The New York Red Bulls face defending champions Sporting Kansas City in the Knockout round of the MLS Cup Playoffs Thursday, October 30 at Red Bull Arena.
The playoff matchup will mark the fourth and final meeting between the clubs this year, with the winner moving onto the next round, while the loser will be sent home early.
If the Red Bulls prevail, the first leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against D.C. United will be held at Red Bull Arena on Saturday, November 2 at 4:00 p.m.
Coverage of the Eastern Conference Knockout round on October 30 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. will begin at 8:00 p.m. ET (TV: ESPN2). For tips and directions on how to get to the game, check out the Red Bull Arena Transportation HUB.
Here are some important statistics and a look back at the Red Bulls’ three prior meetings with SKC.
New York Red Bulls
- Record: 13-10-11, fourth place
- Last Five Matches: 3-2-0
- Leading Goal Scorer: Bradley Wright-Phillips (27)
- Assist Leader: Thierry Henry (14)
- Saves Leader: Luis Robles (111)
Sporting Kansas City
- Record: 14-13-7, fifth place
- Last Five Matches: 1-3-1
- Leading Goal Scorer: Dom Dwyer (22)
- Assist Leader: Graham Zusi (8)
- Saves Leader: Eric Kronberg (45)
All-Time Series – New York vs. Kansas City
- New York leads series, 20-19-12
- New York leads series at Giants Stadium/Red Bull Arena, 11-5-8 (31 GF, 24 GA)
- New York and Kansas City have never met in the MLS Cup Playoffs (first ever meeting)
May 27 – Sporting KC 1, New York Red Bulls 1
The first meeting between the clubs took place at Sporting Park in Kansas City and also marked the 100th start for Thierry Henry. After a dominating first 10 minutes of the game by SKC, the Red Bulls were lucky to only be down 0-1.
Luckily for New York, Sporting was unable to add to their lead, and top goal scorer Bradley Wright-Phillips slotted away his 50th minute chance to tie the game at one. Despite a few good chances to win the game for both teams, the match would end in a 1-1 draw.
September 8 – New York Red Bulls 2, Sporting KC 1
The New York Red Bulls hosted the second matchup between the teams at Red Bull Arena, this time with Sporting KC under heavy pressure early. Bradley Wright-Phillips was awarded a penalty kick in the 9th minute when he was brought down by Matt Besler in the penalty box. He coolly converted his chance to make it 1-0.
The highlight of the match came in the 52nd minute when Thierry Henry scored a MLS Goal of the Week winning golazo from outside the penalty box. Dom Dwyer wasted no time getting his team back in the game, scoring two minutes later to make it 2-1. In the end, the Red Bulls hung on for the home victory.
October 26 – Sporting KC 0, New York Red Bulls 2
On the final day of the regular season, these teams met once more at Sporting Park to determine who would have home advantage in the Eastern Conference Knockout round. It was also Bradley Wright-Phillips’ last chance to equal or break the MLS all-time single-season scoring record of 27 goals.
Despite a good early chance for Dom Dwyer, SKC were unable to capitalize and let up a Wright-Phillips goal in the 15th minute. In the second half, an inspired Wright-Phillips chased down a long ball, stole it from Aurelien Collin, and scored his record tying 27th goal of the year. The game ended 2-0 and set up Thursday’s win or go home matchup at Red Bull Arena.
