The New York Red Bulls head to Portland, Oregon to take on the Portland Timbers in a Friday night match-up at Providence Park. Kickoff is set for 10 p.m. ET. (STREAM: FS1, RADIO: New York Red Bulls Radio on Tunein.)
With a nationally televised match against a Western Conference opponent upcoming, here are seven reasons to watch Timbers vs. Red Bulls tonight!
No Cooling Off These Bulls
Although the Pacific Northwest normally calls for coolers temperatures and less humidity around this time of summer, the New York Red Bulls have been on fire on the pitch as of late winning eight of their last nine matches across all competitions outscoring opponents, 25-10.
Argentines – Veron vs. Valeri
Both Gonzalo Veron and Diego Valeri call Argentina home and although four years apart in age (27 v 31), they have history squaring off against one another while playing in the Primera Division back home, Veron for San Lorenzo and Valeri for Club Atletico Lanus. Facing off in MLS, both as impact players should be fun to watch. Another fun fact is each of them have scored against top-side Boca Juniors in 2-0 wins for their clubs.
Leapfrog Possibilities
With a win Friday night, the New York Red Bulls can pull even with the Chicago Fire on points for third place in the Eastern Conference with 41 but leapfrog them in playoff positioning if the season ended today based on tiebreakers.
Debutants in Store?
New York’s newest signings Fidel Escobar, Dilly Duka and Vincent Bezecourt have yet to see the pitch for the Red Bulls and Friday could serve as just the right opportunity to make their debuts as the squad plays their third match in a span of six days. Find out pre-game when the starting XI is announced.
Sideline Geniuses
New York Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch and Portland Timbers head coach Caleb Porter have both been recipients of the MLS Coach of the Year award in years past, Porter first in 2013 and Marsch two years later in 2015.
Robles with Another Franchise Record
With a start Friday, Robles will cement his place in the RBNY history books breaking Dax McCarty’s club record of 164 MLS starts. Not to mention this will be Luis’s 154th consecutive appearance.
Another Packed Stadium
The New York Red Bulls will play in front of another expected sell-out crowd at Providence Park Friday night. This will be the fourth crowd as such in two weeks’ time with the first coming at Yankee Stadium, Sunday, August 6 for the New York Derby, then on Saturday, August 12 at Red Bull Arena for Pride Night against Orlando City SC, then on Tuesday, August 15 at Nippert Stadium for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal. The boys should have no problem getting up for this one.
