The Red Bulls currently stand alone in fourth place in a tight Eastern Conference playoff race as they head into Saturday’s match vs. Seattle Sounders. In all competitions, the Red Bulls are unbeaten in their last nine matches at Red Bull Arena.
The Sounders enter the match on a streak of their own, having won their last five competitions. They boast a fast and lethal attack, represented best by their “big three” of Obafemi Martins and U.S. internationals Clint Dempsey and DeAndre Yedlin.
There’s plenty of quality to go around however, such as Sounders captain Brad Evans. He’s seen roles as both a midfielder and defender, and has represented the Sounders since the very first Seattle vs. New York match in 2009. In the teams’ last meeting on September 29, 2013 at CenturyLink Field, he scored from the penalty spot to earn his side a 1-1 draw. He has totaled two goals and two assists in eight MLS matches against RBNY.
New York Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke ahead of the Seattle match:
“[Seattle’s a] very good team, talent everywhere, their movement’s very very good. The relationship between Dempsey and Martins is phenomenal, and they have a strong back-line so it’s going to be our toughest game this year and it’s going to be, perhaps, one of our most important games.”
The Red Bulls, who rested their starters this week, seem fully recovered and ready for action tonight. Mike Petke announced after Thursday’s training session that a recently injured Thierry Henry, Bradley Wright-Phillips, and Tim Cahill, “all seem ready to go,” and will be available for Saturday night’s clash.
If Thierry Henry, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Obafemi Martins, and Clint Dempsey all start in tonight’s game, there will be a combined 54 MLS goals between them on the pitch. Arguably the two best striking duos in the league, the RBNY pairing has a combined 30 goals and 13 assists, while the Sounders’ forwards have totaled 24 goals and 16 assists, respectively.
Midfielder Ambroise Oyongo, who has been unavailable due to international duty with Cameroon, will also be available for RBNY for the first time since their 2-0 loss on August 31 at D.C. United.
New York Red Bulls midfielder Tim Cahill on Seattle:
“They’re going to be difficult but it’s a great test for us because hopefully it’ll be a full-house tomorrow and our fans have been buzzing the last few months so if we got a win at home against these guys, it’d be a real statement to the league.”
Saturday’s game at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ will be played at 7:30 p.m. ET (TV: NBC Sports).
Fans attending the match are advised to arrive early to enjoy a special presentation by the club and see the unveiling of a tifo prior to the game. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 7:15 p.m. For tips or further directions on how to get to the game, check out the Red Bull Arena Transportation HUB.
