The New York Red Bulls travel to Ohio for a big game against Columbus Crew SC on Saturday, September 23.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on MSG+ and New York Red Bulls Radio on Tunein.
As Saturday’s match approaches, here are seven reasons to tune in this weekend:
Bounce Back Opportunity
The New York Red Bulls suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the U.S. Open Cup Final on Wednesday against Sporting KC, but have an opportunity to bounce back with points on the road.
“I’m happy we’ve got a quick turnaround because I don’t want to be thinking about this for too long,” Bradley Wright-Phillips said on Wednesday. “We’ve got a big game Saturday…some important games coming up to get to the MLS Cup Final.”
Look for New York to come out inspired this weekend.
Crunch Time
New York begins its final stretch of the MLS regular season in Columbus as six games remain before the 2017 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
Five of their remaining six matches are against Eastern Conference opponents, including Columbus Crew SC, D.C. United (home and away), Toronto FC and Atlanta United FC.
New York faces its final Western Conference opponent, first place Vancouver Whitecaps FC, on October 7.
BWP vs. Ola Kamara
One key matchup this weekend involves forwards Bradley Wright-Phillips and Ola Kamara.
Crew SC’s striker is a man on fire, entering the weekend on a four-game scoring streak and 17 MLS goals this season.
Wright-Phillips, with 15 MLS goals this season and six in his last eight regular-season games, aims to provide the goals to lift New York above Columbus in the standings.
Six-Pointer in Standings
The sixth-place Red Bulls (12-10-6, 42 pts.) have an opportunity to leapfrog fifth-place Crew SC (13-12-5, 44 pts.) with a win on Saturday.
New York (28 Games Played) also holds two games in hand on Columbus (30 Games Played).
The top six teams of each conference qualify for the postseason.
Could Royer Make His Long-Awaited Return?
Could this be the game Daniel Royer returns to the Red Bulls lineup?
Prior to Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup Final in which Royer did not make the 18-man lineup, Head Coach Jesse Marsch said he would include the winger on the roster only, ‘if he’s 100 percent and I think he’s close.’
Royer has 10 goals this season, including six goals and one assist in the four games prior to suffering the injury on August 6.
Keep Up the Good Form vs. Columbus
New York have been at their best in games played against Columbus, with a 3-0-1 record in the regular season against the club since October 3, 2015.
The Red Bulls have also shown well at MAPFRE Stadium in recent years, with a 3-2-2 record dating back to 2012.
Last time out this season, New York defeated Columbus at Red Bull Arena on April 22, 2-0.
Lineup Changes for Third Game in Six Days?
As the Red Bulls enter their third game in a one week span, we could see some roster rotation against Columbus this weekend.
After resting starters against the Philadelphia Union last Sunday and playing a full-strength lineup against Sporting KC on Wednesday, tune in on Saturday to see how Jesse Marsch’s men line up!
