HANOVER, N.J. – The number one seed is all but locked up, but don’t expect the Red Bulls to ratchet back their intensity.
With just one game left in the regular season, New York have virtually guaranteed that the road to MLS Cup will travel through Red Bull Arena, as New York City FC would need to overturn a 13-goal differential to unseat the Red Bulls from their perch.
They may not be able to improve their position, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be something to play for this Sunday.
“If Colorado slips up and we win, then we’d host anyone but Dallas in MLS Cup, so that’s definitely a factor,” head coach Jesse Marsch explained. “We want to keep pushing so that down the stretch we’re still sharp and fit and ready to go.”
Given their lofty position, it wouldn’t be much of surprise to see some of New York’s most worked players, such as Felipe and Aurelien Collin, get some time off against the Philadelphia Union. However, neither is interested in taking any time away from the pitch.
“I feel great,” Felipe told NewYorkRedBulls.com. “I’m ready now more than ever to go down the stretch and give my best.”
Added Collin: “When you play in the summer in nearly 100 degrees and then it gets colder, you can run a lot. It’s no problem; I feel very, very good.”
For his part, Marsch is ready to put his best foot forward with a full compliment of players at his disposal.
“You’re not going to see us take our foot off the pedal,” he added. “We might make some changes here or there, but we’re going to put a good team on the field and go after it.”
