The New York Red Bulls host FC Dallas Saturday night in a game between two teams enjoying nice starts to the season. Red Bulls are coming off a gut-punching 2-1 loss to Montreal and are still looking for their first home win of the year. FC Dallas are winners of three of their last four, the latest a 3-1 beating of the Colorado Rapids.
The New York Red Bulls are third in the East, FC Dallas is fifth in the West. It’s the first meeting between the teams since May 2019, 47th-all time in the regular season, so let’s take a look at how this game shapes up.
Red Bulls: Still searching for first home win of season
The big obstacle facing the Red Bulls is their home form. The fortress that was — and can still be — Red Bull Arena in Harrison has yet to witness a victory in 2022, seeing two losses and a draw. Omir Fernandez has continued his fine form when he scored last weekend, two goals so far on the year. Luquinhas made his first start as well, and Gerhard Struber noted he could in line for a longer game against Dallas.
Caden Clark will again miss out, Struber says he’s “one or two weeks” away from rejoining the group. One thing New York will look to improve upon is creating more quality chances. Very few times were they able to penetrate the opposition box, ultimately settling for aimless crosses. The offensive output from fullbacks John Tolkin and Tom Edwards/Dylan Nealis is a worry, with service to striker Patryk Klimala lacking as a result. Despite this, the Red Bulls still lead MLS in shots on target per match, big chances created, big chances missed and successful tackles per match.
Saturday night is a good chance to get right, against a fun opponent. Frankie Amaya will likely return to the starting lineup, he remains second in MLS averaging three tackles a game. The Red Bulls know they simply can’t continue to drop points at home.
Together 🔴 pic.twitter.com/csk565915o
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) April 14, 2022
FC Dallas: Unbeaten in four after sluggish start
After a slow start, FC Dallas are on the up after three wins in their last four league games. Nico Estevez has tapped into something with his players and striker Jesús Ferreira is at the heart of it. Tied for the Golden Boot lead with five goals, the American has shown his abilities as a poacher and forward play to score and also create a goal too.
Their four goals conceded is the fewest given up in the Western Conference and third lowest in all of MLS. Young Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Paes has been wonderful between the sticks with two clean sheets to his name so far. He’s been helped out by the very experienced backline of Jose Martinez and Matt Hedges, while new signing Paul Arriola knows the Red Bulls very well from his days at DC United. Also, kids such as Brandon Servania (23), Edwin Cerrillo (21) and Paxton Pomykal (22) make up a youthful and bright midfield that helped control games of late.
The youth doesn’t stop there as winger Alan Velasco (19) is a wonderful talent with a goal and two assists thus far. This team is fun, the fans have enjoyed this start so far, surprising many. It should be a fun, open game at Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls look to win at home, while FC Dallas look for their first win on the road.
• 4th fewest goals conceded (4)
• 10th best save % (78%)
• 4th best in xG minus goals allowed (+2.1)
• 4th most crosses stopped (7)
• 2nd best in crosses stopped % (14.6%)
• 7th most passes attempted (161)Happy International Goalkeeper Day. pic.twitter.com/KDVzielF0C
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) April 14, 2022
