The New York Red Bulls kick off their first of four MLS road games in September on Saturday, Sept. 2 at 9 p.m. ET (TV: UniMas, RADIO: New York Red Bulls Radio on Tunein).
With an important road match fast approaching, here are seven reasons to watch the Red Bulls take on FC Dallas.
Battle of the 2015 & 2016 Supporters’ Shield Winners
Saturday’s matchup pins New York, the 2015 Supporters’ Shield winners, against reigning Supporters’ Shield champions, FC Dallas.
The clubs have been amongst the best clubs in MLS in recent years, with both clubs finishing in first place of their respective conferences in back-to-back seasons.
The World Cup Effect
Both FC Dallas and the Red Bulls rosters will be effected by this weekend’s World Cup Qualifiers.
New York will be without three players: Kemar Lawrence (Jamaica), Michael Amir Murillo (Panama) and Fidel Escobar (Panama).
Dallas will be missing five players: Kellyn Acosta (USA), Matt Hedges (USA), Tesho Akindele (Canada), Carlos Gruezo (Ecuador) and Maynor Figueroa (Honduras).
Urruti vs. Wright-Phillips
Saturday’s head-to-head battle of Bradley Wright-Phillips and Maximiliano Urruti will be a must watch.
Urruti, the third-highest scoring forward in the West, has totaled 12 goals this season, while BWP has racked up 14.
Wright-Phillips has recorded five goals in his previous five game and hopes to continue his scoring ways in what would be a vital road victory for the Red Bulls.
Sacha Kljestan Climbing MLS Record Book
Sacha Kljestan’s 79 career MLS assists ranks as No. 13 in MLS’ regular-season all-time records.
With a helper against Dallas, Kljestan will tie Mauricio Cienfuegos and Chris Henderson for No. 11 on the list.
Kljestan has totaled seven assists against FC Dallas in his MLS career.
Recent History Favors RBNY
The Red Bulls are unbeaten (3-0-1) in their last four meetings with FC Dallas, and have outscored their opponent, 6-0.
New York is 9-9-3 all-time on the road against Dallas.
Three Points for Third Place?
With a victory in Dallas, the fifth place Red Bulls (12-10-3, 39 pts.) could potentially jump into a tie with Columbus Crew SC (13-12-3, 42 pts.) for third place.
Saturday’s match will also be an important one for seventh place Dallas (9-7-9, 36 pts.) who hope to raise themselves above the red line in the Western Conference.
Luis Robles’ Four-Game Shutout Streak vs. Dallas
New York goalkeeper Luis Robles has been perfect in four starts versus FC Dallas in his MLS career, recording clean sheets in all four games.
Robles is 3-0-1 all time against Dallas and has made 11 saves, including one penalty kick stop.
