Red Bull New York will look to snap a two-match losing streak when they face Orlando City SC at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday night.
Most recently, the Red Bulls lost 2-0 to Charlotte FC last Saturday despite dominating possession and time spent in the final third.
The Red Bulls outshot Charlotte 23-5 and must rediscover their sharpness in front of goal against an Orlando squad that has won two consecutive games after the arrival of star forward Antoine Griezmann.
Saturday’s Contest Features Showdown of Star Forwards Griezmann and Julian Hall
Since joining Orlando, Griezmann has scored one goal and made six key passes over 180 minutes played. His ability to drift between attacking midfielder, false 9 and main striker roles can cause problems for any defense.
“Obviously, he’s an amazing player,” Red Bull New York winger Cade Cowell said. “What he’s done in Europe, not many people have done that. He’s a great name, big name. We’re excited to play against them, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to back off and play into their game. We’re going to play our style, we’re going to come out flying and hopefully put away some chances early.”
The last time these sides met was Michael Bradley‘s first match in charge of the Red Bull first team, on February 21. Julian Hall recorded a brace in the season-opening match at Inter.co Stadium, where the Red Bulls won 2-1.
Hall recently took part in Wednesday’s MLS All-Star Game. The 18-year-old forward has notched nine goals and four assists through 17 MLS matches this season.
Triple Suspension Presents Challenge for Red Bulls
The eighth-place Red Bulls will be without key midfielder Adri Mehmeti, regularly starting winger Jorge Ruvalcaba and left-back Omar Valencia, who are all suspended due to yellow card accumulation.
“Suspensions are never ideal,” Bradley said.
“We’ve used the week in a good way. Part of what you try to do when you build a team is build in the idea that there are going to be days when certain guys are out, injured or suspended. We’re not going to let it change who we are.”
Gustav Berggren Could Reenter Starting XI
Gustav Berggren is expected to replace Mehmeti, while it’s possible that Mohammed Sofo takes Ruvalcaba’s place.
“Sofo has had really good moments this year where he’s come on and helped us,” Bradley stated. “He’s a guy who continues to work really hard in training and tries to understand the little details and the things we’re helping him with.”
Goalkeeper AJ Marcucci continues to be a long-term absence in recovery, and winger Rafael Mosquera is questionable due to a thigh injury.
UPDATE: 6:30 PM ET:
Red Bull New York announced the following starting XI vs. Orlando City SC:
Goalkeeper: Horvath
Defenders: Nealis, Bazan, Che, Dos Santos
Midfielders: Donkor, Berggren, Forsberg (C)
Forwards: Cowell, Hall, Jimenez
Subs: McCarthy, Benedetti, Harper, Marshall-Rutty, Mitchell, Parker, Sofo, Voloder, Worth
Mijahir Jiménez makes his first career MLS start.
Tenth-place Orlando will be missing defender Nolan Miller (knee) and midfielder Martín Ojeda (thigh). The same goes for Clovis Archange and Colin Guske, who are away on international duty. Midfielder Joran Gerbet (knee) is listed as questionable.
Apple TV will carry English and Spanish broadcasts of Saturday’s contest, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Callum Williams and Calen Carr will call the match in English. Sergio Ruiz and Walter Roque will provide Spanish commentary.
Matt Harmon and Steve Jolley will be on the call on Red Bulls Radio, which can be heard on the Red Bull New York app and the club’s official website.
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