New York Red Bulls vs. New England Revolution: 10 Bold Predictions

Aug 2, 2014; Harrison, NJ, USA; New England Revolution forward Patrick Mullins (7) and New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles (31) battle for the ball during the second half at Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls defeated the Revolution 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The Beasts from the East are ready to do battle in a home-and-home that will see the winner move way out West for the right to be named champions of Major League Soccer for Season 2014. Mike Petke’s New York Red Bulls slayed Ben Olsen’s D.C. United in their Eastern Conference Semifinal, while Jay Heaps’s red-hot New England Revolution ripped apart Gregg Berhalter’s Columbus Crew.

From Big Apple to Beantown, the best 180 Eastern Conference association football minutes of your life begin tomorrow with Leg 1 of the 2014 Eastern Conference Championship at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by National Broadcasting Company, better known as NBC. John Strong and Robbie Earle will have the call for you.

As for us at the MLS Multiplex, we got predictions, fresh out of the beanpot, with extra brown sugar added for flavor. Wait, do beanpots even exist in Jersey? Maybe scrapple-no wait, that’s Pennsylvania. Wrong state, we admit. Here, without further ado, are 10 Bold Predictions for Sunday’s match between the New York Red Bulls and New England Revolution.

1. At least 50 fouls and five cards

Physical play in the cold. This is just like an NFL game, only with the twist of the world game, mind. The MLS Multiplex is calling for plenty of fouls and cards. Your man in the middle for this match is Allen Chapman, and he will be calling a tight ship. Look for at least 50 fouls whistles and five cards issued.

2. A player will be sent off

In fact, we think Chapman will have a very tough game to call that he may be pulling one from his back pocket to get a rise out of one uncouth bastion of supporters. Someone will be sent off in this match.

3. Thierry Henry will score

What more do we at the Plex need to say about Thierry Henry. We talk about this being Landon Donovan’s swansong, but don’t forget about one of the greats to play for Arsenal and the Red Bulls. And Barcelona, to an extent. Henry will get on goal in the first half.

4. Bradley Wright-Phillips will score

How do you respond to being snubbed for league MVP honors? Just do your job, of course, which is to score. One of three players to record 27 goals in a single season (the others being Roy Lassiter and Chris Wondolowski), Bradley Wright-Phillips will score in the second half in what will be a wild shootout.

5. Luis Robles with at least four saves

Goalkeeper Luis Robles will have a field day in goal in the comfy confines of Red Bull Arena. The MLS Multiplex boldly predicts for at least four saves from Robles on the night.

6. Bobby Shuttleworth with at least five saves

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On the other hand, Revolution goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth is having a solid year minding the net for Heaps’s boys. Shuttleworth is boldly predicted to make at least five saves because the two-pronged attack of Henry and Wright-Phillips will be on his trail.

7. Jermaine Jones will score

The arrival of Jermaine Jones has been a spark plug for the New England Revolution. Jones’s play will be important to the success of the Revs on Sunday on the road. Watch for Jones to score in the second half.

8. Nguyening Time, once again, for Lee Nguyen

What do you get when you cross Lee Nguyen with winning? You get…Nguyening! Bad joke aside, Nguyen’s 18 goals and five assists have made him a finalist for the league MVP award, and watch for Nguyen to record another in the first half.

9. Teal Bunbury with two assists

The unsung hero for the New England Revolution has to be Teal Bunbury. A former Sporting Kansas City product, Bunbury had six assists in 2014 and will be worth watching. Bunbury will record two assists against New York.

10. This match will end in a draw, but advantage to New England

This is a match that will end in a draw, but the New England Revolution will lead on away goals. It is only fitting that Gillette Stadium, an imposing venue in its own right, will determine who will represent the Eastern Conference in the 2014 MLS Cup Final. In the meantime, enjoy this first leg, readers, it’s going to be epic.

New York Red Bulls 2, New England Revolution 2
Series tied 2-2, New England lead on away goals 2-0