MATCH PREVIEW: New York Red Bulls vs. Montreal Impact

RED BULL ARENA, Harrison, N.J.
October 7, 2015 (WEEK 32, MLS GAME #318)
7:30 p.m. ET (MSG+)

NYvMTL


2015 records:

  • NY: 15-9-6; 10-3-2 at home
  • MTL: 12-12-6; 2-8-4 on the road


All-Time Series: NY is 5-2-2; 4-0-0 at home
2015: Teams played to a 1-1 draw in Montreal on


The New York Red Bulls close out a three-match home stand on Wednesday night when the Montreal Impact come to Red Bull Arena. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., with coverage on MSG+ and Red Bulls Internet Radio.


The Red Bulls (15-9-6) will look to continue the momentum from Saturday's 2-1 win over Columbus Crew SC, and cement its hold on the top spot in MLS. New York enters Wednesday tied with LA Galaxy on points atop the Supporter's Shield race, and ahead of the Galaxy by virtue of total wins. 


Red Bull Arena remains one of the toughest places to play in MLS. In addition to a 10-3-2 record at home this season, New York has the second-best home record in all of MLS since the start of 2012, going 42-9-14 for 140 points, behind only LA Galaxy's 147 points by way of a 45-10-12 record.


Lloyd Sam and Bradley Wright-Phillips provided the offense against Columbus, striking just nine minutes apart to pull New York back after an early goal from Crew SC. Sam's ninth of the season, good for second on the team, tied the game, while Wright-Phillips earned his 15th of the campaign, and sixth game-winner, to give New York all three points. Wright-Phillips is third in club history with 12 career game winning goals, one behind Thierry Henry.


Luis Robles extended his iron man streak to 102 matches against Crew SC, and made four saves to record his 15th win of the season, and 47th of his MLS career. Robles is now just one win behind Tony Meola for the all-time franchise record. Robles surpassed Meola's club shutout record earlier this season, and now has 28 to his name in a Red Bulls uniform. 


Sacha Kljestan earned an assist on Sam's game-tying goal, giving him 15 points, four goals and 11 assists, in his last 15 matches. 


Montreal enters at 12-12-6, holding onto the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference standings. The Impact saw a three-game winning streak come to an end last week with a 2-1 loss to Orlando City SC. Montreal was undefeated in six contests prior to that defeat.


Dominic Oduro and Ignacio Piatti have each scored eight for Montreal, but summer acquisition Didier Drogba has brought new life to the Impact attack, with seven goals in seven matches. 


The Red Bulls are 5-2-2 all-time against Montreal since the club joined MLS in 2012. Current Red Bulls head man Jesse Marsch coached the Impact in its inaugural season, achieving a 12-16-6 record. New York has won all four MLS matches against Montreal at Red Bull Arena, and the teams also played to a 1-1 draw last October in a CONCACAF Champions League match in Harrison.


After Wednesday, the Red Bulls have a weekend off before traveling to Toronto for a midweek meeting with Toronto FC on Wednesday, October 14.