances.

“It was nice to be getting around the goal again,” said Grella after the game. “I knew it was coming. I was very pleased with getting myself into some dangerous positions. I kind of went for a month or so without even getting opportunities to score.

“I was not frustrated at all just waiting for my chance.”

Grella has slotted back into the lineup following a hamstring injury to Daniel Royer. The goal on Sunday was only his seventh of the season, with a chance for him to match his 2015 production should he net two in the last game against Philadelphia.

Before this game, Grella’s goal scoring had dried up, putting into question his position in the starting lineup. Grella went 17 matches without a goal, last scoring in June 19 against the Seattle Sounders.

“It helps with confidence if they are now on a streak of scoring goals,” said Marsch when speaking about Grella’s form in recent games. “I wanted him to stop putting so much pressure and I wanted him to go out and just enjoy playing.”