Red Bull New York enters Sunday’s road match against Supporters’ Shield winners Nashville SC no longer in control of their playoff destiny.
A loss on Sunday will officially eliminate the Red Bulls from playoff contention.
Forward Jorge Ruvalcaba is focused on what the Red Bulls can control. If New York can win on Sunday and earn a home victory on November 7’s Decision Day against Atlanta United, combined with favorable results elsewhere, they can still qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs.
Ruvalcaba: ‘There’s No Room For Error’
“We put ourselves in a position where now there’s no room for error,” Ruvalcaba said during Friday’s press conference. “As a team, we have to understand that, realize that.
“We got two more games, two more finals, and we need to understand and go on with the mentality from minute one that we got to get the six points regardless of who we have in front. We know Nashville is a good team, but we got to go out and go for the win.”
Red Bull New York head coach Michael Bradley is calling on his squad to play with relentlessness for 90 minutes.
“It’s a good team, and it’s a big game, so we need to be at our best,” Bradley said. “Generally speaking, our ideas, our game plan will not change. We’re going to go there like we have done every game so far this season and try to go after the game.
“Try to be aggressive with the ball, against the ball. Try to put Nashville in a game that they have not been in often this year. They’ve had a really good season. They’re well coached, and so we know the challenge. But we are really excited. It’s a big game, and when you get to the end of the year, the part of playing with everything on the line, that’s exciting.”
Red Bull New York and Nashville SC Lineup and Injury News Ahead of Sunday’s Match
The Red Bulls will be without two back four regulars in Justin Che and Dylan Nealis, as well as key midfielder Ronald Donkor.
Che is dealing with a knee injury and missed the previous two matches against Inter Miami and the New England Revolution. Nealis and Donkor each picked up yellow cards in Wednesday’s 3-2 defeat in New England that triggered automatic suspensions.
Defender Julián Bazán is available for selection after serving his one-game suspension against New England.
OUT: Justin Che (knee), Dylan Nealis (suspension), Ronald Donkor (suspension)
Nashville has a fully fit squad and no suspensions.
How to Watch and Listen to Red Bull New York vs. Nashville SC
Sunday’s match is scheduled to kick off at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time and will be broadcast on Apple TV. Evan Weston will call English play-by-play alongside former Red Bull New York midfielder Dax McCarty.
Alejandro Figueredo will provide Spanish play-by-play alongside Daniel Chapela. Matt Harmon and Steve Jolley will bring the action on Red Bulls Radio starting with “Countdown to Kickoff” at 4 p.m.
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