The New York Red Bulls continue their two week road trip this Sunday vs. Orlando City SC. The Red Bulls are coming off a lack-luster performance which saw them lose 4-1 to the Houston Dynamo. After taking an early 1-0 lead early in the game, it quickly went down south. Houston answered within minutes, a conceded penalty, and poor defending doomed the Red Bulls.
This Sunday, the Red Bulls are taking on an Orlando side who are trying to get it going as well. Both sides have struggled to find the back of the net as well. The two combine for eight goals scored in eight games played. After a slow start to the season, both sides will be looking at this match to get them going down the right path.
New York Red Bulls vs. Orlando City SC: Three Things To Watch
The End of the 4-2-2-2
It may be safe to assume the trial for this formation is very much over. The team just doesn’t seemed geared to perform well under this shape. They simply lack the speed and the ball control to be successful in it. 2016 MLS MVP Finalist Sacha Kljestan appears to be struggling the most under this formation. Kljestan just isn’t a winger, he doesn’t have the pace to be on the flanks. The Red Bulls need to find a way to stick him back in the number 10 role where he has had his greatest success.
This weekend may very well see the Red Bulls resort back to their 4-2-3-1. However, there are other options the Red Bulls could choose formation wise.
The Red Bulls could possibly go into 4-3-1-2
This allows for the Red Bulls to keep two strikers. It also puts Kljestan back into his favored number 10 role. Felipe becomes the lone defensive mid and Daniel Royer and Derrick Etienne Jr. stay on the wings. This could easily turn into a 4-4-2 with a diamond in the midfield.
The second option is a 4-2-1-3.
A slightly modified version of the 4-2-3-1, this allows the Red Bulls to be a little more attacking. It keeps Royer and Etienne Jr. higher up the field, while allowing Sacha to still be in that central attacking role. It also keeps to two central defensive midfielders to keep the extra protection to the back line.
Scoring
The goals need to come from somebody. The Red Bulls have scored more than one goal only once in the fives games they have played so far this season. With a back line that is having its issues as well, it is more imperative that the Red Bulls score more. Frederick Gulbrandsen returning after missing last weeks match should certainly help bolster the attack. Gulbrandsen has been quite the threat for the Red Bulls despite not finding the back of the net. With Bradley Wright-Phillips finding his form, these two could be very dangerous if they can develop some chemistry.
Staying Resilient
The Red Bulls find themselves once again a midst a frustrating start to the season. However, this team is very familiar in rescuing themselves from poor starts. While frustration is high with players and supporters, it is still very early. The talent on the side is still there, unfortunately the current system is just not the right fit for the team. The Red Bulls have shown slow starts doesn’t ruin a season. They know it only takes one good performance to get the ball rolling.
Predicted Starting XI
In the end for Sunday, the Red Bulls will go back to what they know best. The 4-2-3-1 has been the bread and butter under Jesse Marsch and they will return to it once again. The team seems to be done experimenting for a while. This team needs to get their confidence back, so going back to what brought them the most success seems like a good to start. While only going with one striker, Gulbrandsen would certainly be one of the first subs off the bench.
