The New York Red Bulls head to Washington, D.C. this weekend to open an Eastern Conference Semifinal series in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET, with coverage on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
Red Bulls Radio will also provide both English and Spanish play-by-play of the match via www.newyorkredbulls.com
The series, played in a two leg, home-and-home format with a winner determined by aggregate score, is a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference Semifinal. The roles were reversed last year, with the fourth-seeded Red Bulls eliminating D.C. by a 3-2 aggregate score after a 2-0 win at Red Bull Arena, and an all-important away goal at RFK, despite falling 2-1 in the second leg.
New York made one trip to D.C. this season, fighting back from a 2-0 deficit to earn a draw behind Damien Perrinelle's first MLS goal, and a stoppage-time marker from Lloyd Sam.
The Red Bulls also defeated D.C. twice at Red Bull Arena in 2015, earning a 2-0 victory over United in the home opener on March 22, and then taking another shutout, 3-0, in August.
Bradley Wright-Phillips recorded three goals and two assists against D.C. this season, including two goals and an assist in the August win. Wright-Phillips finished with 17 goals and seven assists, tying a league record for most goals over two season (44), and demolishing his previous MLS career high for assists.
Lloyd Sam had three goals in three games against D.C. this season, and was second on the team in goals this season with 10.
The Red Bulls are 2-7-2 all-time against D.C. in the playoffs, with last year's series being the first series victory over the Atlantic Cup rival in five tries.
The Red Bulls closed the season with a 6-7-4 road record, tied for the second-most road wins in MLS. New York also scored 27 goals on the road this season, and finished as the only team with a positive goal differential on the road (+2).
New York will return home to host the second leg of the series on Sunday, November 8, with kickoff time to be determined.
