Head Coach Gerhard Struber will debut on the touchline in the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs -- and has selected his first Starting XI.
Struber will have Tom Barlow and Danny Royer starting up top for New York, with Caden Clark, Florian Valot, Dru Yearwood and Captain Sean Davis in the midfield.
New York will compete for the MLS Cup for the 21st time in franchise history, owning a 19-27-8 all-time mark.
New York has been held scoreless the last two trips to MAPFRE stadium, but recently took the last two-legged playoff series in 2018 with a 3-1 aggregate.
The back line of Kyle Duncan, Aaron Long, Tim Parker and Jason Pendant will start in front of Ryan Meara, in goal.
Meara will appear in his first MLS playoffs since being drafted by the club in 2012. Despite no MLS playoff appearances since arriving in New York, Meara has experience in one-and-done formats, both in USL and Open Cup. He has recorded a 8-6-3 combined record, seven clean sheets and three penalty kick saves in USL playoffs and Open Cup matches, including a 2016 USL Cup Title and a 2017 U.S. Open Cup Finals appearance.
Struber will have a full bench, and will be able to make five total substitutions in three substitution events. One additional substitute (a sixth substitute) and one additional substitution event (in addition to the five substitutions allowed during regulation) will be available to teams only if an Audi MLS Cup Playoff game goes to extra time. The sixth substitute may only be used during the two 15-minute extra time periods. The added substitution event comes in addition to the opportunities between the end of regulation and the start of the first extra time, and at half-time between the extra time periods. Clubs may carry over any unused substitution events from regulation into extra time.
Available as a sub are: Amro Tarek, Jared Stroud, Kaku, Samuel Tetteh, Cristian Cásseres Jr., Mandela Egbo, Brian White and Marc Rzatkowski. David Jensen will serve as the backup goalkeeper.
Royer heads into Saturday’s playoff match as the franchise’s active leader in games played (9), goals (4) and assists (5). Royer’s four playoff goals ranks third at New York
Coverage on MSG begins at 2:30 p.m. ET with the Red Bulls Pregame show. Steve Cangialosi will have the primary play-by-play responsibilities and will be alongside Shep Messing and Michelle Gingras.
New York Red Bulls Radio begins at 2 p.m. EST with Countdown to Kickoff, presented by Honda, hosted by Matt Harmon and Steve Jolley. Ernesto Motta will carry the Spanish play-by-play responsibilities, beginning at 2:30 p.m.
