by ANTHONY J. MERCED

HARRISON, N.J. – The New York Red Bulls start the CONACACF Champions League on a winning foot with a strong 3-0 victory over Guatemalan side Antigua GFC at Red Bull Arena.

An Alejandro Galindo own goal opened the scoring in the first half, with Alex Muyl and Sacha Kljestan rounding out the goal scorers.

The team consisted mostly of homegrown players, facing a physical Central American side. Alex Muyl, Tyler Adams and Sean Davis in particular were up to the challenge; getting the start for New York, and later joined by Derrick Etienne Jr. in the second half.

“Overall some good performances from our young guys,” said head coach Jesse Marsch. “Another proud moment for our club to call on some of our homegrown players and have them step up.”

The first half was a chippy affair as both teams were served yellow cards before the 10th minute. Antigua had opportunities on the counter early but Ryan Meara was up to the task in goal. The scoring opened in the 15th minute when a corner kick from Sean Davis pinballed off Antigua’s Galindo for an own-goal. From there New York had the better opportunities with both Alex Muyl and Gonzalo Veron hitting the post before the halftime whistle. Antigua also lost a man in the 26th minute as Sixto Betancourt was sent off with a red card for a high and hard foul.

“I thought that at times they made it hard on us to play out of the back,” said Marsch about Antigua’s pressure. “Once they got the red card, my message to the team out on the field was don’t do anything to allow the game to be evened up. Make sure that we keep the man advantage and over time we can wear the match down.”

That’s just what New York did in the second half as they dominated possession and eventually added to their lead. After hitting the post on several occasions, Alex Muyl converted Kemar Lawrence’s pass in front of an empty net. From there, substitute and USL standout Derrick Etienne Jr. dazzled the crowd with chances but couldn’t convert — with one chance even hitting the post. Sacha Kljestan sealed the deal for New York with an 80th minute goal. Gonzalo Veron provided the service for Kljestan who had just come onto the field in place of Tyler Adams.

The win will make sure RBNY tops their group to kickoff the Champions League. New York will have a quick turnaround back to MLS action as they will travel to LA to play the Galaxy on Sunday night.

STARTING XI:

New York Red Bulls: Meara; Lawrence (’63 Lade), Collin, Perrinelle, Duvall; Adams (’78 Kljestan), Davis; S. Wright-Phillips (’70 Etienne Jr.), Muyl, Felipe; Veron

Antigua GFC: Alvarez; Gonzalez, Pinto, Miranda (’64 Thompson), Russell (’78 Archila), Herrera, Galindo, Betancourt, Pena, Castillo (’55 Herrarte), Acosta

GOALS:



’15 (AGFC) OWN GOAL: Jose Pinto (1)

’62 (RBNY): Alex Muyl (1) assisted by Kemar Lawrence (1)

’80 (RBNY): Sacha Kljestan (1) assisted by Gonzalo Veron (1)

DISCIPLINE:

‘3 YELLOW CARD (AGFC): Fabian Castillo

‘6 YELLOW CARD (RBNY): Shaun Wright-Phillips

’26 RED CARD (AGFC): Sixto Betancourt