Red Bull New York (7-9-5, 25 points) will host their rival the Philadelphia Union (5-10-6, 21 points) at home Saturday, and it will be an important game for both teams.
The Union, who will be visiting Sports Illustrated Stadium for the first time this season (and the 20th time overall) come into this game riding a six match unbeaten streak in MLS regular season play. This includes drawing 2-2 with the reigning MLS champs Inter Miami CF and defeating New York City FC 3-2.
Red Bull New York have not played well since the end of the World Cup pause as they have lost four of six matches since July 22. However, Michael Bradley’s team showed they could keep up with third place Chicago Fire FC in their last match, drawing 1-1 with the team led by two-time Striker of the Year (Gerd Muller award) winner, Robert Lewandowski.
Forward Eric Macim Choupo-Moting recorded an assist on midfielder Cameron Harper’s game-tying goal against Chicago on August 22 and Choupo-Moting also recorded the game-winning assist in Red Bull New York’s last match against the Union at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
The previous meeting between these two clubs took place on July 22 and the Union beat Red Bull 3-1 at Subaru Park. It was a disappointing performance for Red Bull for a myriad of reasons: it came against a rival, it came against a team that had just one win this season at the time, and it was their worst defensive performance of the second half of the season because the three goals that Red Bull gave up are the most they have given up in their previous six matches.
It’s a very positive sign that Michael Bradley’s Red Bull side has cleaned up their act defensively in the last three matches. Red Bull have surrendered just four goals across those matches which included matches against the conference-leading Nashville SC and third place Chicago Fire FC.
MLS All-Star and 18-year-old Julian Hall leads Red Bull New York with nine goals this season but has recorded just three assists since May 13 when he scored his first career hat trick. The Manhattan native has contributed five assists this season.
On the other hand, two young players have led the way for the Union since the second half began: Cavan Sullivan and Neil Pierre. The two have combined for eight goal contributions over the Union’s last six matches.
For Red Bull, tomorrow’s match against the Union is an opportunity to show that they can leverage recent performances into results that will help them stay in the playoff hunt.
For the Union, it is an opportunity to extend a six match unbeaten streak and continue to climb up the Eastern Conference standings, closer to a playoff spot.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET with coverage available on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.
