The undefeated New York Red Bulls host its final match of a three game homestand against Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, April 29. This will be the only MLS regular season meeting between the clubs in 2015. Wednesday will also mark the Red Bulls’ third consecutive game against a Western Conference opponent. In the teams’ last outing on March 15, 2014, the Red Bulls tied Colorado in its home opener at Red Bull Arena, 1-1.
Coverage of the match between the New York Red Bulls and Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, April 29 at Red Bull Arena will begin at 7:30 p.m. EDT (TV: MSG; RADIO: RBNY English/Spanish Internet Radio). For travel tips and further directions on how to get to the game, check out the Red Bull Arena Transportation HUB.
Here are some important statistics and a look ahead to the Red Bulls’ Wednesday night clash with Colorado Rapids.
New York Red Bulls
- Record: 3-0-3, 12 points; third place in Eastern Conference
- Previous Match: RBNY draw, 1-1 vs. LA Galaxy
- Last Five Results (opponent in parenthesis): 3-0-2 – Win (DC), Win (@CLB), Draw (@DC), Win (SJ), Draw (LA)
- Leading Goal Scorer: Lloyd Sam (3)
- Assist Leader: Felipe/Bradley Wright-Phillips (3)
- Saves Leader: Luis Robles (19)
Colorado Rapids
- Record: 1-2-4, 7 points; tenth place in Western Conference
- Previous Match: COL draw, 1-1 vs. FC Dallas
- Last Five Results (opponent in parenthesis): 1-2-2 – Draw (@HOU), Loss (NE), Win (@DAL), Loss (SEA), Draw (DAL)
- Leading Goal Scorer: Gabriel Torres (2)
- Assist Leader: Dillon Powers (3)
- Saves Leader: Clint Irwin (19)
All-Time Regular Season Series
- Colorado lead series, 17-15-6
- New York lead series at Giants Stadium/Red Bull Arena, 9-7-3
- New York lead series at Red Bull Arena, 2-0-2
Tactics
Pablo Mastroeni’s Colorado Rapids play a 4-2-3-1 with either Gabriel Torres or rookie forward Dominique Badji up-top. Midfielder Dillon Powers usually plays as a right midfielder or in behind the striker to provide service for either Badji or Torres. The Rapids have allowed only six goals in seven matches, second least in the Western Conference, but has also scored only six goals, the fewest in the conference. However, Colorado has scored all six goals in the club’s last three matches against Seattle Sounders and FC Dallas. Although the Rapids are bottom of the Western Conference, New York must execute its up-tempo and high pressure game plan laid out by head coach Jesse Marsch. The Red Bulls must be sharp in attack against a team that’s picked up five of its seven total points on the road in 2015.
Who to Watch
The success of Felipe, Dax McCarty and Sacha Kljestan in the midfield triangle has been making news lately, and it’s been Felipe who’s been most frequently on the scoresheet. Currently riding a three-game point streak, Felipe scored his first goal of the season last weekend against LA Galaxy to level the match and extend the Red Bulls’ club record unbeaten run. In the match prior to LA Galaxy, Felipe provided the game-winning assist against San Jose Earthquakes in a 2-0 victory. Felipe has one goal and three assists this season and seeks to extend his point streak to four matches on Wednesday night.
For Colorado, Dillon Powers and Gabriel Torres have been most dangerous for the Rapids. Both have provided goals and scoring opportunities for their team who’s struggled to find the back of the net this season. Powers, similar to Felipe for the Red Bulls, is currently on a three game point streak with all three of his assists and one goal coming in this span. Powers supplied the game-winning assist in Colorado’s lone victory of the season and found teammate Nick LaBrocca in the 79th minute in the Rapids’ last match to level the match and solidify a point at home. Torres has two goals and one assist thus far, scoring in the road victory against FC Dallas and linking up with Powers to score Colorado’s lone goal against Seattle Sounders.
