The New York Red Bulls face New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Friday, April 1, at 7 p.m. ET (TV: UniMas; RADIO: Red Bulls Radio English/Spanish on TuneIn). Coming off their first win at home two weeks ago, the Red Bulls face a New England team still searching for their first win after a string of ties and a loss. This is the first of two matchups this season between the teams.
New York Red Bulls
- Record: 1-2-0
- Goals Leader: Felipe (2)
- Assists Leader: Sacha Kljestan (1)
- Saves Leader: Luis Robles (10)
New England Revolution
- Record: 0-1-3
- Goals Leaders: Diego Fagundez, Daigo Kobayashi, Chris Tierney, Charlie Davies (1)
- Assists Leader: Diego Fagundez (2)
- Saves Leader: Bobby Shuttleworth (13)
Scouting Report
The Red Bulls look to keep the momentum going after their 4-3 win against the Houston Dynamo on March 19. The bye week provided New York players a much needed rest after a strong performance against the Dynamo that saw them come back from two deficits to win, 4-3, thanks to consecutive goals from Felipe. For that reason, much of the spotlight will be on Felipe against the Revolution. The Brazilian will look to replicate his inspiring performance that lit a fire under the Red Bulls after two previous games of uncertainty.
Fans will need to keep a watch on playmaking midfielder Sacha Kljestan as well. Kljestan totaled one goal and one assist against the Dynamo, his goal being the first of the Red Bulls’ season. Mike Grella will provide energy against the Revs as well, after finding the back of the net on a deflected clearance attempt by the Dynamo. The forward will help lead the attack necessary to get past New England’s back line. Bradley Wright-Phillips, last year’s team-leading goal scorer, will be on the hunt as hard as ever to capture his first goal of the season.
In the backline, there is an air of uncertainty after Gideon Baah and Ronald Zubar were substituted off versus Houston with injuries. Despite the adversity, Connor Lade provided a spark on defense when he was called upon as a substitute. Look for Lade to supply the same energy and heart on defense against New England.
After playing to a draw with 10 men last Saturday against New York City FC, New England is still searching for their first win of the season. Left back Chris Tierney and midfielder Teal Bunbury will be the players to watch after both were named to the MLS Team of the Week. Tierney leveled the match with a free kick goal agaisnt NYCFC, in addition to serving as an important link between New England’s backline and the attack. Bunbury had a great all-around game against NYCFC, winning three interceptions, four aerial challenges and recording two shots.
Forward Charlie Davies had some frightening runs towards the end of the game, in which he nearly found the back of the net. Davies’ speed is a threat the Red Bulls back line will be well aware of heading into Friday’s clash.
Revolution playmaker Lee Nguyen is questionable for Friday after his call up to the U.S. Men’s National Team in their World Cup qualifiers against Guatemala last Friday and on Tuesday.
New England forward and former Red Bulls Homegrown Player Juan Agudelo will provide creativity in the match. Raised in New Jersey and brought into MLS by the Red Bulls, look for Agudelo to come at former club with something to prove after scoring seven goals with the Revolution last season.
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