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MLS Preview: D.C. United v. New York Red Bulls
Eastern Conference rivals, both embattled in a tight playoff race, square off with more than just three points on the line.
Aug 29, 2008 1:23:12 PM
D.C. United v. New York Red Bulls
When: 7:30 pm ET
Where: RFK Memorial Stadium, Washington, D.C.
TV: FSC
The Gist: The third, and final, meeting of these two I-95 rivals on the year will settle the so-called Atlantic Cup. Each have won previous games at home -- by equal scores of 4-1! -- meaning this result will decide the series winner.
D.C. have enjoyed RFK this season, taking 24 of a possible 33 points. Having won their last three games at home, giving up just one goal in the process, United should have the advantage against a weak road team.
New York have only won once on the road, but are coming off a three-game homestand during which they took all nine points. A revamped Red Bulls lineup looks like it could have legs down the stretch, again proving coach Juan Carlos Osorio’s ability to perform miracles.
Why You Should Care: Adding to the drama of the season series ender is the fact this is a six-pointer and could be a tiebreaker should they be tied in the standings at the end of the year. Currently D.C. and New York are level on 31 points and the winner, should there be one, would jump into sole possession of fourth place in the East. Most important, depending on other results, the winner would have an eight-point cushion on the ninth-placed playoff-missing team with only eight games left to play.
D.C.’s conundrum is whether to go for a result in this game or pace themselves ahed of Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup final against the USL side Charleston Battery. However, with just one of their next four league games at home, United needs points in the standings to maintain their playoff spot.
Though Marcello Gallardo is still out -- and may be for the rest of the season -- United are finding playmakers stepping up to fill the role. Last week it was Brazilian goleador Luciano Emilio, who laid off two passes for goals. New York’s defense hasn’t given up a goal in two straight games at home, but they have given up eight in their last three road games and haven’t kept a clean sheet away from home all year.
However, this is a different New York squad. They are still without defender Gabriel Cichero (suspension), but the defense in this one only needs to hold the fort down and allow their offense to outscore their opposition. Juan Pablo Angel will be dangerous up top, but midfielder Jorge Rojas will find the going tough against United’s in-form holding midfielder, Clyde Simms. The wings could determine the game, with United holding the trump card in Santino Quaranta who scored a goal of the week candidate last week.
He’s So Hot Right Now: Joe Vide. United’s other defensive midfielder has flip-flopped coasts in the last year, but seems to have found his fit in D.C. Pairing with Simms in defensive midfield, both are capable of stepping into the attack, as Vide showed last week when he nabbed his first career MLS goal.
Prediction: D.C. United 2, New York Red Bulls 1
-- Pat Walsh, Goal.com
When: 7:30 pm ET
Where: RFK Memorial Stadium, Washington, D.C.
TV: FSC
The Gist: The third, and final, meeting of these two I-95 rivals on the year will settle the so-called Atlantic Cup. Each have won previous games at home -- by equal scores of 4-1! -- meaning this result will decide the series winner.
D.C. have enjoyed RFK this season, taking 24 of a possible 33 points. Having won their last three games at home, giving up just one goal in the process, United should have the advantage against a weak road team.
New York have only won once on the road, but are coming off a three-game homestand during which they took all nine points. A revamped Red Bulls lineup looks like it could have legs down the stretch, again proving coach Juan Carlos Osorio’s ability to perform miracles.
Why You Should Care: Adding to the drama of the season series ender is the fact this is a six-pointer and could be a tiebreaker should they be tied in the standings at the end of the year. Currently D.C. and New York are level on 31 points and the winner, should there be one, would jump into sole possession of fourth place in the East. Most important, depending on other results, the winner would have an eight-point cushion on the ninth-placed playoff-missing team with only eight games left to play.
D.C.’s conundrum is whether to go for a result in this game or pace themselves ahed of Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup final against the USL side Charleston Battery. However, with just one of their next four league games at home, United needs points in the standings to maintain their playoff spot.
Though Marcello Gallardo is still out -- and may be for the rest of the season -- United are finding playmakers stepping up to fill the role. Last week it was Brazilian goleador Luciano Emilio, who laid off two passes for goals. New York’s defense hasn’t given up a goal in two straight games at home, but they have given up eight in their last three road games and haven’t kept a clean sheet away from home all year.
However, this is a different New York squad. They are still without defender Gabriel Cichero (suspension), but the defense in this one only needs to hold the fort down and allow their offense to outscore their opposition. Juan Pablo Angel will be dangerous up top, but midfielder Jorge Rojas will find the going tough against United’s in-form holding midfielder, Clyde Simms. The wings could determine the game, with United holding the trump card in Santino Quaranta who scored a goal of the week candidate last week.
He’s So Hot Right Now: Joe Vide. United’s other defensive midfielder has flip-flopped coasts in the last year, but seems to have found his fit in D.C. Pairing with Simms in defensive midfield, both are capable of stepping into the attack, as Vide showed last week when he nabbed his first career MLS goal.
Prediction: D.C. United 2, New York Red Bulls 1
-- Pat Walsh, Goal.com
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