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New York Red Bulls Vs FC Cincinnati: 3 key players to watch

By Cameron Albert

HARRISON, NJ - JULY 14: Players of New York Red Bulls celebrate Daniel Royer's goal from the penalty spot during the MLS match between New York City FC and New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on July 14, 2019 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)
HARRISON, NJ - JULY 14: Players of New York Red Bulls celebrate Daniel Royer's goal from the penalty spot during the MLS match between New York City FC and New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on July 14, 2019 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images) /
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New York Red Bulls
HARRISON, NJ – JULY 14: Players of New York Red Bulls celebrate Daniel Royer’s goal from the penalty spot during the MLS match between New York City FC and New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on July 14, 2019 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images) /

The New York Red Bulls begin their 2020 MLS season by hosting FC Cincinnati at Red Bull Arena. Here are three key players to watch on Sunday afternoon.

The New York Red Bulls enter the 2020 MLS season in one of the most interesting positions in the team’s history. Club legends Bradley Wright-Phillips and Luis Robles saw their time in Harrison end, moving to LAFC and Inter Miami respectively, while it is hoped that NYRB II stars Jared Stroud, Chris Lema and John Tolkin can step up and deliver.

Much of the offseason work was unpopular amongst Red Bulls fans, who were looking for big-name replacements. Considering the talent the team has produced in the past, it seems too early to count New York out, but questions regarding their overall talent are fair.

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A home game against FC Cincinnati, last season’s lowest finishing team, is an ideal way for Chris Armas and company to kick off the 2020 season. There are a lot of questions about the team’s roster, front office decisions and the head coaching position, but if the Red Bulls can pull of a convincing win this weekend, it’ll be hard for fans not to be content.

Here are three players who must have a big opening day on Sunday for the New York Red Bulls to find success.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 15: Sean Davis #27 of New York Red Bulls intercepts a pass during the match against the Seattle Sounders at CenturyLink Field on September 15, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Sounders top the New York Red Bulls 4-2. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 15: Sean Davis #27 of New York Red Bulls intercepts a pass during the match against the Seattle Sounders at CenturyLink Field on September 15, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Sounders top the New York Red Bulls 4-2. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

3. Sean Davis

Announced as the captain of the New York Red Bulls for the 2020 season, Sean Davis has a much larger role than most expected this season. Davis succeeds the likes of Luis Robles, Sacha Kljestan and Dax McCarthy as the next leader of the team.

The first homegrown captain in team history, Davis will have more eyeballs on him than normal this Sunday. In a midfield that will be competitive for the entirety of the season, it’s Davis’ job to get the most out of the several options Chris Armas has in the middle of the park.

This starts on Sunday when Davis shares the field with FC Cincinnati’s revamped roster. It’s unsure if Jurgen Locadia or Siem de Jong will be in action, but Yuya Kubo and Adrien Regattin will surely be looking to get on the scoresheet on their club debuts. Let’s not forget Cincinnati signed one of the biggest pieces of the Philadelphia Union’s 2019 playoff team, Haris Medunjanin. It will be Sean Davis’ responsibility to keep him quiet.

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