Red Bulls Road Trip Begins In Cursed RFK

Overview

Seventeen winless matches on the road, in a row, for your New York Red Bulls. A five game winless streak for DC. Who will turn around their inept ways? That is the question as we head into tonights classic “Atlantic Cup” (I hate that name) derby.

Though DC is in the midst of this winless streak, they have been picking up points through some hard fought ties, keeping them within striking distance of the Chicago Fire, the current Eastern Standing kings. The Bulls, meanwhile, have put in massive effort on the field, but can’t seem to get their arms around “winning.” To make matters worse, the international calender will leave them short on talent as well.

Whats At Stake

When New York faces DC, everything is at stake. It is no secret that United has absolutely owned the Bulls this season through two meetings (US Open Cup included). So make no bones about it; DC will be happily looking to bury the Bulls season further into the abyss. The Bulls, meanwhile, can use this match as a spring board towards better fortunes with a win. Victory against your arch rivals is that much sweeter, and may be the remedy to cure the Bulls of their road woes.

Players To Watch

BIG MAC KANDJI: MLSnet.com has Mac Kandji listed as questionable for tonight’s encounter with a strained hammy. By all accounts I have heard, he will be starting regardless. Mac will be facing a tough centerback duo in Namoff and Jakovic. If one is to believe Shep Messings account of an inured Angel, that would only magnify the actions of the young Senegalese warrior. The Bulls will definitely be leaning on Kandji to open up the scoring.

LUCIANO EMILIO: Someone awoke the sleeping giant. Emilio is back to his old self, scoring five goals in eleven starts this season. With Metro Killer Ben Olsen out with a blown hammy, the reliance will be on Emilio to be no only the scorer, but the antagonist as well.

PROBABLE LINEUP:

DC United (3-5-2)

—–Emilio—Moreno—–
———Fred————
Quaranta———–Wallace
—Pontius—Simms—-
–Namoff-Jakovic-Burch–
——–Crayton———-

Red Bulls (4-5-1)

———-Angel———–
Kandji—-Celades—Richards
—Stammler-Pietravallo—-
Borman-Petke-Goldthwaite-Hall
———Conway———–

Prediction

RFK has always been unforgiving. And barring some miracle, the Bulls will likely take a very defensive stance to begin the game. If the Bulls can weather the storm that will be the first 30 minutes of the game, they may be able to come out of RFK with a tie, perhaps a win. But history says otherwise.

DC 1 – RBNY 0
Moreno

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