The New York Red Bulls head into halftime with a one goal lead, but they will probably be wondering how it isn't more. At the same time, Sporting Kansas City are probably wondering how they are not in a scoreless match with the belief that Luke Rodgers was offside on his goal that provides the difference in this 1-0 match. Even so, there is no doubt that the Red Bulls have been the far superior team and do deserve to be ahead after completely dominating the first 45 minutes.
New York Red Bulls Vs. Sporting Kansas City: Luke Rodgers’ Goal Is Difference At Half
Early on in the match it looked as if the Red Bulls would grab a lead when Dwayne De Rosario was grabbed and taken down in the box to get the home side a penalty kick. Thierry Henry missed New York's only other penalty this season so this time Rafa Marquez stepped to the spot, but a weak rolled shot not near the corner made it an easy save for Jimmy Nielsen to keep the game scoreless.
That scoreless tie would only last until the 22nd minute when a quik restart from Marquez and flick on by Henry played De Rosario in ont he right. He crossed for Rodgers, who calmly finished into the empty net, but the Sporting players were left standing with their hands up in the air. They wanted Rodgers to be called offside, but they did not get it and the replays showed it to be extremely close without any definitive answer as to whether or not he was offside.
Now with a 1-0 halftime lead and all of the good play in the opening stanza, the Red Bulls look set to get three points and move back atop the Eastern Conference. They'll have to do it without Rodgers though, who is being subbed off with a slight injury as Juan Agudelo replaces him.
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