Following their first loss of the 2020 season, the New York Red Bulls will meet FC Cincinnati, in what will be the last match in Group E play of the MLS is Back Tournament. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
Here are the Keys to the Game, presented by Honda:
Start Strong with an Early Goal
After scoring first in their first three games in 2020, the Red Bulls walked away with two wins and a draw. Against Columbus, the Red Bulls couldn’t get one in the back of the net and suffered their first defeat of the year.
When New York scored first in 2019, they were 12-4-2, while going 2-10-3 when conceding the first goal. Scoring first continues to be a major boost for our team’s winning aspirations.
Florian Valot’s goal against Atlanta was proof of how to take advantage of those early opportunities to get ahead in the scoreline. Kaku’s vision found Valot, free, with open space and the Red Bulls’ no. 22 scored what turned out to be the winning goal in the MLS is Back Tournament debut.
Replicate What Worked in the March Meeting
With a new manager in command in Jaap Stam, FC Cincinnati will have a new look on Wednesday night.
However, in their first meeting back in March, Kaku, Kyle Duncan and Danny Royer scored in the 3-2 win. Valot and Duncan finished with two assists each.
New York headed into halftime with a 2-0 lead after dominating a great part of the first 45 minutes.
Can’t Overlook Confidence FC Cincy Will Bring with Them after Win over Atlanta
What FC Cincy will show up on Wednesday night? The one that lost 4-0 to Columbus Crew SC or the one that defeated Atlanta 1-0?
For Cincinnati, a team that started the 2020 season with three straight defeats, the positive result against Atlanta can be observed as a new beginning. They’ll enter Wednesday’s match with an urgency to keep building from that win.
In order to avoid any surprises FC Cincy could throw at them, the Red Bulls will have to be alert from the first minute. The match will certainly provide a knockout round feel to it.
