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Played
July 11, 2010 12:30 AM BST
Red Bull Arena, Harrison, N.J.
Referee:‬ Silviu Petrescu‎
 

New York Red Bulls Vs D.C. United: Head To Head Preview

Goal.com's MLS game of the week.

By Terence Steed and Steven Streff

Juan Pablo Angel, New York Red Bulls, MLS (Getty)
On Form

Red Bulls, by Terence Steed: As a whole, the New York Red Bulls are in great form. They played well before the break and they have picked up right where they left off following the World Cup. Danleigh Borman has really matured into a realistic option at left back while Seth Stammler's stellar play in central midfield has given Hans Backe the option to allow the rest of the midfielders to venture forward more. Leading the team, captain Juan Pablo Angel is really starting to hit top form with three goals in the two games since the break.

D.C. United, by Steven Streff: It was unclear whether or not that Andy Najar's performances during the preseason would warrant D.C. signing him to the first team. After United did sign him, it was still unclear how much time Najar would see this season. All of those questions have been answered now, as the 17-year-old midfielder continues to be one of United's best performers this season. In addition to playing with the pose of a seasoned veteran at times, Najar has also managed to chip in with two goals, including the equalizer against San Jose last weekend. He is still prone to the odd mistake that you'd expect from a young player, but he is becoming more confident with each game played.

Off Target

New York: Mac Kandji, Dane Richards, John Wolyniec, Conor Chinn and Salou Ibrahim have all seen MLS minutes partnering Juan Pablo Angel. Ibrahim has produced the most with three goals in nine games. If a star forward is added by next week, those back-ups will be wishing they had done more with their chances.

D.C. United: United has still just managed to keep one clean sheet this season. It's becoming less of a problem, but only because they have started to score more goals. But if United harbors any hopes of making the playoffs at this point, clean sheets are almost a necessity. Without the consistency in the back line, however, its tough to envision United tightening the screws.

Tactics

New York: 4-4-2. Backe will keep his back four intact. The real question will be whether he starts Dane Richards on the right wing or opts to put the speedy Jamaican up top alongside Angel. Backe seems determined to partner Angel with speed so don’t be surprised if he sticks with his all center midfielder quartet of Stammler, Joel Lindpere, Tony Tchani, and Sinisa Ubiparipovic in midfield. Mac Kandji has an outside shot of returning to action after a lengthy injury.

D.C. United: Midfielder Stephen King rarely played with the Seattle Sounders before D.C. traded for him during this season. But since he arrived in the nation's capital, he has been somewhat of a revelation and has taken over for Kurt Morsink in the center of United's midfield. In addition to gelling alongside mainstay Clyde Simms, King has also become more of a threat going forward, and his wonderful pass set up Najar for the equalizer against San Jose.



Intangibles

New York: The Red Bulls must be looking forward to welcoming an I-95 rival to their new home.  They need to make the most out the home crowd as they are in the midst of another June/July with four out of five total league games on the road.

D.C. United
: Plain and simple, D.C. does not like to lose the Atlantic Cup to New York. The last time that New York held the cup was back in 2003. Since then, D.C. has dominated the rivalry, and have been known to win games in New York as well. Last season, D.C. fell behind late to New York, only to score twice in stoppage time to win 3-2, which eventually led to them capturing the Atlantic Cup once again. And there are just enough players left on this squad who would love to beat New York again, especially after losing at home to them earlier this season.

Outcome

New York: 2-0 Red Bulls. The Red Bulls are playing too well to give up anything to struggling D.C. United at home. Surprise goal from . . . Roy Miller.

D.C. United: United still haven't been able to come together as a team yet. And with New York having a chance to take the Atlantic Cup back, United won't be able to come out with a win in New York like last season. NY 2-1 D.C.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
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Head to Head
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Last Five Matches
Team News
Available Squads
18Bouna CoundoulGoalkeeper
5Tim ReamDefender
3Chris AlbrightDefender
-Sinisa UbiparipovicStriker
20Joel LindpereMidfielder
-Ibrahim SalouStriker
12Danleigh BormanMidfielder
4Carlos MendesStriker
6Seth StammlerDefender
19Dane RichardsMidfielder
-Juan Pablo AngelStriker
-Greg SuttonGoalkeeper
-Mike Petke
25Conor ChinnStriker
23Tony TchaniMidfielder
7Roy MillerDefender
32Luke SassanoMidfielder
-Macoumba KandjiStriker
1Troy PerkinsGoalkeeper
-Julius JamesDefender
18Devon McTavishMidfielder
16Jordan GrayeDefender
7Stephen KingMidfielder
-Daniel AllsoppStriker
25Santino QuarantaStriker
14Andy NajarMidfielder
5Dejan JakovicDefender
-Clyde SimmsMidfielder
13Chris PontiusMidfielder
28Bill HamidGoalkeeper
15Barry RiceDefender
-Carey TalleyDefender
6Kurt MorsinkMidfielder
17Adam CristmanStriker
17Thabiso KhumaloStriker
-Jaime MorenoStriker
Players to Watch
Juan Pablo Angel
Juan Pablo Angel
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 0
Games Goals YC RC
0 0 0 0
Andy Najar
Andy Najar
Position: Midfielder
Squad Number: 14
Games Goals YC RC
0 0 0 0
Probable Lineups
Bouna Coundoul 18
Tim Ream 5
Chris Albright 3
Sinisa Ubiparipovic 0
Joel Lindpere 20
Ibrahim Salou 0
Danleigh Borman 12
Carlos Mendes 4
Seth Stammler 6
Dane Richards 19
Juan Pablo Angel 0
Troy Perkins 1
Julius James 0
Devon McTavish 18
Jordan Graye 16
Stephen King 7
Daniel Allsopp 0
Santino Quaranta 25
Andy Najar 14
Dejan Jakovic 5
Clyde Simms 0
Chris Pontius 13
Prediction
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