The message delivered by Red Bull New York captain Emil Forsberg couldn’t be clearer — enough is enough, it’s time to get results.
Red Bull New York enters Saturday’s match hoping to cool off Robert Lewandowski and the scorching-hot Chicago Fire, who’ve won six straight games across all competitions.
Last time out, the Red Bulls outplayed Supporters’ Shield-leading Nashville SC but were handed a 1-0 defeat via a 92nd-minute Maxwell Woledzi goal.
The Red Bulls lost consecutive matches through late, preventable goals conceded to opponents at opposite ends of the table in Nashville and cellar-dwelling Atlanta United.
Forsberg on Costly Late Defeats: ‘Enough Is Enough’
As a veteran leader, Forsberg understands that the Red Bulls shouldn’t be throwing away points late in matches, particularly beyond the midway point of the season.
“We had a good game, and this is not supposed to be happening,” Forsberg said of the Nashville defeat during Friday’s press conference. “We can’t allow ourselves to get that kind of goal against us in these kinds of games — and it cost us three points.
“I think it’s important that we feel that, that we realize that this is not acceptable for us. When we play those good games, we create those kinds of chances. We play a good game that we end up losing 1-0, and it’s been happening a lot of times now. We feel like enough is enough.”
If the Red Bulls are to remain in the playoff hunt, they’re going to need to turn things around soon. A loss against Chicago would make it five losses in six matches following the World Cup break.
Forsberg Calls for Red Bulls To Be ‘More Desperate’ To Win Games
“We’re not here to just participate — we’re here to win,” Forsberg stated. “We’re here to win every game.
“So I think it’s important that we have that feeling that we got a bit more desperate to win games. We’ve got to have that feeling that it’s not just about, yeah, we’re here, we’re doing it okay. We know we want to win games; we need to win games.
“We need to win games for the fans, for the club to improve, to get better and to win the titles. That’s why we’re here, to win. So in that sense, I think it’s very important for us to feel that as well. That’s the main thing. We’re here to win games as a team.”
Red Bull New York Must Find a Way to Contain Lewandowski
The prolific Lewandowski can feast on any mistake with his remarkable positional intelligence and his ability to score in the air and with both feet.
Lewandowski has netted three goals in five MLS matches since joining Chicago. The 38-year-old continues to be among the world’s most reliable finishers.
“In a short period of time, Lewandowski has quickly shown his quality, and I think integrated himself into a new team, into a new league in a really, really positive way,” Red Bull New York head coach Michael Bradley said.
“We obviously have huge respect for him and the career that he’s had and the quality that he still brings. Certainly, we’ll be ready to do everything we can to make the game really hard for him.”
The Red Bulls cannot afford to gift wrap chances to Lewandowski, Philip Zinckernagel and Maren Haile-Selassie. It’s unclear whether Zinckernagel will take part on Saturday, as he is dealing with a lower-body injury.
Red Bull New York and Chicago Fire FC Injury and Lineup News Ahead of Saturday’s Match
There are no changes to the Red Bulls’ availability report ahead of Saturday’s contest. Goalkeeper A.J. Marcucci remains out in his long-term recovery from knee surgery, and winger Rafael Mosquera is listed as questionable due to a thigh injury.
OUT: A.J. Marcucci (knee)
QUESTIONABLE: Rafael Mosquera (thigh)
UPDATE: 6:30 P.M. ET:
Red Bull New York announced the following starting XI:
Goalkeeper: Horvath
Defenders: Bazan, Che, Nealis, Dos Santos
Midfielders: Forsberg (C), Donkor, Mehmeti.
Forwards: Hall, Jimenez, Cowell
Subs: Benedetti, Choupo, Harper, Marshall-Rutty, McCarthy, Parker, Ruvalcaba, Sofo, Valencia.
For Chicago, André Franco, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, and Sergio Oregel Jr. have all been ruled out due to lower-body injuries.
Chris Mueller will also miss out (not due to injury). Mueller last played for Chicago in a one-minute appearance in their May 23 victory over Toronto FC.
It remains to be seen whether Zinckernagel’s lower-body injury keeps him from participating in Saturday’s match at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
OUT: André Franco (lower body)
OUT: Mbekezeli Mbokazi (lower body)
OUT: Chris Mueller (not due to injury)
OUT: Sergio Oregel Jr. (lower body)
QUESTIONABLE: Philip Zinckernagel (lower body)
How to Watch Red Bull New York vs. Chicago Fire FC: Time, TV and Stream Info
Kickoff for Saturday’s match between the Red Bulls and the Fire is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Apple TV will provide coverage in both English and Spanish.
Steve Cangialosi will be calling English play-by-play alongside match analyst Danny Higginbotham, while Diego Pessolano and Daniel Chapela will call the match in Spanish.
Matt Harmon and Steve Jolley will deliver all the action on Red Bulls Radio.
More Red Bull New York Coverage
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