Red Bulls getting ready for FC Cincinnati

As certain news has come across the wire this week, both stories have their own intrest with two seperate people. As we learned this past Monday, Sporting Director Denis Hamlet has informed the media and the supporters on the reports that Thierry Henry coming over to replace Chris Armas were false.

Now you have the fate of Kaku being dealt, as he will serve an additional two matches, for his smashing of the ball into the stands of Children’s Mercy Park two weekends ago. That makes it a grand total of three games, that Kaku will miss and has already missed one due to the Red Card he got and served at the New England Revolution.

“We thought something was coming because there was a delay, on the information back and we will miss him for two more games.” said Chris Armas “We’re prepared for it either way, to have him available for this one.

“Now we will not have him, but we will keep pushing forward. He’s been great at training, his attitude has been right. He has been helpful at training and he will continue to help in training and continuing to bring himself along.”

But now that these matters have been put behind the club, and they will wait for Kaku’s return in the midweek match up against the Montreal Impact on Wednesday, May 8th. The New York Red Bulls can concentrate on their next match, and it will be the first time they will face this club in league action as they will host FC Cincinnati.

The last time these two sides faced each other was in the 2017 edition of the US Open Cup, as the Red Bulls traveled to Nippert Stadium on the campus of the University of Cincinnati. They were down two goals to nil until a big comeback was planned within three minutes inside the final fifteen.

Goals scored by Gonzalo Veron and a brace by Bradley Wright-Phillips, as the second goal was scored inside first half extra time, which led them to reach the finals for the second time in club history at Sporting Kansas City.

“We knew they had a good team and they are really hard to play against as they were great at home.” said Ryan Meara “The big reason for that is the crowd was behind them and they were sold out. Once they scored the first goal, they were roaring the whole game.

“We were all happy to see them get an MLS franchise, because those are the cities you want to come into the league. Watching some of their games so far the crowd has looked even crazier.”

But now FC Cincy comes in as an opponent in their first season in Major League Soccer, as they have retooled the club with some MLS talent as well as some who they brought over from their days in the USL.

How dangerous of a side has FC Cincinnati become within their first eight games of their MLS existence? So far they have won twice and drawn twice for eight points and earned that huge first home win in MLS at Nippert against the Portland Timbers.

“We’re expecting a team that is dangerous, and can play well at home, on the road, they can possess the ball.” said Armas “Their built for transition as well, they have some different attackers that can challenge against any team in the league.

“I’ve watched them do it against LAFC, where they have moments where you don’t take care of that, if they hurt you then they will hurt you this year. Alan (Koch) is a tough challenge straight away.

Expansion is not easy, he has pieced together a nice team, they have a clear identity, we can’t wait to face them on Saturday Night.”

They will meet against former New York Red Bulls midfielder Eric Alexander as well as their former academy product Hassan Ndam, Fanendo Adi, Kendal Watson who scored the first home goal for the club and many others.

This will be another strong test as this club has shown during their days in the USL, that they are going to be a tough opponent to play and they won’t show any mercy. That means the Red bulls need to be twice as ruthless against this side.

Both Kemar Lawrence and Alex Muyl looks like they are ready to go, as they look fully fit, and able to get back into action. These two have been sorely missed due to injury, a long road back for Lawrence to get back into the swing of things and strengthen the backline.

So now it’s time for the Red Bulls to go and look to get that win since their home opener, and get ready for a big matchup against the FC Cincinnati.