Mike Grella is about to finish his first season with New York Red Bulls and this Sunday he broke a record of a 20-year-old league by scoring a goal only seven seconds into the game against
Philadelphia got the ball after the toss. As one of their players passed the ball back, Grella made a run for it and took advantage of a lack of concentration by the opposition to take the ball, run around 20-30 meters with it and shoot. His shot got deflected by a defender but luckily for him, that was what allowed the ball to go in.
WATCH: This is a record-setting moment in the history of the MLS
Between the initial kickoff at midfield and Grella's shot finding the back of the net, only seven seconds had gone by, establishing a new record not only for the
In between Grella's two goals, Wright-Phillips scored his 17th goal of the season right before the fifth minute. Then after the goal scored by the former Duke University player, it was Kemar Lawrence who made it 4-0 for the New York Red Bulls with his first MLS goal. Sebastien Le Toux responded for Philly scoring the only goal for his team in the tenth minute of the second half. (4-1)
It was also a big day for Lawrence
One of the happiest moment in my career so far is to score for my team.my first @MLS goal.So proud to be apart of this team#NYRB
— Kemar Lawrence#92/20 (@kemarkemar24) October 18, 2015
Now, the NYRB have clinched the number one seed in the Eastern Conference with 57 points. They are six ahead of D.C. United but with only one game to go. They are tied with FC Dallas in the Supporters Shield race, which crowns the overall winner of the league. The Red Bulls have a better goal differential (18 vs 12).
The coach had kind words for the Man of the Match
JM on @MikeGrella10: Mike's been great from day one. He's taken this chance and run with it. @jessemarsch #NYvPHI #RBNY
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) October 18, 2015
NYRB had plenty of reasons to celebrate this Sunday
Win with confidence. Congratulations on your first place finish in the Eastern Conference. #RBNY #BeTheDifference pic.twitter.com/v7kIrOnjNF
— adidas Soccer (@adidassoccer) October 18, 2015