The New York Red Bulls had the best defense in MLS this season, allowing just 33 goals, and posting 15 clean sheets. They'll be facing off against Atlanta United FC's offense, which poured in 70 goals during the regular season.
"When I think about this team and the way that we play defense, the reason we are so successful is because we are all on the same page," Captain Luis Robles said.
Bosting an all-national team back line, with Aaron Long and Tim Parker both getting their first United States Men's National Team caps this season, while Michael Amir Murillo played with Panama in the World Cup and Kemar Lawrence has been a mainstay on Jamaica's roster for years, the Red Bulls defense has been locked down all year.
“I think in the past we have always a had a good attacking team," Bradley Wright-Phillips said. "But that is different this year because our defense, I think, all season has been the strongest part of our team and if you are not conceding goals, you are always going to have a chance to win it.”
- TICKETS: Leg 2, Nov. 29 at Red Bull Arena
With Miguel Almiron and Golden Boot-winner Josef Martinez on the other side of the ball, the Red Bulls will have their work cut out for them.
Twelve of Atlanta's 70 goals came from the spot, six more than any other club (their 14 attempts were five more than any other club). New York scored 62 times, good for fifth in the league, with four goals coming from penalty kicks.
“There has definitely been a lot of talk about how sound our defense has been this year, but what has really been really incredibly with the way we play is that defense starts from the top and if we don’t play on the same page, if all eleven guys aren’t tuned in, it all falls apart, because then the guys on the back line are straining," Robles said. "I know that they are getting a lot of accolades, Aaron Long has had a phenomenal year, Kemar Lawrence they are both named to MLS Best XI. Amir Murillo was in the World Cup this summer and he was an All-Star this summer for MLS, so those names definitely stick out."
Defensive midfielder Sean Davis, who plays the deepest position ahead of the back four, knows that all of the accolades and praise mean nothing when it comes down to the matches in the Eastern Conference Championship -- and beyond.
"The Supporter’s Shield was important to us, we want every trophy possible when we play, but we know that the most important thing is the playoffs and going for MLS Cup, something the club has never achieved so, again that was a great first step for us, but there is a long way to go," Davis said.
