The New York Red Bulls kick off their 2019 MLS season with a youthful Starting XI.
Taking on Columbus Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium in Ohio, the Red Bulls will swap all but three players from their previous Starting XI in Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League play.
Head Coach Chris Armas is giving Omir Fernandez his first MLS start, as the Red Bulls Academy product and Homegrown signing makes his first MLS appearance up top.
"We're going after this game, for sure," Armas said. "We understand it will be difficult, but we believe in who we're calling upon today."
Armas will also deploy a completely different midfield, with Andreas Ivan, Vincent Bezecourt, Florian Valot, Marcus Epps and Cristian Casseres, Jr. All five players did not start in the Champions League match.
Bezecourt and Valot are both returning from season-ending injuries suffered during the 2018 season, while Epps is making his Red Bull debut after being signed in the offseason.
New York will see Michael Amir Murillo start on defense, as he's suspended for the team's upcoming Leg 1 match against Club Santos Laguna in the Champions League Quarterfinals. Murillo will start alongside Amro Tarek, Aaron Long and Kyle Duncan.
Tarek is making his first appearance with the Red Bulls after being acquired in the offseason.
Luis Robles will start in goal and captain the side.
"We were very strategic in how we put the 18 together," Armas said.
New York will have a deep bench, with Kaku, Ben Mines, Sean Davis, Alex Muyl, Tim Parker and Sean Nealis available to play. Evan Louro will serve as the team's backup goalkeeper.
Bradley Wright-Phillips, Danny Royer, Marc Rzatkowski, Kemar Lawrence and Connor Lade did not travel.
Brian White was left behind due to hamstring tightness. Additionally, Derrick Etienne, Jr. continues to work back to full fitness, while Ryan Meara recovers from a torn medial meniscus that required surgery in January.
Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. ET at MAPFRE Stadium with coverage on MSG, MSG GO and New York Red Bulls Radio in English and Spanish via TuneIn, the New York Red Bulls app and NewYorkRedBulls.com. SIrius XM FC Channel 157 will also carry the match in English.
