New York City FC vs. New Jersey Red Bulls: Match Preview

New York City FC

The last time the two teams met, NYCFC found itself on the bad end of the away match of the Hudson River Derby, falling 2-1 to the Red Bulls in a poor defensive performance. Based on the last match, you’d expect a difficult time this weekend for the boys in blue, but this team is fundamentally different from that one so many weeks ago. A weak back-line has strengthened into a consistent unit, led by the ever-improving Shay Facey, and the team has found its legs as a whole, going on the franchise’s first ever winning streak. While it still remains to be seen whether the back-line can hold up against a top finisher like Bradley Wright-Phillips, it did a marvelous job against Michael Bradley, Giovinco, and Jozy Altidore last week in Toronto, and this isn’t the same Red Bulls team from last time either.

New Jersey Red Bulls

The Red Bulls have almost the opposite story of NYCFC. A team that started off blazing hot and well put-together, they’ve fallen off the wagon hard, winning only one of their last five matches, and that only coming 1-0 against a Real Salt Lake team that played nearly half the match with nine men. They’ve struggled scoring, even on penalties, with Bradley Wright-Phillips becoming the only player in MLS history to miss two in a match when they played Vancouver, and they’ve struggled defensively in their month-long skid. All of this leads to a team sitting a mere three points above NYCFC in the tables and just barely on the edge of a playoff spot. You can bet that they’ll bring their A-game to this one, but will it be enough to halt the momentum of City?

Match Facts

• NYCFC has won their last three MLS match-ups, while the Red Bulls have lost four of their last five.
• This will be the second of three matches, with the last being held August 9th in Harrison, NJ.
• The Red Bulls concede as often as they score, both scoring and allowing 19 goals thus far.
• The Red Bulls will also likely be without midfielder Lloyd Sam, who missed Wednesday’s match against Real Salt Lake.

Injury/Discipline (O=Out, D=Doubtful, Q=Questionable, P=Probable, U=Unknown)

Philadelphia: Sam (O)

New York City FC: John (O), Taylor (O), Williams (U), Brandt (U), Calle (U), Meara (U), Shelton (U)

Discipline: Suspended- Warnings- Watson-Siriboe (NYCFC), Wingert (NYCFC), Hernandez (NYCFC)

Predictions/Projections

Projected Formation: 4-4-2

Projected Starting 11: Saunders, Allen, Facey, Hernandez, Wingert, Diskerud, Jacobson, Ballouchy, Grabavoy, Villa, Mullins

Prediction: City comes in looking to redeem themselves in front of the home crowd and have momentum on their side, I’m looking and hoping for a 3-1 win for City.

Be sure to follow Andres at @TheAndresSoto and myself @Coltons13 on twitter for everything NYCFC Fan Podcast related and NYCFC related! If you enjoyed this, please check out my own blog, Great Balls of Fire! Let’s go, NYCFC!