Match Preview: Red Bulls Host Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Saturday will be a homecoming for Vancouver Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson, who returns to New York to face the Red Bulls for the first time as a bench boss.
The Red Bulls organization is where Robinson, or “Robbo”, as he is often referred to, spent two years as a player and assistant coach. It is also the club that gave him a shot at coaching.
The ‘Caps continue a five game road trip at Red Bull Arena looking for their fifth road win of the season. Coming off a big 1-0 win on June 6 at LA Galaxy, Vancouver currently sits second in the Western Conference.
With a bye week behind them and Robinson opting to give his club a few extra days of rest this week, Vancouver looks poised to perform well. The break, coupled with Robinson’s special night, should give the Whitecaps a boost of energy right out of the gate.
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However, they face a motivated New York Red Bulls team looking to rekindle the flame they sparked earlier in the season when the club went undefeated in their opening seven matches.
Things have taken a tumble for the Red Bulls since then. Three straight losses forced the club down the table. They currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference.
Nonetheless, New York did win 3-0 on Tuesday in U.S. Open Cup action against the NASL’s Atlanta Silverbacks. That game marked the return of defenders Ronald Zubar and 19-year-old Matt Miazga.
The good news is that the injury that midfielder Lloyd Sam sustained in the U.S. Open Cup match against Atlanta does not appear to be serious. He has four goals and three assists for the club this season and is a major contributor in setting up the Red Bulls attack,
Even if Sam can play he may be limited. If that is the case New York will have to rely more heavily on the club’s top scorer, striker Bradley Wright-Phillips. The defending MLS Golden Boot winner has five goals in 13 games so far this season, including two game winners.
The clash between clubs also features two of the most respected goalkeepers in the league – Whitecaps’ David Ousted and Red Bulls’ Luis Robles. They both come into the match carrying the best ironman streaks in the MLS. Ousted has started 64 consecutive matches for Vancouver and Robles has started an impressive 94 straight for New York.
Vancouver will have to be sharp and focused if they hope to avoid another summer slump that seems to have become apparent within the club’s locker room over the past few years.
“I get reminded all the time of the summer months,” Robinson told MLSsoccer.com. “You’ve just got to prove people wrong. That’s what this job is all about. Whatever game you play, you want to try and win.”
The ‘Caps have won their last two contests against the Red Bulls. With three crucial points on the line, this game should not disappoint.
Game Notes:
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (8-6-2) at New York Red Bulls (4-4-5)
Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey
Game time: 7 p.m. ET, 4 p.m. PT (MLS LIVE in U.S., TSN2 in Canada)