And the sun also rises.
Robles stepped up to the task and then some, stopping everything FC Dallas threw, kicked and headed his way as he saved his first penalty kick of the season en route to a 1-0 road win at Toyota Stadium.
Needless to say, Robles was showered by compliments from his teammates and coach.
“He kept us in the game when we didn’t deserve to be still at nil-nil,” team captain Thierry Henry said.
“Luis saved us today,” head coach Mike Petke said. “It was a phenomenal save.
Robles registered his second consecutive shutout as the Red Bulls extended their unbeaten streak to four games (3-0-1). During that span, Robles has allowed only two goals.
Then again, he consistently has played at a high level, even when the Red Bulls dropped a 4-1 decision at the Vancouver Whitecaps in their season opener.
“He does it every weekend or Wednesday or whenever we play,” Henry said.
While Robles was superb during the run of play, everyone will remember his penalty save on Panamanian international striker Blas Perez after midfielder Tim Cahill pulled down Danny Garcia in the penalty area. Referee Edvin Jurisevic pointed to the penalty spot.
Robles then dived to his right to block the shot of Panamanian striker Blas Perez, who put his hands to his head in disbelief.
“Luis made a fantastic save,” Cahill said.
Robles said that he and reserve keeper Ryan Meara “were joking before that if i just keep on going one way sooner or later I would block one. So that was kind of my strategy going into it.”
“There were a couple of things that he did right before the PK that made me more confident,” Robles said. “I thought he tipped me on which side he was going to go.”
It was Robles’ first penalty save of the season after facing five previous attempts. He could not have planned his first stop any better as the Red Bulls won their first road game of the season and moved into a three-way tie for first place in the Eastern Conference.
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