The New York Red Bulls look to bounce back and capture their first win before the break versus the Houston Dynamo at Red Bull Arena on Saturday, March 19, at 7 p.m. ET (TV: MSG2; RADIO: Red Bulls Radio English/Spanish on TuneIn). This matchup will be the first and only meeting between the two teams this season.
Here is how the teams look after their first two games:
New York Red Bulls
- Record: 0-2-0
- Previous Match: Loss, 0-3 at Montreal Impact
- Leading Scorer: none
- Assists Leader: none
- Saves Leader: Luis Robles (6)
Houston Dynamo
- Record: 1-0-1
- Previous Match: Win, 5-0 vs. FC Dallas
- Leading Scorer: Andrew Wenger (2)
- Assists Leaders: Andrew Wenger, Will Bruin (2)
- Saves Leader: Joe Willis (9)
All-Time Regular Season Series
- New York leads series, 10-4-8
- New York has won last five home fixtures versus Houston
- New York is unbeaten at home versus Houston, 8-0-3
Scouting Report
The New York Red Bulls will try to find their groove at home on Saturday night against the Dynamo. In the past two games of the season, the Red Bulls saw their opponents frustratingly capitalize on nearly every defensive slip. This combined with the inability to find the back of the net has last season’s Supporters’ Shield winners itching to get back on track to their winning ways.
Midfielder Sacha Kljestan has had a positive effect in the past two games, creating three chances on goal per game. Last year, Kljestan tore up the stats sheet in the second half of 2015 with 13 assists and 6 goals over the last 19 regular season games. Kljestan went five straight games last season recording a goal or assist, and only once did he go back-to-back games without an point in the second half of 2015. All of these signs point to Kljestan being a serious threat for Houston to handle.
Forward Bradley Wright-Phillips is another Red Bull to keep your eye on. After a bout of missed opportunities against Toronto and frustrating saves against Montreal, Wright-Phillips seems due for a ball in the back of the net. The forward is six goals shy of becoming New York’s second all-time leading scorer, and 13 away from leading the pack as the Red Bulls’ all-time leading goal scorer. One year after the team scored the most goals in the league, expect Wright-Phillips to be the man to jumpstart the goal scoring.
In defense, Gideon Baah remains a bright spot. Despite his mistake that led to the first goal against Montreal, he had a solid first half last week and a strong game against Sebastian Giovinco and Toronto FC in the home opener. Baah has five tackles and 11 interceptions in his first two MLS games, all signs that suggest a solid showing against the Dynamo. Also on the defensive side, goalkeeper Luis Robles was nominated for MLS Save of the Week following the game against Montreal last weekend.
New York will need to keep an eye on Houston midfielder Andrew Wenger, who grabbed one goal and two assists in the Dynamo’s thrashing of FC Dallas in the Texas Derby, 5-0. Wenger has two goals and two assists on the season, leading the team in both categories, and was named MLS Player of the Week following his performance against Dallas.
Houston has had quite the goal-show in their first two games of the 2016 season, scoring three in a tie versus New England, 3-3, and their five goals last weekend. This threat will be slowed down by the injury of forward Giles Barnes who was subbed out in the first half against Dallas. Barnes had scored in Houston’s home opener.
Another damper on Houston’s offense will be the injury of Cristian Maidana, who was also injured in the Texas Derby. Maidana scored in their home opener against New England and will leave a hole to be filled in Houston’s midfield.
DaMarcus Beasley is a force to be reckoned with on defense for the Dynamo. Against Dallas he clocked four tackles, two interceptions and four clearances. Beasley was named to the MLS’s Team of the Week and Goal USA's Team of the Week.
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