New York Red Bulls soccer makes its long awaited return when RBNY travel to Sporting Park to face ex-Eastern Conference foes Sporting Kansas City on Sunday, March 8. This will be the only meeting between the clubs in 2015. It is also a re-match of the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs knockout round which saw New York through to the next round.
Coverage of Sunday’s season opener at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan. begins at 7 p.m. EDT (TV: FOX Sports 1).
Here are some important statistics and a look forward to the Red Bulls’ first 2015 regular season match.
2014 New York Red Bulls
- Record: 13-10-11 (fourth place)
- Leading Goal Scorer: Bradley Wright-Phillips (27)
- Assist Leader: Thierry Henry (14)
- Saves Leader: Luis Robles (111)
2014 Sporting Kansas City
- Record: 14-13-7 (fifth place)
- Leading Goal Scorer: Dom Dwyer (22)
- Assist Leader: Graham Zusi (8)
- Saves Leader: Eric Kronberg (45)
2014 Head-To-Head
- Regular Season: Red Bulls led season series with 2-0-1 record
- MLS Cup Playoffs: Red Bulls defeated SKC 2-1 in knockout round
Scouting Report
With a new coaching staff and a bevy of new faces in the squad, the New York Red Bulls are a young, new and intriguing team heading into the 2015 season. Some questions still remain the same from last season, specifically the back line, which will feature a new, unknown center back pairing, but most experts agree that this year’s Red Bulls have great depth at midfield. Experienced acquisitions Felipe Martins and Sacha Kljestan are successful veterans, Dax McCarty and Lloyd Sam were consistent starters for the Red Bulls last year, and rookies Sean Davis and 2014 Mac Hermann award winner Leo Stolz are two of the best midfielders to come out of college in the offseason.
Designated player and 2014 Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips was the deadliest forward in MLS last season and punished Sporting KC in their four total meetings. Wright-Phillips scored four goals in three regular season matches, and broke Kansas City hearts in the MLS Cup Playoffs knockout round by scoring both goals, including a 90th minute winner, in a 2-1 victory which eliminated SKC from the playoffs. Although there are many new faces in the midfield and defense, be sure to keep an eye on Wright-Phillips who looks to continue his brilliant form against SKC on Sunday.
For Sporting Kansas City, the offseason was a blessing in disguise. After a year of injuries, inconsistency and the extra mileage of the FIFA World Cup on superstars Matt Besler and Graham Zusi, Sporting KC are ready to put last season behind them and start anew. Besler, a U.S. international, looks to bounce back from an abysmal end to 2014 with a new look defense. Zusi, also a U.S. international, led the team in assists last season and aims to increase his impact on matches alongside always consistent midfielder Benny Feilhaber.
The man to watch, however, is Dom Dwyer. In 2014, Dwyer set a single-season club record with 22 goals, second most in MLS to Bradley Wright-Phillips’ 27. Last year he scored twice against the Red Bulls, postseason included, and seeks to continue his scoring ways. Dwyer and SKC, dating back to 2014 and including MLS Cup Playoffs, will be facing the Red Bulls for the third straight time. Expect them to come out hungry for a win with the knockout round loss still fresh in their minds.
