The New York Red Bulls released their 2017 schedule today, and it is full of mouth-watering fixtures. The savage disappointment of last year’s early playoff loss has given way to an insatiable appetite to start the next attempt at scaling the wall of a mythical MLS Cup trophy. The road is thick with worthy adversaries and traps, but I found five games that already have the heart racing. NYRB’s full regular season schedule can be seen here.
VANCOUVER WHITEACPS FC
WEDNESDAY, February 22, 2017
8pm CCL
This one is a bit of a cheat, because the season won’t begin for approximately two more weeks. The historic matchup is the Red Bulls first run at winning the CONCACAF Champions league. Starting with an MLS team is about the favor they will get in the tournament.
However, this is by no means an easy game. Vancouver may have flamed out last season, but they have a solid roster missing only a few key pieces. Kekuta Manneh, out injured through the end of the 2016 season, is one of those pieces. The Whitecaps only managed to win three games for the remainder of the season after his injury.
MONTREAL IMPACT
SATURDAY, June 3, 2017
TBD MLS
This one is easy. Revenge is a dish best served cold they say. Waiting three months to face the opponent that knocked you out of the playoffs would certainly make that true. Even if the game IS in June. Montreal will also have former Red Bull Chris Duvall at right back, assuming he wins the starting role. Duvall was a revelation at right back for NY during his rookie campaign. Some inconsistency in play and injury saw his role decrease in the following years. Seeing him on the other side of the field will be a surreal but familiar experience for Red Bull Fans.
D.C. UNITED
SATURDAY, April 15, 2017
TBD MLS
The Atlantic Cup tends to produce some really fun games. Last year’s finale was a gut punch for the NY faithful, and restoring the trophy to its rightful home in Harrison would make things right. This game also kicks off the first home stand of the year. The Red Bulls will play three in a row at home, all against eastern conference opposition. Four of the opening six games are on the road, so the extended stretch at home will be good for points and confidence. There is no better way to kick a season into gear than beating up on a rival.
ATLANTA UNITED FC
SUNDAY, October 15, 2017
3pm MLS
The final home game of the season against Atlanta could be quite a game. Atlanta has been steadily putting the pieces together this offseason, and early returns are promising. They have an interesting mix of savvy MLS veterans (Jeff Larentowicz, Zach Loyd, Michael Parkhurst, Jacob Peterson), exciting designated players (Miguel Almiron, Hector Villalba, Kenwyne Jones), and a well-respected attacking coach in Gerardo “Tata” Martino. Consider that this game could be a playoff decider and the stakes will be even higher. With a summer transfer window in the middle, both teams could even add to their already exciting rosters. Yes RB fans, I called the RB roster exciting.
NEW YORK CITY FC
SATURDAY, June 24, 2017
1:30pm MLS
This one is a shoe-in. As much as it may pain the red fans, this IS a rivalry now. The moment the Red Bulls stamped out the “Smurfs” 7-0 last spring, these games took on an even more significant meaning. NYC got their first win of the series at home last year, can they get one on the road? Who will fill in for the departed Frank Lampard and Andoni Iraola? Can David Villa keep scoring goals at age 35? Will Jack Harrison continue his ascent? Will Tommy Mac? There are a lot of questions for both New York teams heading into 2017. Holding this game in June means that both teams should be rockin’ and rollin’ and in top form.
I can’t wait for the season to begin. I could have done this list as a top 36 and had all games tied for first.
Are there any games I missed? Which games are you most excited about?
