Red Bulls ready for Atlanta without BWP

This match was circled on the Red Bulls calendar for a long time. This is the match that is being billed as the challenge of all challenges as Atlanta United is right now four points ahead of the Red Bulls for the top spot in the East and the Supporters Shield.

“It’s two teams that have specific styles and they are going after it. Last time we went into their building we won the game.” said Chris Armas, “So do they come with a little more bite and they know what’s on the line and so do we.

We can’t wait to play this game as we are so excited to face them again and we know they are ready to face us s well.”

But while the buzz is still going on for this huge match up there will be one thing missing, as we all know that Bradley Wright-Phillips will be suspended on yellow card accumulation after he earned it late in the match for swearing at the near side assistant.

“Obviously after the last game he was gutted, because of what happened but we have a lot of confidence in our guys. I know that Brad will encourage whoever steps in there and we know in the locker room who steps in there knows how we play. It’s going to be a big game and they will be ready for it.” said Luis Robles

But this doesn’t mean that the Red Bulls will be helpless or powerless, it means that everyone else will have to step up and work a bit harder to get the three points at home against a talented young side that has been dynamic since they came into the league in 2017.

The first threat is Josef Martinez as he has already captured the record for most goals scored in a season after passing Roy Lassiter, Chris Wondolowski & of course BWP as all three tied the record at 27 goals.

“There is a lot of challenges there that these guys are good and there are qualities with those guys who have a will to win. On one given team they can be on the same page and the challenge is there.” said Armas

The next threat is of course Miguel Almiron as the Paraguayan Midfield international will attack you head on and can either find a teammate for the assist or he can put the ball into the back of the net himself.

“It’s not just those guys like Almiron & Martinez are dangerous but also Julian Gressel and Tito Villalba who scored great goals in the last two games, but they are very good difference makers.” said Luis Robles.

“You look across the field and we know we are facing a very difficult opponent, those are the guys who are going to get the headlines and within a blink of an eye can change the game. So for us it’s knowing where they are at and when we get the chances we need to make some plays as well.”

Julian Gressel has made his mark on this side with the victory at home over Real Salt Lake. Then you have some of the young academy kids that have started to make an impact like Andrew Carleton and a few others. So how dynamic is Atlanta United.

“These types of games they will challenge you physically and mentally. We’ve gotten after it and those games that have been tight we’ve gone ahead. They talk about these games where everyone is expecting a big match and we will be ready for it.” said Armas.

But if the Red Bulls want to get ahead of Atlanta United in this match up then the one weakness they can exploit is their defense and Brad Guzan in goal as he has shown to have a few hiccups either for club or country.

But now it’s time to get ready for this huge match up on an early Sunday afternoon at Red Bull Arena as First and second in the east will fight it out and see if one side catches up, extends a lead or remains right where they are.