I-95 derby. On a Friday. And it is Star Wars night. Three things that probably should not be put together because of the likelihood of hijinks/someone drinking a bit too much and wearing a Chewy costume are all going to converge tomorrow when D.C. United hosts the New York Red Bulls (7PM EST UniMas).
For those that are new to the rivalry here are the cliff notes: league’s oldest rivalry (note the word league mentioned there Cascadia friends) and perhaps one of the most heated, for years D.C. and New York was a bit one-sided until last year. Last year in five matches New York went undefeated against United winning three times and drawing twice. Of course the exclamation point on the series was the two-legged playoff which saw the Red Bulls sweep D.C.
So obviously things did not go according to plan for United last season against New York. But D.C. still is the better side at RFK Stadium, going unbeaten in their last three at home. Now mind you two of those matches were draws but points are points.
If D.C. is to get back to their winning ways on Friday night then they are going to have to make the most of their goal-scoring opportunities. Against New York City F.C. D.C. actually had a comparable number of shots (11-10) and even had more shots off target (5-7). However, the club was unable to register a single shot on target.
Finding someone to finish off opportunities created by midfielder Luciano Acosta would be a start to curing their stone-footed malaise. Although Alvaro Saborio was effective in the build-up of the attack he missed several golden opportunities in the first half to bury home the advantage. Having a healthy Fabian Espindola and Patrick Nyarko, who left the game early on Sunday due to illness will help.
D.C. may get some help from a beleaguered Red Bulls defense. The Red Bulls defense has just one shutout in ten matches (a 4-0 pasting at home of FC Dallas) and has conceded six of their eighteen goals past the eightieth minute. The team has not really recovered since the loss of Damien Perrinelle last season.
What will be interesting to see is how Aurelien Collin adjusts in his second match with the Red Bulls. Picked up two weeks ago from Orlando City SC the Frenchman put in a workmanlike performance. He worked well with fellow French center-back Ronald Zubar to keep the Purple Lions at bay but had some lapses. If Acosta and either Saborio or Espindola can find the gaps that Darwin Ceren and Cyle Larin were able to against the Red Bulls D.C. may be able to take advantage.
On the attack the Red Bulls seemed to have re-ignited Bradley Wright-Phillips’ spark. The Englishman has scored three goals in his last three matches. That the Red Bulls are also undefeated that time span is no coincidence: Wright-Phillips is the straw that stirs the drink in Harrison. Center-back Steve Birnbaum will have his hands full against BWP and the second and third flight of the Red Bulls attack that like to pick on defenses who key on Ian’s youngest son.
This will be a very difficult match for both sides. With the Red Bulls still trying to find the right mix on the back and D.C.’s inability to score it would seem that both sides have their faults. D.C.’s issues seem to be easily solved while the question still remains if Collin is the solution at center-back. With a two-game road trip upcoming United have to win this match or at least come out of it knowing that they can score goals in difficult moments.
DC United
New York Red Bulls
