Red Bulls face Toronto FC on Decision Day

The New York Red Bulls have reached the end of the regular season as they prepare to earn a possible three points for a final push to get out of the play-in round. To make that happen, they need to have the New England Revolution to earn a loss against the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park. So for these two teams that are fighting for position, their opponents will be tough to face.

“I think based on points and wins, that could be the points per game story, and I think we could sneak in to sixth place” said interim manager Bradley Carnell. “So our focus is totally to try and to win the game, our focus is all about us to have a strong game.”

“We are going to try to do this at all cost. The last game was not our standard and not our expectations, so the guys have done good at training, the message has been really good, we will be ready to go at home.”

But not only are the Red Bulls looking to improve their positioning, but Toronto FC is looking to leapfrog over the Philadelphia Union to win the Supporters Shield. The last time these two sides were in the position to face each other, it was 11 years ago when the Red Bulls were leaving Giants Stadium and moved into their new home in Harrison.

Back on October 24th, 2009, Toronto needed a win over the Red Bulls to reach the playoffs for the very first time, as they took on a dead last team. That night the Red Bulls blasted five goals, as Mac Kandji and Juan Pablo Angel each scored a brace, and the last man to score the final soccer goal at Giants Stadium was Matthew Mbuta from the spot. Tremendous visiting support from Toronto fans came over with confidence and left the Meadowlands in a whimper.

“We are just looking to do what we can do to finish the season on a high note” said Carnell. “If that means to be a spoiler than so be it. We just focusing on ourselves now, and we want to end the season especially with the last home game on a win.”

“We want to put ourselves into the best possible chance to succeed, and get that sixth spot. Let the dominos fall where they may fall. I have nothing against them, these games are always tough and fun, it’s always one to look forward to.”

Sean Davis is a two-time Shield winner, back in 2015 and two years ago when Toronto FC knocked out Atlanta at BMO Field on the same day that Derrick Etienne Jr. scored the only goal at Red Bull Arena against Orlando City.

“First of all Toronto deserves a lot of credit as what they have gone through this season, they have been technically on the road this entire time” said Davis. “To see them to chip away at it and grind out results, and play well is impressive.”

“In saying that, they do have a chance to win the shield this weekend, we do see this as another game, another playoff game. For us we see this as another game, another playoff game, and that’s our mentality for the last few week.”

“Take one game at a time and see ourselves in the playoffs. You want to block out the outside noise. We need to think about us and to earn a sixth place finish.”