Gil got New England rolling in the 26th minute, sending Tajon Buchanan clear on goalkeeper Carlos Coronel with a left-footed scoop pass that cut out several RBNY defenders.
New England’s captain dished out his second helper in the 32nd minute, finding left back DeJuan Jones’ darting run behind RBNY right back Kyle Duncan.
Gustavo Bou then earned New England some breathing room following the halftime break, netting in the 51st minute after collecting a clearance that stood as Gil’s third assist.
But the Red Bulls didn’t fade away, and Patryk Klimala made it 3-1 by depositing his first MLS goal in the 53rd minute.
New York’s comeback attempts continued in the 75th minute when Andres Reyes rifled home a right-footed shot that halved the visitor’s deficit to 3-2.
The game would have assumed a different tone if RBNY midfielder Dru Yearwood’s 12th-minute curler dipped under the crossbar.