The New York Red Bulls can smell blood. With D.C. United wobbling of late, the Red Bulls have a glorious opportunity to make up some significant ground in the standings when they host the Eastern Conference leaders. Can an out-of-form United reverse their fading fortunes with a visit to New Jersey?
Read on for our preview of this Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash. Meanwhile, check out our preview of table-topping Manchester City’s weekend EPL matchup with Watford here.
The New York Red Bulls’ impressive six-game unbeaten run came to an end on Wednesday as they were beaten 3-2 away to the Chicago Fire. The Red Bulls had previously won five of their last six, scoring 15 goals in the process.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]The Red Bulls will look to bounce back at home, where they have been in incredible form in recent matches. They’ve won their last four home games by an aggregate score of 10-1.
Bradley Wright-Phillips went goalless against the Fire after firing home three in the first four games after the All-Star Break. He should be favored to get back on the score sheet at home, though, where he’s scored eight of his team-high 11 goals this season. Wright-Phillips scored the decisive goal in the Red Bulls’ 2-0 home win over United very early in this campaign.
Midfielder Lloyd Sam should also be eager to face D.C. United again. Sam has scored in both meetings against United this season, including a 90th minute equalizer to give New York a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw.
Meanwhile, the much-improved Red Bulls defense has been one of the best in the league this season, conceding just 28 goals in 24 games, including eight in 11 home games. Look for that unit to hold its own against a lightweight United attack that’s averaging just 1.3 goals per game, the worst among Eastern Conference playoff teams.
D.C. United crashed to its second successive defeat, going down 2-0 at home to the San Jose Earthquakes. The Black-and-Red are still five points clear atop the Eastern Conference, although the second-place Red Bulls have three games in hand.
Despite missing the goals of striker Fabian Espindola, who has just three so far, United have been able to get goals from different places. The shutout against the Earthquakes was the first time United had been held goalless in six matches. However, it should be a worrying sign for United that its main strength – the defense – has looked very suspect in recent weeks.
United’s backline has conceded at least two goals in five of its last six games dating back to before the break. The one time they didn’t concede at least two was when No. 1 goalkeeper Bill Hamid returned from a broken hand to keep a clean sheet against Montreal. Unfortunately, he conceded three against NYCFC in his very next start and is now back on the sidelines with an undisclosed injury.
With their star ‘keeper out and their offense lacking much bite, United could struggle to turn their terrible away record around against New York. United has lost six of its last 10 games away from home (2-6-2), with just five goals scored in those 10 games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Red Bulls bring down a struggling DC United team with a comfortable 2-0 home win.
