Red Bulls prepare for Toronto FC

The New York Red Bulls are back at Red Bull Arena after going thru their last encounter with DC United where you saw Bradley Wright-Phillips answer every goal that DC United converted and kept Audi Field quiet inside second half stoppage time.

This time they are going to take on the defending MLS Cup Champions in Toronto FC who had a mid-week match up against Tigres of Liga MX in the very first Campeones Cup and lost to the Mexican champions three goals to one.

So we probably won’t see half the starters for Toronto FC as it will probably be Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore coming off the bench, but it might be possible to see Sebastian Giovinco start this match as he came off with Calf Cramps in the 40th minute.

Does it matter who is on the pitch in the starting 11 for Toronto? “Not really. A team that’s fallen through some hard times that has the big names like Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco. These are the big players on that team.“ Said Luis Robles.

“But when you have guys who are role players they could be stars on other teams.Guys like Victor Vazquez, Jonathan Osorio and others. They are desperate and they need the points badly.”

Since the big one goal clean sheet victory at BMO Field by Kemar Lawrence, the Red Bulls had been looking strong defensively (not forgetting the hiccup against the Crew) and edging out their opponents till the last two games where they have conceded a total of six goals and scoring three.

“This has a feeling of a trap game. We know that Toronto is a good possession team and they have good players that can play around a lot with good technique, but we play with that press style and play as fast as possible, which could set up to be a good game.“ Said Daniel Royer.

“They are dangerous and we’ve had a tough history against them. But the game at Red Bull Arena is going to competitive as two teams playing against each other with two different philosophy's. We ”

Since the hat trick by Bradley Wright-Phillips converted at DC United you wonder what his teammates thought about how BWP was able to convert his chances through just a half of a yard.

“We know if we could only repeat all the time what we say about him. What he is able to do was amazing against DC last weekend. But we can’t just allow him to shoulder everything, we as a team need to step up and do better as well.” said Royer.

The Red Bulls watched the mid-week match as the San Jose Earthquakes had a 3-1 lead and then scored to make it 4-1, but had that goal wiped out due to a hand ball that was spotted by VAR on the Quakes Magnus Eriksson before Chris Wondolowski converted.

When the amount of time it took from the hand ball to the goal and then the review wasn’t ideal, but was it the correct call and in the mind of the Red Bulls are they now a bit nervous that something like this could happen in one of their games.

“I’d rather not comment on that game, because right now it’s more about us this time of year. We will have our chance to match up against Atlanta and take points on that day and if we are really good we will have the chance to face them in the playoffs. Right now we just have to focus what’s at hand right now.” said Head Coach Chris Armas.

So right now the focus is on Toronto FC and then the following weekend, the Red Bulls will concentrate on Atlanta United. So get ready for a big match against the defending MLS Cup Champions as the Red Bulls are trying to get three points at home.