Sounders FC is back at the summit of the MLS after a very impressive win on Wednesday. Rave Green ran the Colorado Rapids ragged with their precise passing, and will now look to do the same to the injury-ravaged New York Red Bulls this coming Sunday.
The Red Bulls are in the midst of a mini-crisis at the back, which will do them no favors as they play in the very hostile territory that is CenturyLink Field. But Bradley Wright-Phillips has the ability to win games by himself, something the Sounders know all too well.
Read on for our preview of MLS’s marquee matchup this weekend. Also, don’t forget to click here for our preview of the looming Champions League final between Barcelona and Juventus.
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Seattle Sounders FC vs. New York Red Bulls Preview
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle
When: Sunday, May 31, 10:00 PM ET
Line: New York Red Bulls +258 at Seattle Sounders FC -112, tie +230; total 2.5 – view all MLS lines
Betting on Seattle Sounders FC
Sounders FC extended its unbeaten run to three matches with a dominant 1-0 win over the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday. The win propelled the Sounders to the best record in MLS with 23 points in 12 matches.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Midfielder Marco Pappa scored the lone goal for Rave Green, who passed the Rapids to death. They had 76 percent of possession in the first half and completed 425 passes, the most completed passes by an MLS team for a single half in the last five years.
Sounders FC’s well-oiled passing game has had a positive effect on its defense, which has now kept three consecutive clean sheets. After all, the opposition can’t score if it doesn’t have the ball.
The Rave Green defense has been a very well-organized unit this season, conceding just 11 goals thus far (tied for first in MLS). Look for that stellar back line to put the clamps on a misfiring Red Bulls attack that has been shut out in its last two games, and has scored just 10 goals in 11 matches all season.
Meanwhile, the offense got an added boost with the return of striker Obafemi Martins (six goals) after a two-game lay-off due to injury. Strike partner Clint Dempsey’s streak of 10 straight games with a goal or assist was snapped last time out against Sporting KC, but he’s still having an excellent season. He’s currently tied for second in goals (seven) and tied for third in assists (five).
Martins and Dempsey will be itching to get back on the scoresheet against a possibly makeshift Red Bull back line missing its regular starters.
Sounders FC is 4-1-1 in six home games this season.
Betting on New York Red Bulls
The New York Red Bulls could use a shot of their own energy drink after they fell to another disappointing 2-0 loss to the Philadelphia Union. The Red Bulls have now just one win in their last six games (1-2-3), but are still third in the Eastern Conference.
It was a tale of two halves for the Red Bulls, who dominated the first 45 minutes and were a bit unlucky that they hit the post twice. But they were still made to rue those missed opportunities later in the second half, as their patchwork defense was finally exposed.
New York was missing starting central defender Darmien Perrinelle, who was suffering a hamstring injury. Left back Kemar Lawrence also had to exit against Colorado within half an hour with a hamstring problem of his own. With both players questionable to feature again against Seattle, the Red Bulls will have to scramble and sort out that defense against arguably the most feared strike partnership in the league.
But the Red Bulls have their own lethal weapon and game-changer in star striker Bradley Wright-Phillips. Last year’s MLS top scorer has been a little off the pace to start this season, with five goals in 10 starts. But when he scores, the Red Bulls don’t lose. They’re undefeated with three wins and one draw in the games where BWP has scored this season.
Wright-Phillips has failed to score in his last two games, but maybe a matchup with the Rave Green will rev him back into top gear. He delivered a stunning hat-trick in last year’s meeting against Seattle that led New York to a 4-1 win.
Writer’s Prediction
Sounders FC and its lethal strike partnership sinks the struggling Red Bulls, 2-0. Create a betting account now and strike a potentially profitable partnership with America’s top sportsbook.
