The New York Red Bulls seek to extend their current unbeaten streak to four this weekend when they travel to the nation’s capital to take on rivals D.C. United. This is the second meeting of the season with United with first place in the Eastern Conference on the line. In the first Atlantic Cup matchup of the season, the Red Bulls earned a 2-0 victory against their fierce rivals in the home opener. The final match against D.C. will be held at Red Bull Arena on August 30.
Coverage of this weekend’s match between the New York Red Bulls and D.C. United at RFK Stadium will begin at 7 p.m. EDT (TV: MSG2).
New York Red Bulls
- Record: 2-0-1 (7 points, second place)
- Leading Goal Scorer: Lloyd Sam/Bradley Wright-Phillips (2)
- Assist Leader: Bradley Wright-Phillips (2)
- Saves Leader: Luis Robles (11)
D.C. United
- Record: 3-1-0 (9 points, first place)
- Leading Goal Scorer: Jairo Arrieta/Luis Silva (1)
- Assist Leader: Davy Arnaud (2)
- Saves Leader: Bill Hamid (17)
All-Time Regular Season Series
- D.C. United leads series, 33-24-9
Tactics
D.C. head coach Ben Olsen sets up his starting eleven in a flat 4-4-2 formation. The focus is primarily defending, getting behind the ball and going forward on the counter-attack. In the past, Olsen has willingly admitted that the Red Bulls are more likely to win the possession battle. D.C.’s strength is hitting back on the counter and making the most of its opportunities when they arrive. Although the counter-attack could be the key to unlocking Jesse Marsch’s attacking, “up-tempo” style of play, neither Columbus nor D.C. could effectively disrupt the Red Bulls in past weeks. United has had a poor habit of slow starts (see highlights versus Orlando City and RBNY), something the home side can ill afford against a Red Bulls team that have proven to be efficient and clinical in attack.
Who to Watch
Bradley Wright-Phillips and Lloyd Sam have been red-hot against D.C. United, but the man to watch for the Red Bulls is midfielder Sacha Kljestan. Kljestan will be playing in his fourth match for RBNY since signing on in the winter and is yet to produce a goal or an assist. He has, however, played an important role in the midfield with Felipe and Dax McCarty in maintaining possession and controlling match tempo. Look for Kljestan to try and break into the scoresheet in some form in the second matchup with D.C.
D.C. United is off to its best start since 2006 thanks in most part to the efforts of one man: goalkeeper Bill Hamid. The 2014 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year has made 17 crucial saves to guide United to three wins in four matches. Last week against Orlando City, Hamid made five saves to earn his third clean sheet of the season. Hamid will need to be equally as effective this week to stop the high-powered Red Bulls attack.
Although the play of Hamid will be crucial for D.C. success this weekend, the man to watch for United is forward Luis Silva, who made his long awaited return from injury last week. Silva was a 76th minute substitute against Orlando City and broke the deadlock with a well-struck free-kick in the 91st minute to win the game for United, 1-0. Silva had 11 goals and four assists in 2014, and should help a D.C. team that has struggled with injuries and scoring this season.
