The New York Red Bulls seek to extend their MLS unbeaten streak to six this weekend as they face Western Conference foes Seattle Sounders.
This marks the first, and only, meeting between the two teams in 2014. Their last match was a 1-1 draw back on September 29, 2013 at a rainy CenturyLink Field.
This weekend’s match will be the second game of the week for both teams, who each travelled away for their respective North American tournaments.
The Red Bulls fielded a young squad in their 1-0 Champions League loss at Stade Saputo in Montreal on Wednesday, while Seattle captured the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title with a 3-1 victory against the Philadelphia Union after 120 minutes of play.
Saturday’s game at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ will be played at 7:30 p.m. ET (TV: NBC Sports).
Here are three players to watch ahead of this weekend’s match.
- Forward – Obafemi Martins
With 13 goals and 9 assists on the season, Obafemi Martins is one part of a deadly striking tandem for Seattle. He was used as a 60th minute substitute in their mid-week U.S. Open Cup match, and supplied Clint Dempsey with the game-winning assist in the 114th minute. He would later put the game away with a late goal of his own.
The Red Bull defense will have to figure out how to slow down Martins, who’s been on fire lately with 5 goals and three assists in his last five MLS matches.
- Forward – Clint Dempsey
U.S. National team captain Clint Dempsey has combined with Martins to create one of the deadliest striking duos in MLS. He was involved in all 120 minutes of Seattle’s U.S. Open Cup victory on Tuesday, recording the game-winning goal and an assist.
Dempsey has exemplified his abilities at the FIFA World Cup where he scored two goals, and has tallied 11 goals and seven assists in MLS this season. RBNY’s back-four will need to mark the Sounder’s DP all-night long, and disrupt his chemistry with Martins.
- Defender – DeAndre Yedlin
U.S. international DeAndre Yedlin, who also played all 120 minutes earlier this week, is a speedy outside-back that has received much European interest after three successful appearances in Brazil. He has three assists this season, including a late game-winning assist against Real Salt Lake in Seattle’s last MLS match.
Yedlin is an attacking minded defender who loves to sprint up-and-down the sidelines. He loves to create on the outside and swing in dangerous crosses to teammates. New York will need to find a way to take him out of the attack and keep him in his own end to neutralize game.
Tickets are still available for the match by calling 1.877.727.6223 or online purchase.
