- New York Red Bulls vs. New York City FC
- Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ
- Sunday May 10, 2015 7:00 p.m. ET (WEEK 10, MLS Game #98)
- TV: FOX Sports 1 │ FOX Deportes │MLS Live
- #NYvNYC
SETTING THE SCENE
The New York Red Bulls host New York City FC in a historic first match at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., this Sunday May 10, 2015. The match will be broadcasted live on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes with coverage beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET.
This will be the first ever contest between the two New York clubs. Sunday's match will be the first of three between the two sides in 2015 with the next clash being played at Yankee Stadium on June 28.
The Red Bulls are coming off their first defeat of the season, a 2-1 loss on the road at the hands of the New England Revolution in Foxboro, MA last Saturday night. New York City FC was defeated at home, 3-1 by the Seattle Sounders last Sunday night at Yankee Stadium. NYRB returns to Red Bull Arena where they have gotten a result out of all four contests played there this season.
NEW YORK RED BULLS
The Red Bulls (3-1-4), remain in third place in the Eastern Conference behind New England Revolution and D.C. United after last Saturday's 2-1 defeat on the road against the first place Revolution. New York will hope to continue their fine play at Red Bull Arena this season, (2-0-2), including a three game home stand against Western Conference opponents from April 17 to April 29. NYRB defeated San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 before drawing against LA Galaxy and Colorado Rapids 1-1.
Fatigue could have had something to do with last Saturday's 2-1 road loss to the Revolution as New York was playing in their third contest in six days. Head coach Jesse Marsch also made five changes to the side that drew against Colorado Rapids mid-week. The lineup movement may have led to an early goal for New England as Charlie Davies netted after only nine minutes of play. The Red Bulls conceded again in the 60th minute before Sacha Kljestan stole one back in the 73rd after beating New England keeper Bobby Shuttleworth. New York could not score an equalizer, resulting in the squads first loss of the season through eight matches.
As most of the Red Bulls squad continues to get back to full health, the team suffered a setback as it was announced earlier this week that midfielder Sal Zizzo will miss a few months with a fractured tibia. Zizzo, who appeared in all seven matches before his injury last week, shared the left midfielder role with Mike Grella for the beginning of the season. Zizzo was picked up by NYCFC in the expansion draft at the start of the season before being traded to the Red Bulls for goalkeeper Ryan Meara who left the club on a season long loan.
As far as defenders are concerned, it seems center back Ronald Zubar will be set to make his return to the side after returning to full training this week. The Frenchman, who has not played since the first match against Kansas City, has tested his hamstring before the last few matches but has not been healthy enough to crack the game-day lineup. Fellow French defender Damien Perrinelle was rested last weekend against New England as Karl Ouimette made his first start for the club.
NEW YORK CITY FC
New York City FC (1-5-3) will look to capture their first win away from Yankee Stadium in club history after recording two draws and two losses in their first four away matches. Goal scoring has been the issue for the expansion side so far this season as the squad has only scored three goals in their last seven games, and six goals overall. New York currently sits in eighth place in the Eastern Conference with six points through nine matches.
Although the team may be struggling to find the back of the net, former New York Red Bull midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy has not had that problem so far this season. The Moroccan has scored the last two goals for the club with the first coming in a home draw against Philadelphia on April 16. His second came last weekend in a 3-1 defeat by Seattle Sounders FC. Ballouchy, who played with the Red Bulls from 2010-2012, only scored four times in 51 appearances for NYRB.
Ballocuhy is tied for the team lead in goals with Spanish striker and Designated Player, David Villa. The Spanish international has netted twice this season including once in New York's only victory, a 2-0 win against New England in NYCFC's home opener at Yankee Stadium. After missing the previous two matches against Portland and Chicago due to injury, Villa returned to the pitch last weekend against Seattle as a substitute, logging 36 minutes and registering five shots. Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch says his team is preparing as though Villa will be match fit for this Sunday's contest.
PREGAME CHATTER
#NYisRed
Bradley Wright-Phillips on the new rivalry…
"Every great league has great rivalries. Man City-Man United, Liverpool-Everton, all the big cities have those kinds of rivalries. For New York to have one, it’s going to be really good. The old enemy, D.C. that’ a nice one, we actually have a history with them, but I’m sure this one will be big for years to come.”
Jesse Marsch on preparing for the first rivalry match…
“When the schedule came out (this year) this is the first game I looked at. I’m glad it’s in our stadium. I think we can set the tone right way in Red Bull Arena and make sure to put our stamp on this for years to come. This game will be good for the league and it will be good for years to come for the city.”
Sacha Kljestan on playing for the fans…
“From a fans’ sense, I know these are huge games. It’s still early in the season so the game isn’t going to mean much whether we go into first place or make the playoffs, but every game matters and we want to prove to the fans that this game is a huge game for us and we want to win it for them.”
Dax McCarty on playing for New York City…
“It’s an important game whenever you’re playing a game in close proximity as New York City FC is. It’s definitely for bragging rights for the whole city, for the whole state, for the whole region. We feel like it’s going to be a huge game."
