While the second game under new coach Troy Lesesne did not result in the sorely needed three points for the New York Red Bulls, a draw this week did represent progress as the club attempts to claw its way out of the Eastern Conference basement.
The Red Bulls try to continue their improved play Saturday night at Harrison, N.J. when they host CF Montreal in a matchup of teams below the playoff line in the East. New York is coming off a 0-0 deadlock with Toronto FC on Wednesday.
New York (2-4-7, 13 points) is 1-0-1 in MLS play since Lesesne replaced Gerhard Struber following its 1-0 home loss to the Philadelphia Union on May 6. That loss was the last game of an 0-3-4 skid that resulted in Struber's ouster ahead of a U.S. Open cup match against D.C. United.
Lesense's MLS debut was last Saturday's 1-0 home win when Omir Fernandez scored in the 76th minute to beat New York City FC. On Wednesday, the Red Bulls mustered three shots at Toronto FC.
"That's the third match in a row," Lesense said. "I think again, we continue to make progress towards some of the things that we want to improve on with the ball in terms of creating just some different looks and different ideas."
CF Montreal (5-7-0, 15 points) and Inter Miami are the only MLS teams without a draw this season, and one of Montreal's wins was a 2-0 home decision over the Red Bulls on April 22. Montreal scored on a New York own goal before Mathieu Choiniere scored in second-half stoppage time.
That victory began a run of four straight 2-0 victories for Montreal that was part of a 405-minute scoreless streak.
The run ended Wednesday when Montreal dropped to 1-6-0 on the road with a 3-0 loss at FC Cincinnati. Montreal saw five of its 10 shots go on target and while they didn't find the back of the Cincinnati goal, they did give up an own goal by Joel Waterman.
"We made a lot of sloppy mistakes, but we have to keep our heads up," Montreal's Ariel Lassiter said. "We've been playing really well, and we have to continue to go forward."
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