PHILADELPHIA, PA – The New York Red Bulls (8-7-6) will return to the city of brotherly love Saturday after their U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal match was postponed. Wednesday’s match against the Philadelphia Union (12-5-4) would have been their first battle this week, but the weather had other plans.
Severe weather arrived moments before the match began and it was ultimately too much for it to be played. The game as a result was moved to August 13 which is the same week the Red Bulls will face the Union again.
Speaking in his prematch press conference Friday, Red Bulls manager Sandro Schwarz reacted to what occurred Wednesday night at Subaru Park.
“To be honest, I was not frustrated,” Schwarz said. “It was tough this situation, but everything is ok.”
Wednesday was a prime opportunity for the Red Bulls to overcome a situation that they haven’t been able to tackle in recent years. New York was looking for their first win against the Union since the 2019 campaign. With the focus shifted to Saturday’s match, the Red Bulls are determined to earn a win.
Overall, the Red Bulls have not tasted victory since their May 31 contest at home vs Atlanta United. Since that match, the Red Bulls lost to Austin FC and have drawn their last three matches, resulting in only three total points.
One fact that may concern some fans is the away record for New York. The Red Bulls are 1-6-4 away from Sports Illustrated Stadium and 1-2-2 in their previous five road contests. The Union, on the other hand, have proven to be an excellent club at home, boasting of a 6-1-3 record.
For Philadelphia, the club is standing tall in the Eastern Conference and the Supporters’ Shield standings with 40 points, good for third in both. Union forward Tai Baribo has been a big part of their success this season racking up 13 goals, good for third in MLS. Schwarz was asked how his backline would defend the talented striker, but he mentioned it was more than just his defenders.
“As usual we have to defend all together and it starts then with our strikers and then it starts with our midfield players.”
Schwarz also stressed the importance of high ball pressures against the Union to create opportunities to score. If successful, New York can rely on players like Eric Choupo-Moting and Emil Forsberg to find the back of the net for them. So far this season, the two have been incredible in the attacking-third, especially Choupo-Moting who’s seventh in the league in goals (11).
Defender Sean Nealis gave praise to Choupo-Moting and emphasized how important he is in preparing to face someone like Baribo on Friday.
“What we do in practice kind of test our backline to the most and I think we’re feeling good, feeling confident going into tomorrow because of how hard we practice,” Nealis addressed the media.
New York will look to get off to a strong start as that has mattered in previous regular season matchups. In nine matches the Red Bulls have led vs Philadelphia at the half, they have come out on top seven times and drew twice according to New York Red Bulls Communications.
Kickoff between Philadelphia and New York is set for 7:30 p.m.on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+.
