Harrison, NJ (March 21, 2015) – This Sunday the New York Red Bulls host their most intense rival, D.C. United, in their 2015 home opener. The Red Bulls are coming off a bye week after opening their 2015 account with a tough 1-1 road draw in Sporting Park, Kansas City. D.C. also is coming off a bye week after winning at home versus a Montreal Impact club with other things on their mind, namely getting one step closer to earning a berth in CONCACAF Champions League Finals.
RBNY Need to Know: D.C. United and the 2015 Red Bulls Home Opener
D.C. came out versus the Impact in very uncharacteristic form. Gone was the offensive pressure, with Fabian Espindola serving a 6 game suspension earned in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season. In the second leg, after the Red Bulls won on aggregate, eliminating United at RFK, Espindola shoved the lead official, earning him the forced vacation. New York Red Bulls were somewhat disorganized in the back, and 2014 Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips was held without a single shot, as he was played very physically by the Sporting Kansas City defense.
The Red Bulls already have players in sick bay, with right back Roy Miller suffering with a knee injury sustained in training, and centerback Ronald Zubar, who is listed by coach Jesse Marsch as day to day, who has a hamstring knock that took him out of the season opener in Kansas City.
With Miller out, sporting director Ali Curtis completed the transfer of Jamaican national Kemar Wallace from Harbor View FC. Wallace, 22, has seen time with the Jamaican National Team. “We’re delighted to be able to add Kemar to our club,” said Red Bulls sporting director Ali Curtis. “He is a promising young player with experience at a big club in Jamaica and with the national team. His style of play fits with what we’re trying to establish here.”
Marsch also had this to add, during a conference call Thursday, “The one thing about him is that he’s fearless. He’s not a guy who is intimidated by big events. He’s already played against some big players and in some big games.”
Considering that Roy Miller will be out of the lineup for the home opener and potentially out for the next match vs Columbus as well, Wallace will be expected to fit into the lineup immediately. One has to think that Curtis is not done looking for depth at that position as both Wallace and Miller may be away from the club for extended periods of time this summer with the Gold Cup tournament going on in July.
With Zubar listed as day to day, young Matt Miazga, who showed flashes of brilliance last season, peppered, of course, with some howlers resulting in opposition goals, will be expected to start in the French defender’s stead. This led to some questions, as D.C. approaches. Marsch had this to say about Miazga: “We’ve worked with him a lot in terms of how he can get better, how he can fit in tactically with what we’re doing. (because of his injury) It’s taken him a little bit more time to get up to speed, (but) any time I put him on the field I am very comfortable with what he can bring and he’s only going to get better. If it winds up being Matt, I’ll have full confidence in him.”
United has visited the New York Red Bulls 31 times, with the historical series tied at 13 wins a piece and 5 draws. D.C. has historically outscored the Red Bulls over that time, however, 50-41. No other rivalry in MLS has the same bite and rancor of this matchup and the meeting comes at a seemingly pivotal time for New York.
With the noisy neighbors across the Hudson River enjoying a temporary swell of media attention, the off season upheaval, and the negative fan reaction, it seems the Red Bulls remain at a crossroads. When questioned about the Red Bull Out campaign and the billboard approximately 300 yards away from Red Bull Arena demanding that the Austrian company sell the team to a seemingly “more interested party,” Marsch answered diplomatically. “I haven’t paid any attention to it. My focus is totally on what it’s going to take for this team to be successful,” coach Marsch stated.
Marsch continued, “I think there is going to be a response to the team. I think that is going to be the prevailing experience. That’s the future of what’s going to happen here and I believe the fans will follow.”
For a more tactical view, follow this link to a preview from DC beat writer JC Zambrano and New York Red Bulls analyst Joe Goldstein.
Want to know who Last Word SC writers picked to win the match? Take a look here.
Featured Photo: Rob Tringali/New York Red Bulls
