Lloyd Sam (white jersey) scored in the New York Red Bulls' 2-0 CONCACAF Champions League win over CD FAS on August 26, 2014, in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo courtesy of the New York Red Bulls)

 

HARRISON, New Jersey -- The New York Red Bulls opened their 2014/15 CONCACAF Champions League campaign on the right foot, eliminating CD FAS from the competition with a 2-0 Group 3 victory on Tuesday night.

Saer Sene scored in the 11th minute and Lloyd Sam added an insurance goal in the 70th minute at Red Bull Arena as the Salvadoran side suffered its third loss in as many matches. 

Goalkeeper Ryan Meara recorded the shutout in the Red Bulls’ first win in three all-time CCL encounters.

New York (1-0-0, 3 points) will play at group leader Impact de Montreal (2-0-0, 6 points) on September 17, while FAS (0-0-3, 0 points) will have to wait until September 24 to host the Red Bulls in its final match.

Sene, obtained in a recent trade with the New England Revolution, could not have asked for a better beginning in his first Red Bulls start, connecting for his first goal with the club.  Midfielder Ambroise Oyongo crossed the ball from the left to Tim Cahill, who headed a pass to Sene in the middle of the penalty area.  The 27-year-old slotted a 12-yard shot beyond goalkeeper Adolfo Menendez.

The Red Bulls gave themselves some much deserved breathing room with 20 minutes left in normal time.  Peguy Luyindula intercepted the ball at midfield and found Sam on the right flank. The midfielder drilled a 15-yard shot to the near post past Menendez for a 2-0 advantage.

FAS, which has lost seven consecutive CCL away matches, fell to 1-0-7 in the group stage.