Red Bulls hope to end losing skid in Atlanta

The next match comes quickly for the New York Red Bulls as they will make yet another trip down south to visit the mutually struggling Atlanta United at Mercedes Benz Stadium on Saturday night.

Since Atlanta entered the league in 2017, their only victory against the Red Bulls has been the first leg of the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals. Since then, Atlanta United hasn’t beaten the Red Bulls in the regular season and, that also includes the MLS is Back Tournament in August when Florian Valot scored the lone goal in their group stage win.

“I just think it’s a clash of styles. It’s a team that proud to plays in a certain way and we are proud to play in a certain way, It’s just a clash of styles and whoever comes out on top will be the winner.” said interim manager Bradley Carnell. “It’s a nice challenge, and we will be enjoying the challenge that we will get against them in 2020.

“I think we can any day ramp up and they can ramp it up as well, so I believe we will have an exciting challenge once again with Atlanta United. It’s just what we can do to be good against them.”

Atlanta United has had a rough season since losing Josef Martinez to a torn ACL suffered in the season opener against Nashville SC in February. They haven’t been themselves at all in 2020 but recently are on a two-match winning streak, so we shall see if the Red Bulls can halt their two-match losing streak.

Red Bulls striker Tom Barlow has fond memories of playing Atlanta after his unlikely goal at Red Bull Arena gave three points to a ten-man New York side.

“It was a crazy day, one more of my memorable days with Red Bull, Atlanta is big rival as we gt into it and the fans get into it.” said Barlow. “It’s a special day down ten guys at home with a huge crowd, I’m just glad that I was able to help out and send the fans home happy.

“You know we take every game personal. We know that DC & NYC has a long history against Red Bull, but in my time here Atlanta has been pretty good, I am more use to that history and as you can see the fans get into it. We are excited to go and try to get the three points.”

Florian Valot burned Atlanta United in the MLS is Back Tourament where he slotted home the only goal of the match. Kaku whipped a great ball to a sprinting Valot and then put it through the wickets of Guzan. Atlanta United will still be a tough match as the field turf surface could give them some problems, but not that much as they are used to it.

“The turf is not really an issue, as we have had solid results down there in the past. It’s always a special game when we play them down there.” said Valot, So I expect nothing less when we take them on.

“I haven’t watched any films on them yet. They have changed coaches and players, lately they have been on a good string of results. We should expect a tough game against them at their place, we need to prepare ourselves in the best way possible.”