HARRISON, N.J.—Even the hottest strikers go through cold spells, but the one Bradley Wright-Phillips is weathering right now has both him and the New York Red Bulls at a loss for words.
Wright-Phillips’ nightmarish start to the season continued on Saturday night with an inaccurate performance in front of goal that left both him and his club befuddled. The star forward took 10 shots, four on goal, against Sporting Kansas City, but none of them found the back of the net in a 2-0 loss at Red Bull Arena.
Not even a second-half penalty kick that could have sprung some life in the Red Bulls’ and ignited a comeback: SKC 'keeper Tim Melia guessed right (literally) to save the attempt.
“Sacha [Kljestan] and Brad are our penalty takers and it’s up to them to decide who’s taking penalties,” said Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch of the 64th-minute play. “I love that Sacha said, ‘You know, Brad? Take it. Get on the board, get yourself a goal, and we’re getting back in this game.’
“Now, it doesn’t work out that way."
Nothing has worked out for Wright-Phillips thus far this season.
The author of an MLS-record-tying 27 goals in 2014 and 17 goals last year, Wright-Phillips has failed to find the back of the net through New York’s first five games this season. The veteran forward has accumulated 23 shots, 11 of which have been on frame, but somehow none of them have found the back of the net.
He has been denied by good goalkeeping at times, last-ditch defending in others, and also suffered from some wayward finishing of his own.
That has all contributed to the Red Bulls being shut out in four of their five games, and their surprising 1-4-0 record.
“A part from the first two games, I don’t think we’ve deserved some of the results we’ve got, and I think that can fall a bit on me, not finishing some chances,” Wright-Phillips said. “We should’ve definitely gotten more out of this game today.”
Even with Wright-Phillips mired in a funk, Marsch is confident that things will turn around for the Englishman. He has been involved in many of New York’s chances, and a goal is bound to come eventually.
“My belief in him doesn’t change based on missing a penalty and missing some chances,” Marsch said. “Overall, I thought he was very dangerous, a handful for their center backs and it’s incredible – just that with all the good play he’s had and the good positions he’s put himself in – that he hasn’t been able to put them away yet.
“But they’re going to come. I’ve said that already in the past, and I’m going to continue to say it. He’s going to score goals. That’s the player he is. We see it in training every day, we’ve seen it in both the last two seasons, so it’s only a matter of time.”
