Red Bull New York and D.C. United will renew their 30-year rivalry in the 111th edition of the Atlantic Cup on Wednesday.
The Red Bulls and D.C. United rank 17th and 20th overall, respectively, in the form table, so a victory could provide a platform to push up the MLS table.
Eighth-place Red Bull New York were humbled in last Saturday’s 4-1 away defeat to CF Montréal, while ninth-place D.C. United haven’t earned a win since March 14 against Chicago Fire FC.
Dos Santos: ‘We Know What We Have To Do’
Red Bull New York defender Matthew Dos Santos is looking forward to getting his first taste of the I-95 Derby.
“It’s an exciting game, especially the rivalry,” Dos Santos said during his pre-match media availability. “It’s not something I was able to experience with the second team because they don’t have one. But as an academy player, playing against DC was always one of those games you look forward to, and it’s an exciting time of the year. So being back at home, being able to play against the rival [team] is a pleasure.”
Dos Santos believes that the Red Bulls are refocused and ready to respond with an improved performance in front of home supporters at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Wednesday.
“I’d say after looking at the video and obviously talking to the guys, we all know what we have to do,” he stated. “I’d say it’s mostly a mentality thing, like it’s just everybody being more on the same page and being ready for the other teams, good players, because every team has their pieces and their ways to score goals, and we just have to be more prepared for that and willing to do the running and the work.”
Latest Injury News for D.C. United and Red Bull New York
Unfortunately, brothers Dylan and Sean Nealis won’t be competing on opposite sides in Wednesday’s contest. Sean will miss the match due to a shoulder injury. The same goes for two D.C. United teammates winger Hakim Karamoko, who is dealing with an illness, and forward Gabe Segal will be held out due to a lower-leg injury.
For Red Bull New York, goalkeeper A.J. Marcucci remains a long-term absence after knee surgery. Defender Justin Che is getting closer to returning to match action, though head coach Michael Bradley indicated that he still needs more recovery time to be given the all-clear following his hamstring injury.
“He is making good progress,” Bradley said of Che during Monday’s pre-match press conference. “He’s back on the field. He’s still going to need a little bit of time, but he’s getting closer and closer.”
Winger Cameron Harper is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. The 24-year-old last played for the Red Bull New York first team on June 14 of last year, where he suffered a right knee injury away to Austin FC.
Harper most recently played for Red Bull II in a 2-1 shootout loss against Philadelphia Union II at MSU Soccer Park on March 22. He entered the match as a 77th-minute substitute and logged 14 minutes.
Red Bull New York Head Coach Bradley Recalls Atlantic Cup Memories
Bradley remembers what it was like to represent this club in heated Atlantic Cup contests during his early strides as a professional back when Red Bull New York was known as the New York/New Jersey MetroStars.
As a player, Bradley started twice against D.C. United in 2005. The first was a 0-0 draw at Giants Stadium on June 12, and the second was a 3-0 defeat to D.C. United at RFK Stadium on August 10, where Amado Guevara of the MetroStars and Jaime Moreno of United both were sent off.
“I understand very well that games against D.C. United always carry extra weight,” he stated. “That goes back to the very beginning of the league, and some of the games that were played between MetroStars and D.C. United.
“I am well aware that for the fans, games against DC United are really important. We’re going to step on the field at home on Wednesday night, ready to give everything we have to respond in a really strong way and give our fans a great night.”
Red Bull New York owns a 36-38-18 competitive record against D.C. United and are 7-1-2 in their last nine Atlantic Cup matches across all competitions.
Bradley Speaks of Lessons Learned From 4-1 Montréal Defeat, Red Bulls Ready To Respond
Since Saturday’s defeat, Bradley has repeatedly stated that the Montréal loss was an aberration from New York’s typical energy levels.
“[On] Saturday, Montréal was honestly the first time this year where we weren’t us,” he explained. “That was not who we are. That’s not our football, that’s not our mentality, that’s not our commitment, that’s not our intensity, that’s in some of those ways it was our worst game of the season in those ways.
“We looked at a little bit [of film], we talked about it. We went on the field, had a really good session, and again reiterated the part that no season ever goes perfect for anybody. Early in the season, the way that you can learn from days like that, that you can understand the details, understand the things that really count, that really make the difference. Those are the important lessons.
“We’re going to be ready on Wednesday night to step on the field and get back to being us and playing our way and being ready to respond in a really strong way.”
Julian Hall will look to continue a scorching hot start where he’s contributed five goals and two assists through his first eight MLS appearances this season.
Wednesday’s match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time, and Bradley will have his chance to put his stamp on this longstanding rivalry from the technical area.
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