An American Dream. With his first goal, Dante Vanzeir also immediately provided his new employer with a first victory of the season. Substitute Vanzeir made the difference for New York Red Bull in the last minutes by technically getting the ball out of the air in a while.
Substitute Vanzeir decides the game in the last minutes
Dante Vanzeir has to be satisfied with a role as a substitute in the first weeks of the season in the American MLS.
He missed the first game due to problems with his visa, in games two and three he got 14 and 25 playing minutes respectively.
However, scoring was not the great strength of New York Red Bulls in the first three matches. The team scored 1 goal in three matches. That resulted in a draw and two losses.
Nevertheless, Vanzeir also started on the bench again on matchday four – against Columbus.
The fans in New York yearned for a first win of the season, but did not believe their eyes when they saw goalkeeper Coronel come incomprehensibly far from his goal in the first half. The visitors took full advantage and led 0-1 (see summary).
New York, however, was the better team, but only came to the same level after the break. Luquinhas made it 1-1 in the rebound in the 53rd minute.
The home fans slowly grew impatient as the game seemed to drag on to a new draw, but that was without Dante Vanzeir counted.
Ten minutes after Vanzeir came onto the field, he scored the decisive 2-1 in the 86th minute. Vanzeir took a high cross out of the air at the far post in no time. He celebrated by making two wings with his hands.
Vanzeir was immediately named man of the match after the match.
Vanzeir: “Moment everyone was waiting for”
Expectations around Dante Vanzeir in New York are high. The 5 million euros that the club paid to Union is a record transfer. After his first goal, the 24-year-old striker may be able to relax a bit more.
“This was the moment everyone was waiting for, especially me,” Vanzeir said after the match. “It’s a good start. A first home win, a first goal. As a team we needed this. I enjoyed the moment.”
John Tolkin – youth player of New York RB and brand new American international – had words of praise for the Belgian in the selection. “He has the instinct of a striker and was well on the lookout during that phase.”
View the entire summary with Coronel’s blunder
