The New York Red Bulls will host D.C. United Saturday night in the 98th MLS meeting between the two clubs, the most-played matchup in league history.
New York is winless in its past three home matches against D.C. United — a trend against all opponents this season. New York (5-3-5, 20 points) is still looking for its first home victory of the season with the threat of becoming the fourth team in league history that failed to win in its first seven home matches of a season.
D.C. United (4-6-2, 14 points) are winless in their past three games.
New York, 0-2-4 at home, returns to Red Bull Arena hoping to re-establish home-field advantage and bounce back from a 2-0 defeat at Inter Miami last Sunday. It was New York’s first road loss of the season.
The Red Bulls did defeat fellow MLS side Charlotte FC 3-1 in a midweek U.S. Open Cup match that was technically a home game despite being played at Montclair State University rather than Red Bull Arena. However, they did have home supporters backing their team as Patryk Klimala opened the scoring and provided the assist on the game-winning goal.
Dylan Nealis scored that game-winner but was quick to credit Klimala post-match.
“All credit to Patryk though,” Nealis said. “He did all the work and then just putting a simple ball across the box and you know, I was just in the right spot at the right time.”
Klimala has been instrumental for New York’s attack this season with four goals and three assists in league play. If he can play after 85 minutes Wednesday night, he will be key for coach Gerhard Struber and the Red Bulls.
For D.C. United, they look to rebound after a 2-2 draw with Toronto FC. They surrendered the tying goal in the 89th minute and only got a point despite Michael Estrada’s performance, netting a goal and an assist.
Interim head coach Chad Ashton was not happy with his team’s defensive performance after the game.
“Just us being naive,” Ashton said. “Not understanding what’s dangerous and what’s not dangerous. … Simple mistakes.”
D.C. United will be looking at Taxi Fountas to help spark their offense on Saturday as they try to snap their winless streak. In his seven games since joining the team, he has five goals and three assists in 471 minutes played.
–Field Level Media