New York Red Bulls
- Record: 17-10-6, 57 points, 1st in the Eastern Conference
- Previous Match: 4-1 win vs. Philadelphia Union, home
- Record in Last Five Matches: 3-2-0
- Leading Goal Scorer: Bradley Wright-Phillips (16)
- Assist Leader: Sacha Kljestan (13)
- Saves Leader: Luis Robles (82)
Chicago Fire
- Record: 8-19-6, 30 points, last in the Eastern Conference
- Previous Match: 4-0 loss vs. D.C. United, away
- Record in Last Five Matches: 1-4-0
- Leading Goal Scorer: David Accam (10)
- Assist Leader: Harry Shipp (8)
- Saves Leader: Sean Johnson (59)
- All time record, Red Bulls vs. Chicago Fire: 14-26-10
Scouting Chicago
Chicago’s leaky defense is the main reason for their position; they’ve conceded the joint-most amount of goals in the league (56), an average of 1.7 per game, for a goal difference of -14. Four of those were in their last match alone, and 3 of those 4 came directly from poor defensive clearances. August 2 was the last time the team recorded a shutout.
Though the Red Bulls’ usual high pressing should nicely fit to take advantage of this, they’ll have to be careful about exposing themselves to Fire counterattacks. David Accam is notably fast, as are Joevin Jones and Patrick Nyarko, and speed has proved a problem for the Red Bulls defense in the past. Though New York is not alone in that – Accam particularly has proved troublesome for most defenses, logging 10 of the Fire’s 42 goals this season, including one against the Red Bulls on September 11. Kennedy Igboananike is the Fire’s second-most prolific goal scorers with 7 this season, two of which game against the Red Bulls on Red Bulls on August 26. However, the Fire’s 24 goals have come from 452 shots, which gives them the 3rd-lowest success rate in the league (9.2%).
Finally, the Red Bulls should look out for Harry Shipp and Gilberto. Both were named to MLS Team of the Week in Week 31, Shipp for a goal and an assist and Gilberto for a goal and 7 shots. Shipp has scored a total of 3 goals this season and leads the team in assists with 8, and Gilberto has the 4th-most team goals with 4. Shipp was also ranked alongside Kemar Lawrence and Matt Miazga in MLS’ “24 Under 24.”
Red Bulls Road Rage
The strongest narrative prefacing this match is not about either of these team’s season records, strengths, or weaknesses, but about the Red Bulls’ history at Toyota Park. Since the Fire moved from Soldier Field to Toyota Park before the 2006 season, they’ve been unbeaten at home when the Red Bulls come to visit (9-0-4). And though no MLS team has been particularly strong on the road this year, the Red Bulls’ away record this season is only 5-7-4; that, coupled with the Toyota Park curse and Chicago’s winning home record of 8-7-1, means the Red Bulls will need to put up quite the fight.
But this Red Bulls team will be up for the challenge. 25 of their 60 goals have come on the road, the most road goals scored by any team in the league, and they haven’t failed to score since May 24. And though the difficult matchup will likely have them fighting to the finish, that’s ok: 28 of their goals have come in the second half, including the game-winning goal against Chicago on September 11.
Mike Grella, Lloyd Sam, and Sacha Kljestan are all tied for most Red Bulls road goals scored (4). It’s likely that Kljestan will net again in this away match, considering he’s done so in both of these teams’ last two meetings (both PKs). Grella also scored in their last meeting, shortly before halftime, on September 11, and hopefully he’ll ride last week’s 2-goal, MLS Team of the Week-awarding performance to his 5th road goal. Another Red Bull to watch for it Bradley Wright-Phillips, whose leading goal-scorer status is partly thanks to the goal he scored against the Fire in their last meeting. Last season, he scored 3 in all meetings.
