Tag: NYCFC Red Bulls Preview

NYCFC vs Red Bulls: Preview

The season is nearly ending. Well, the regular season, that is. And if NYC don’t get their shit together then these 12 games will be the only ones left.

Frankly, it’s probably better we don’t make the playoffs. This team isn’t quite ready to compete for a title, and throwing us in the playoffs could just be depressing. Better off we have the break, flesh out who the hell is playing for this team, and figure it out.

But we also have three DP’s who aren’t getting any younger. Oh well.

Give It The Best You’ve Got

At this point, we’ve lost to the Red Bulls twice this season, quite comprehensively (in terms of quality of play) on both occasions. This derby could start becoming like Manchester United vs Man City, in the days when City were fielding such legends as Jo and Roque Santa Cruz, before the money came in. Which is ironic because they own us. Shouldn’t all this money we’ve invested have us doing better? Ah, the perils of an expansion club. As QPR know all too well, you can’t just blindly throw money at footie and expect results. But then again, QRP never had Pirlo.

Point being, let’s give ’em a run for their money. Sure, we desperately need the win, the three points, and some semblance of local dignity, but most of all we just want to play the best football we can against a side that is doing pretty well right now.

Lineups

NYRD (4-2-3-1): Robles (GK), Lawrence (LB), Miazga (CB), Perrinelle (CB), Lade (RB), Martins (CM), Dax (CM), Grella (LM), Kljestan (CAM), Sam (RM), B. Wright-Phillips (ST)

-Bradley’s brother, Shaun, could start wide, but manager Jesse Marsh has made it fairly clear that the players in this lineup have earned their place and Shaun will have to do the same.

-New DP signing Gonzalo Veron is not expected to start, but will likely come off the bench. The 25-year-old Argentine winger is an interesting prospect, with certain talent and creativity, yet his sub-par goalscoring record and injury concerns throughout the years means it will take time to convince the Red Bulls faithful that he’s worth a coveted DP slot.

-Defender Ronald Zubar is out with a quad injury.

NYCFC (4-2-3-1): Saunders (GK), Iraola (RB), Mena (CB), Facey (CB), Angelino (LB), Pirlo (CM), Jacobson (CM), McNamara (LM), Lampard (CAM), Mix (RM), Villa (ST)

-While Lampard surely doesn’t deserve a starting berth over Poku from last weekend’s performance, it’s Lampard and he’s gotta play. It’s possible we’ll see Lampard come on in a holding role as he did as a sub, thus allowing Poku to play. The issue arises, then, who’s the defensive cover in the midfield?

-Wingert’s got a hamstring problem so he won’t play. Khiry Shelton somehow is STILL injured, with a left quad problem. MAYBE he makes the bench, but don’t count on it. Oh, how we do miss him.

Final Thoughts

As mentioned eariler, this is a big game for NYC for all the obvious reasons. It’s the last Hudson River Derby of the year, so let’s hope NYC can give us something to cheer for.

PS If Ned Grabavoy plays at any point, I quit.

NYCFC vs Red Bulls: Preview

On Sunday, May 10th NYCFC will hop across the hudson river to play the Red Bulls at 7 p.m ET.

Form

Simply put, the Red Bulls are playing quality football and NYC aren’t.

Barring a recent defeat to New England, the Red Bulls were undefeated until that point.

It’s funny that NYC’s only win of the season came against the only team that has beaten the Red Bulls.

Point is, Red Bulls have a better squad, are playing better, and are a much better team. But this is a derby match. Anything can happen. If NYC go to Jersey looking for blood, the nature of this tie might make that possible.

NYC will need to go out there hungry and smartly if they want a win that could potentially kick-start their poor season.

Lineups

New Jersey(4-2-3-1) : Robles (GK), Duvall (RB), Miazga (CB), Perrinelle (CB), Lawrence (LB), Martins (CM), McCarty (CM), Grella (LM), Kljestan (CAM), Sam (RM), Wright-Phillips (ST)

-Center back Zubar could make his long awaited return from injury, which comes at a good time with Matt Miazga heading off to the U-20 World Cup with the US team.

-Winger Sal Zizzo is out with a fractured tibia, which is a shame as he was starting to put together a good run of form

-Roy Miller is also battling injury, but should make the bench

NYC (4-5-1): Saunders (GK), Williams (RB), Hernandez (CB), Wingert (CB), Brovsky (LB), Jacobson (CM), Ballouchy (CM), Mix (CM), Grabavoy (LM), Shelton (RM), Villa (ST)

-Nemec is still recovering from a left ankle strain but could make the bench.

-Hernandez looks to be ready for the start, but has been dealing with injury issues.

-Javier Calle is unlikely to make the bench as he’s still dealing with a left adductor strain.

Final Thoughts

Everyone’s excited for this one.

The MLS get to hype up a rivalry. NYC get to talk about how we actually play in NYC. The Red Bulls get to talk about how they actually play soccer.

We’re betting on a tie. While Red Bulls will be fancied for all the obvious reasons, in a game of this heat and passion, it’s likely to be a 1-1 game. But let’s hope NYC can get a win, however unlikely.

Godspeed, gents. Godspeed.