It is do-or-die time for the New York Red Bulls Sunday at Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls find themselves down 1-0 in leg two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. While not impossible, the Red Bulls certainly have a tall task facing them as they will be facing a very confident Montreal Impact team.
New York Red Bulls vs Montreal Impact Preview: Leg Two
Projected Lineup
Three Things to Watch
Bradley Wright-Phillips
Despite winning his second MLS Golden Boot in three seasons, Bradley Wright-Phillips has to be better finishing in leg two then he was in the first leg. Wright-Phillips had several occasions where he could have grabbed the Red Bulls a crucial away goal. One included a shank wide of an empty goal from inside the six-yard box. If RBNY are going to have a chance to make it into the Conference Finals, they will need BWP to return to his end of season form when he four goals in the Red Bulls final three games.
Gonzalo Veron
Whether Gonzalo Veron starts or not, the Red Bulls will need his impact one way or another. As was seen in leg one, once Veron came off the bench the dimension of the game immediately changed. Veron gave the Red Bulls width to their attack which up until his arrival in the game, had been entirely central. Veron will need to have significant time on the field in this match to keep the Montreal defense honest. Should Veron start, it would more likely then not be for Alex Muyl. While Muyl’s hustle helps the Red Bulls a lot defensively, he is lacking the offensive touch the Red Bulls need right now. Mike Grella should remain in the starting lineup, as he gives the Red Bulls much more poise and he is a far more clinical finisher.
No Need to Panic
It is more than expected that Montreal will try to park the bus and then hit on the counter attack. As long as the Red Bulls keep Montreal off the board, New York will have a shot at advancing. Worst case scenario for the Red Bulls is take the 1-0 win over 90 minutes and force extra time. With the boost they’ll have in the atmosphere of Red Bull Arena, the Red Bulls should have the energy factor on their side. This Sunday will certainly prove how much poise the Red Bulls have gained from an adversity stricken season. A quick goal for the Red Bulls and it will be game on from there.
