MATCH PREVIEW: Red Bulls vs. Crew SC

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MATCH PREVIEW: Red Bulls vs. Crew SC -

MATCH INFORMAITON

  • New York Red Bulls vs Crew SC
  • MAPFRE Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
  • March 28, 2015 7:30 p.m. ET (WEEK 4, MLS Game #31)
  • (MSG2 | MLS LIVE)
  • #CLBvNY


Two of Major League Soccer's original clubs face off in an Eastern Conference clash at MAPFRE Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET this Saturday as the New York Red Bulls travel to Columbus to take on Crew SC. Match coverage begins on MSG2 at 7 p.m. ET.


This match will be the first of three contests between the sides this season as the Red Bulls will head back to Columbus for a second meeting on July 4 and will host the season finale on October 3. The teams evenly split their three games a season ago with each team winning once at Red Bull Arena and the third ending in a tie at MAPFRE Stadium (formerly Columbus Crew Stadium).


LAST FIVE MEETINGS (1-2-2)

  • 5/26/13: TIE NYRB 2-2 Crew SC @Red Bull Arena (MLS Regular Season)
  • 8/10/13: LOSS Crew SC 2-0 NYRB @ MAPFRE Stadium (MLS Regular Season)
  • 4/26/14: TIE Crew SC 1-1 NYRB @ MAPFRE Stadium (MLS Regular Season)
  • 7/12/14: WIN NYRB 4-1 Crew SC @ Red Bull Arena (MLS Regular Season)
  • 10/19/14: LOSS NYRB 1-3 Crew SC @ Red Bull Arena (MLS Regular Season)


NEW YORK RED BULLS

The New York Red Bulls will be on the road for the second time this season after picking up four points through the first two matches. The squad currently sits in second place in the Eastern Conference with a game in hand of New York City FC. The Red Bulls drew their opening match on the road against Sporting Kansas City 1-1 thanks to a second half equalizing strike from midfielder Lloyd Sam. New York then put on a dominating show in their home opener against D.C. United, winning 2-0, with goals from Sam and MLS player of the week, Bradley Wright-Phillips.


New York will be without two opening day starting defenders, as Roy Miller will miss his second straight match due to an injury he picked up in training early last week.


Defender Ronald Zubar will also most likely miss Saturday's match after missing the home opener against D.C. The Red Bulls did have some good news though as midfielder Mike Grella returned to training on Wednesday after a hamstring injury forced him to miss last weekend's match.


Injury Report:

  • OUT: D Roy Miller (knee sprain)
  • QUESTIONABLE: D Ronald Zubar (slight hamstring injury)


CREW SC

Crew SC have a had a week off to think about their 2-0 victory over Toronto FC. Columbus took advantage of Toronto defender Justin Morrow being sent off just before halftime, as Crew SC went on to score two second half goals from Justin Meram and Kei Kamara.  Columbus opened the season on the road as well with a 1-0 loss to the Houston Dynamo, currently putting them in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings through two matches.


U.S. U-20 national team midfielder Romain Gall returned to the side this week after dealing with a knee injury this past month.


Wil Trapp’s Status
From The Columbus Dispatch:

Wil Trapp’s availability for Saturday’s home game against New York Red Bulls will be determined shortly before kickoff, coach Gregg Berhalter said today.


“He was limited today again, so in my opinion it’s going to be a game-time decision,” Berhalter said at the Crew’s training facility in Obetz.


Trapp, the Crew SC vice captain, suffered a calf injury March 19 when he was kicked during practice. He did not play in a scrimmage against the University of Akron, his alma mater, the following day and has been slowly working his way back into things this week.


Crew SC will be without defender Waylon Francis and midfielder Justin Meram, who will miss the match for international duty with Costa Rica and Iraq, respectively.


Injury Report:

  • QUESTIONABLE: MWil Trapp (calf)