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MLS Preview: D.C. United v. New York Red Bulls
I-95 rivals square off in the first installment of this year’s Atlantic Cup with both teams discover what kind of team they are.
Jun 13, 2008 7:24:31 PM
D.C. United v. New York Red Bulls
When: 7:30 pm ET
Where: RFK Memorial Stadium, Washington, D.C.
TV: HDNet
The Gist: The two teams are heading in opposite directions as United are riding a three-game unbeaten streak and New York has just one win in their last four games. They’ve fares even worse on the road.
With a win, United will not only gain bragging rights in the Northeast Corridor and an early lead in the Atlantic Cup, but they can leapfrog the Red Bulls in the East standings.
Why You Should Care: Of the four combined Designated Players on these two rosters, Luciano Emilio is the only one likely to play in this game. United’s Marcelo Gallardo is suspended for head-butting Brandon Prideaux last weekend, and New York’s Juan Pablo Angel and Claudio Reyna are listed as questionable.
New York has become accustomed to playing without Reyna, but in the absence of Angel and the recently transferred Jozy Altidore, the Red Bulls offense will be more calf-like. Should Angel, who played 90 minutes last weekend, be able to go, that will give New York some hope, considering they going against a defense that has given up a league high 23 goals. However, New York rarely scores outside the swamps of Jersey.
United has been better defensively at home, so a first clean sheet for Zach Wells in a D.C. jersey could be in the cards. The Black-and-Red’s offense will miss Gallardo’s creativity, and likely Rod Dyachenko will line up as his replacement. Jaime Moreno will also share in the playmaking duties, with Fred and Santino Quaranta trying to take advantage of their matchups on the wings.
The saving grace for New York may be the obvious advantage they have in the coaching department. United’s Tommy Soehn has been out maneuvered several times this season, while Osorio can make adjustments mid-game like few other coaches can in MLS.
He’s So Hot Right Now: Luciano Emilio. The Brazilian striker single-handedly set up D.C.’s first goal in Bridgeview last weekend, and then scored the stoppage-time winner. Emilio has shaken off his early season funk and is starting to play like the 20-goal scorer he was last year.
Prediction: D.C. United 2, New York Red Bulls 0
-- Pat Walsh, Goal.com USA
When: 7:30 pm ET
Where: RFK Memorial Stadium, Washington, D.C.
TV: HDNet
The Gist: The two teams are heading in opposite directions as United are riding a three-game unbeaten streak and New York has just one win in their last four games. They’ve fares even worse on the road.
With a win, United will not only gain bragging rights in the Northeast Corridor and an early lead in the Atlantic Cup, but they can leapfrog the Red Bulls in the East standings.
Why You Should Care: Of the four combined Designated Players on these two rosters, Luciano Emilio is the only one likely to play in this game. United’s Marcelo Gallardo is suspended for head-butting Brandon Prideaux last weekend, and New York’s Juan Pablo Angel and Claudio Reyna are listed as questionable.
New York has become accustomed to playing without Reyna, but in the absence of Angel and the recently transferred Jozy Altidore, the Red Bulls offense will be more calf-like. Should Angel, who played 90 minutes last weekend, be able to go, that will give New York some hope, considering they going against a defense that has given up a league high 23 goals. However, New York rarely scores outside the swamps of Jersey.
United has been better defensively at home, so a first clean sheet for Zach Wells in a D.C. jersey could be in the cards. The Black-and-Red’s offense will miss Gallardo’s creativity, and likely Rod Dyachenko will line up as his replacement. Jaime Moreno will also share in the playmaking duties, with Fred and Santino Quaranta trying to take advantage of their matchups on the wings.
The saving grace for New York may be the obvious advantage they have in the coaching department. United’s Tommy Soehn has been out maneuvered several times this season, while Osorio can make adjustments mid-game like few other coaches can in MLS.
He’s So Hot Right Now: Luciano Emilio. The Brazilian striker single-handedly set up D.C.’s first goal in Bridgeview last weekend, and then scored the stoppage-time winner. Emilio has shaken off his early season funk and is starting to play like the 20-goal scorer he was last year.
Prediction: D.C. United 2, New York Red Bulls 0
-- Pat Walsh, Goal.com USA
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