A few miles east of the city that never sleeps, it was a sluggish Inter Miami backline that fell asleep as Lewis Morgan’s three-goal masterclass inspired the New York Red Bulls to a 4-0 victory about his former employers.
On a soggy, soggy day in Harrison, New Jersey, it only took three minutes for Morgan, who spent two seasons in Miami before coming here, to return to haunt his old team after a delightful connection with strike partner Dante Vanzeir .
When Dylan Nealis sent a long ball forward early on, a clever move by Vanzeir released the Scot on the edge of the area. Sergii Kryvtsov quickly tried to close the danger, but after a touch with his feet, Morgan was able to send a right-footed shot that escaped into the bottom left corner.
Miami’s young backup goaltender CJ Dos Santos, replacing Drake Callender with the team’s regular number one on international duty with the USMNT, will certainly feel like he could have done better.
As torrential rain continued to fall at the Red Bull Arena, the quality of play during the first half largely reflected the wet and slippery conditions that made life even more difficult for two depleted teams. Both teams were missing several first-team starters due to injury problems and the international break in March.
Lewis Morgan was on hand with three goals in the New York Red Bulls’ 4-0 victory over his former employer, Inter Miami.
Morgan needed just three minutes to open the scoring in a wet and soggy Red Bull Arena.
It was a miserable afternoon at the office for Luis Suárez and company without Lionel Messi
Miami’s most notable absentee was none other than Lionel Messi, deemed unfit to travel across the United States and play for his native Argentina this week.
Meanwhile, the Red Bulls were without their star player and captain Emil Forsberg, absent due to international commitment with Sweden. In a sloppy first period, especially by the visitors, too many passes were wasted. Too many centers came out high and wayward. Very few shots hit their targets.
Even the greats Sergio Busquets and Luis Suárez couldn’t work their usual magic on the driest fields. In the 16th minute, Busquets twisted and turned exquisitely in midfield before firing a pass intended for Jordi Alba straight out of play.
Shortly after, some good interplay between Busquets and Alba finally got the ball to Suárez on the edge of the area, but when he couldn’t get it out of his feet, an encouraging attack fell by the wayside.
Seconds later, Miami had the best opportunity of the afternoon. Unfortunately for coach Tata Martino, that opportunity fell to Alba; a defender barely known for his scoring prowess.
After a circular pass over the top found Suarez, a brief game of pinball ensued before the ball reached the former Spain left-back in acres of space on the left. However, Alba, guilty of leaning back while pulling the trigger, saw his shot go over the crossbar. He had missed a golden opportunity to level the process.
Miami began to up the ante midway through the first half, and it was at that point that an animated Suárez, in genuine fashion, also entered the dissent book. They say that a leopard never changes its spots…
Although the fiery Uruguayan may have been up to his old tricks, moments later he failed to live up to his fame as one of the best centre-forwards of his generation when he squandered another decent chance for the visitors.
Robbie Taylor first dispossessed Kyle Duncan inside the area, before the ball fell to Suarez, who stood on his weaker left foot and sent his shot well over the post.
However, just when it looked like Miami was growing in this game, the Red Bulls regained control and came agonizingly close to doubling their lead with two big chances, both of which fell to Vanzeir.
In a similar play to the first goal, Morgan threw the ball to Vanzeir at a tight angle inside the area, but after failing to connect correctly his attempt went wide of the post.
In the second, the Belgian, dangerous in the final third if he lacked end product, latched on to a long ball forward and beat Miami youngster Noah Allen, only to fire another shot wide after failing to square teammate Dennis Gjengaar , who had the goal open. .
Suárez was back to his old tricks after the fiery Uruguayan was booked for dissent
Morgan added his third in a four-goal rout of his former employers in New Jersey.
Red Bulls boss Sandro Schwarz reportedly lamented his team’s inability to give themselves a break at the end of the first half. Luckily for the German, Morgan was there to bite his old team again at the start of the second.
When 19-year-old Miami defender Tomás Avilés gave the ball away cheaply, the brilliant Frankie Amaya picked it up in midfield for the hosts and found Vanzier, who gave the former Miami player a shot past Dos Santos and entered from behind. from the network once again.
Amid relentless rain, the floodgates opened for New York when Vanzeir’s third assist of the game put them out of sight. Once again it was the devastating Morgan, so effective here against his former teammates, who made the most vital contribution.
After almost keeping the ball in play, the 27-year-old brilliantly beat Sergii Kryvtsov on the left and spotted his fellow leader. Vanzier then put it on a plate for 21-year-old Wiki Carmona to score and make it 3-0.
And with 20 minutes remaining, Morgan put the icing on the cake when he completed his hat-trick after an even more inventive move from Vanzeir, passing the ball to Dos Santos for the third time to seal a four-goal rout over his former club.