With just one Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League group stage match remaining, the New York Red Bulls find themselves on the precipice of history.
With a result against Antigua GFC in Guatemala, the Red Bulls would progress to the knockout stages of the competition for the first time in club history. Sitting atop Group F with seven points, their mission is nearly complete.
“It’s very much the first thing on our minds right now,” midfielder Alex Muyl said after New York’s 1-0 league win over the Montreal Impact. “It’s a quick turnaround, so we have to make sure that we’re able to be as prepared as we can. We’re making sure that we keep this unbeaten streak going, not just in MLS.”
New York has navigated the competition quite well to this point, collecting two home wins and a draw while conceding just one goal over those three games. Antigua find themselves in a much more desperate situation, as the Guatemalans will have little room for error if they are to advance to the knockout stages.
Having played only two group stage matches, Antigua will need to defeat both New York and Alianza FC in their remaining two matches to give themselves any chance of continuing in the competition. But of principal importance, Antigua must first overturn the 3-0 result they suffered at Red Bull Arena on August 3.
With little time to recharge and prepare of Tuesday night’s matchup, captain Dax McCarty will be looking to lean on the depth of the squad.
“It’s the most important game of the season, that’s how we look at it.” he said told NewYorkRedBulls.com on Saturday night. “It’s a big goal of this club to make it to the knockout rounds and see how far we can take it next year. We know we need a result down there to advance, so it’s another challenge. We’ll need our depth to step up to go down there and win that game for us. It’s another big test for our character and I’m hoping we come out on top.”
Antigua currently sits in fifth place in the Liga Nacional de Guatemala Apertura standings. On the heels of two straight losses in domestic play, Antigua will be looking to get back on track on Tuesday night at the Estadio Mateo Flores in Guatemala City.
“We've got another big accomplishment that we're just knocking on the door on,” Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch said after his side’s latest league win. “We [have to] prepare ourselves for Tuesday knowing that it won't be easy going down there and that we have to find a way to advance.
“It would be a big week for our club if we could make the playoffs and solidify our [place in the] quarterfinals of the Champions League,” the head coach said. “That's our goal.”
