EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP)—Juan Pablo Angel has made a strong impression since joining the New York Red Bulls last month, scoring three goals and two assists in his last two games.
He’s not satisfied.
“I have to do well to earn the respect from my teammates,” Angel said after scoring twice and adding an assist in the undermanned Red Bulls’ record-setting 3-0 win over the Chicago Fire on Thursday night.
“It’s not about what you’ve done in the past. You have to show you can do it here. I need to have the results. I don’t want to get carried away. I still need to work.”
Teenage star Jozy Altidore also scored for the Red Bulls (5-1-2), who set an MLS record for the quickest two goals at the start of a game. And Altidore’s goal—which came just 55 seconds into the match—was the fastest goal in franchise history.
Angel then scored his first goal at 2:22, allowing the Red Bulls to eclipse the previous record of 3 minutes, which was twice achieved by DC United—once in 1997 and again in 2001.
Angel, a former star with Aston Villa of the English Premier League, closed the scoring in the 68th minute. After taking control of a loose ball in front of the net and faking Chicago defender Chris Armas, Angel easily beat goalkeeper Matt Pickens.
The shot drew praise from Red Bulls coach Bruce Arena.
“That was a class goal; I think it’s safe to say he’s done that before,” Arena said. “It’s nice to have someone with that much composure in front of the goal. He played well. He’s still getting to know us and we’re getting to know him.”
Red Bulls goalie Jon Conway had 10 saves to post his second straight shutout and the 12th of his career.
Chicago (3-4-1) had 15 shots at goal, but only one legitimate scoring chance. That came in the 56th minute, when Conway turned aside a low blast from Chad Barrett.
For the third straight match, the Red Bulls played without captain Claudio Reyna, who sat out due to a groin strain. First-string goalie Ronald Wattereus and starting defenseman Hunter Freeman both missed the game with ankle sprains.