Red Bulls ready for the Fire

Now that the celebrations for Bradley Wright-Phillips moment is over, now is the time to refocus on the task at hand. The next opponent for the New York Red Bulls as they are getting ready to make a trip to Chicago and take on the Fire at Toyota Park.

As we remembered the last time the Red Bulls faced the Fire back on Saturday, April 21st they fell for the first time at home this season by a final of two goals to one as Aleksandar Katai scored a sensational volley that surprised the Red Bulls in the first half.

Then a penalty converted by Nemanja Nickolic made it two goals to nil in the second half before Bradley Wright-Phillips pulled one back, but is revenge on the mind of the Red Bulls when they will face the Fire this Saturday.

“They beat us at home and now we want to beat them at their place now.” Said Tyler Adams, “A lot of injuries for them that has thrown them off a bit. A lot of different pieces throwing around their defense, but we need guys to make some slashing runs. We need to stick to our game plan to go over there and try to earn the three points.”

it’s an amazing thing to see the Red Bulls having a undefeated streak at the home of the Chicago Fire. Ever since Toyota Park was built, the Red Bulls would either take a point or suffer a loss.

Since they won their second Supporters Shield back in 2015 at the Fire House, the Red Bulls have been undefeated for the last three seasons with a win and two draws in league play. But if you add the Wild Card win at Chicago, it’s two wins and two draws in all competitions

“I think it speaks to the culture that has been established within the organization of the last couple of years. I don’t think of any place that is a tough place to play. Back in 2014 they said that we’ve had issues at Gillette Stadium, but now we’ve won a couple of games there.” said Luis Robles.

“But I believe it’s the culture of this team it’s the natural byproduct is to win, but most important part is the mentality piece and no matter where we go we’re going to play the game that we want to play and we’re going to have the sort of impression on how we impose with our tactics.”

The Chicago Fire are coming off a bad loss to the Philadelphia Union at Talon Energy Stadium as they got eliminated in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Semi-Finals. So you would expect some form of anger by the Fire as they will try to take it out on the Red Bulls.

“Not necessarily. No, I don’t think that changed the course of their season, their is still plenty of time for them to try and get points to make the playoffs.” Said Tim Parker, “So that makes them to put more emphasis on trying to make the playoffs if they get there.”

As most of you know the story of Anatole Abang has been a strange one as Once a Metro has chronicled every situation he has been in and out of many loans. Before the MLS Summer Transfer Window closed, they brought back Abang after his time in the Romanian first division with Astra on loan.

It sounds like Chris Armas is going to give Abang another chance to prove his worth as the Red Bulls have brought Abang back to the club to give him a second chance.

“Abang has raw talent, he’s strong for a big guy, he has soft feet he has a real soccer brain. He doesn’t play as a big guy sometimes. He can play underneath a little bit, he can run and he is a graceful guy.(when Armas was an assistant.)” Said Chris Armas.

“He was a young guy who had a problem with communication, but now he can speak the language and learning the tactics of our system. Now we know he has matured a little bit and speaks english.

But now I’m talking to him and he has told me that he’s watched the club and he wants to thank Jesse Marsch, as we have sent him out on loan and it sounds like he wants to have a second chance with us and we are ready to go with him.”

So on Saturday night out in Bridgeview, Illinois, just outside of Chicago. The New York Red Bulls will get ready to take on the Chicago Fire and continue the hunt to earn the full three points and hopefully stay unbeaten.