Get to know the matchup in Keys to the Game, presented by Honda:
Now or Never
The season is on the line for the Red Bulls against FC Cincinnati on Saturday night. A loss and the season will come to an end, but a win would put New York right on the cusp of moving on to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Luckily, the Red Bulls have been pretty great in must-win matches lately. Wins against Cincinnati, Toronto and Nashville to end the season saw New York make the playoffs, and a 5-2 win against Charlotte in the knockout wild card round saw the Red Bulls move on to this series against Cincinnati.
That now or never attitude is needed on Saturday night at Red Bull Arena.
Beware of Barreal
While Luciano Acosta is a clear choice to mark when playing against Cincinnati, Álvaro Barreal played a big role in the 3-0 victory in game one.
Two goals from the midfielder did the Red Bulls in game one. The backline can’t let that happen again.
Defend the Fortress
The Red Bulls are undefeated in three of their last four matches at home and four of their last six. In their last match at Red Bull Arena, the Red Bulls blew by Charlotte FC behind five goals.
Last season, Cincinnati ended New York’s season at RBA. With a raucous crowd dressed in red behind them, the Red Bulls will try to not have a repeat of that.
