New York Red Bulls will be missing key players going into their away game against LAFC on Saturday night at BMO Stadium. Defensively the team will be missing Andres Reyes not just for this game but the next as well as he serves a two game suspension for his red card against Chicago Fire FC. Combined with potential season-ending injuries to Peter Stroud, Serge Ngoma and Roald Mitchell, and the Red Bulls are a short-handed club looking at their best for a result out west.
LAFC have not been the powerhouse of years prior. In fact, they have been wildly inconsistent, especially defensively. The team has allowed at least a goal in their last three games and only one win over that span. At BMO, the team is undefeated in front of their fans. Denis Bouanga and Mateusz Bogusz have been a deadly combination to opposing defenses. However, their inability to put games away has also left them vulnerable to teams with a sturdier constitution.
For the Red Bulls, it will be all about getting the most of out their star players. Emil Forsberg has only one goal this season but has helped to stabilize possession on the attack. Lewis Morgan and Dante Vanzeir have been effective in front of goal with both at the top of the league in goals and assists. It will be vital for the club to find goals early and set the pace of play against a very fast LA team.
Depth will also be an issue for New York. Without Reyes the defense will rely on inexperience or out-of-place options should anything go wrong. The offensive options are also limited with Elias Manoel having little impact in games thus far this season and Corey Burke still out with an injury. Overall, the Red Bulls have more than enough to get a result but will have little room for error should something go wrong on the west coast.
PROJECTED STARTING XI:
New York Red Bulls: Coronel; Tolkin, S. Nealis, Eile, D. Nealis, Carmona, Edelman, Amaya, Forsberg, Morgan, Vanzeir
WHEN AND WHERE:
Saturday night, 10:30pm at BMO Stadium or on Apple TV
photo by Matt Kremkau