Luis Robles will start in goal on Saturday in Columbus, Head Coach Jesse Marsch confirmed on Thursday following training.
"Luis is starting on Saturday," Marsch said. "We’re excited for that, it’s good to have him back. He looks really good, so it will be good to have him back.”
Robles has missed the last three MLS matches and one Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match with a knee injury. Missing those matches snapped his 183 consecutive MLS starts and full 90 streak that stretched all the way back to 2012.
"I feel great," Robles said. "I mean, the tough part is that I’ve never not felt great if that makes any sense. It’s just one of those things that wasn’t necessarily a question, of pain, it was more precaution. And now that we’ve waited the allowed amount of time, the doctors cleared me and I feel good."
In his stead, Ryan Meara has performed admirably, making his first league start since 2015. Meara allowed three goals over four matches, with two clean sheets.
"He’s played great," Robles said of Meara. "He stepped into a situation where we had some very difficult games and he helped navigate us. I know it’s going to be a huge boost to his confidence and as a teammate, as a person, in a way you just feel bad, but I’m just happy for him and that way he has been able to play and the way he has contributed in such a huge way.”
Robles will return as the Red Bulls are in the midst of five games in 15 days.
Following matches against New England and New York City, the Red Bulls take on Columbus on June 9, the Seattle Sounders at Red Bull Arena on June 13 and head to the Philadelphia Union for the fourth round of the Open Cup on June 17.
