The New York Red Bulls are back in town after a bye week for their home opener on Sunday, March 22 against bitter enemies D.C. United. The New York-D.C. rivalry, also known as the Atlantic Cup, is MLS’ oldest rivalry and enters its 20th season. This match will be the first of three regular season meetings with United. The Red Bulls travel to RFK Stadium for the second game on April 11 and return home for the final matchup on August 30.
Coverage of Sunday’s home opener at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., begins at 5 p.m. EDT (TV: ESPN2).
Here are some important statistics and a look ahead to the Red Bulls’ 2015 home opener.
New York Red Bulls
- Record: 0-0-1
- Leading Goal Scorer: Lloyd Sam (1)
- Assist Leader: Felipe (1)
- Saves Leader: Luis Robles (3)
D.C. United
- Record: 1-0-0
- Leading Goal Scorer: Jairo Arrieta (1)
- Assist Leader: Davy Arnaud/Chris Rolfe (1)
- Saves Leader: Bill Hamid (3)
All-Time Regular Season Series
- D.C. United leads series, 23-33-9
- Series tied at Giants Stadium/Red Bull Arena, 13-13-5
- Red Bulls lead series at Red Bull Arena, 3-1-2
Scouting Report
The New York Red Bulls kicked off their season at Sporting Kansas City on March 8 and settled for a draw, 1-1. New York conceded in the 50th minute, but responded four minutes later thanks to a MLS Goal of the Week nominee effort from Lloyd Sam. Despite stepping away with a road point at Sporting Park, one of the most hostile arenas in MLS, the Red Bulls sensed an opportunity missed after having a one-man advantage for the final 20 minutes of the match.
Roy Miller and Ronald Zubar both picked up knocks at Kansas City and Miller will be out for this weekend’s home opener. With Zubar is listed as day-to-day, keep an eye out for Head Coach Jesse Marsch’s backline selections. Newcomers Sacha Kljestan and Felipe also look to make a positive first impression on the Red Bulls faithful in their home debuts.
In New York’s two home games against D.C. in 2014, the individual performance of Lloyd Sam was instrumental in both victories. Sam scored a 90th minute winner in their regular season meeting and assisted a wonderful team goal in the first-leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Expect a bounce back performance from last year’s Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips after being left frustrated against Sporting KC and going the full 90 minutes without a shot.
D.C. United started their season with a victory against Montreal Impact at RFK Stadium, 1-0. United clinched an important three points thanks to Jairo Arrieta who’s filling in for the suspended Fabian Espindola. He provided the game-winner in the 58th minute on a lightning-fast counter that started in their own penalty box. Overall, it was a very similar D.C. performance to the hard-working team that finished atop the Eastern Conference in 2014.
At the back, D.C. captain Bobby Boswell anchors a backline that allowed the lowest amount of goals in the Eastern Conference (37). Defensive midfielder and U.S. international Perry Kitchen provides extra protection for the back four and stands as arguably United’s best midfielder. The Red Bulls will also need to keep an eye on Chris Pontius, who looked dangerous throughout and created numerous scoring chances against Montreal.
Bill Hamid, the 2014 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, is D.C.’s man to watch.
The U.S. international stood out as United’s best player in their opening game, making critical stops to maintain the shutout. Hamid shut out the Red Bulls twice last season, but Sam and Wright-Phillips, who both found ways to score and set up chances for teammates, will be crucial to defeating Hamid and D.C.
The New York Red Bulls return to action on Sunday, March 22, when the sixth season of soccer at Red Bull Arena opens against rival D.C. United. Click here to purchase tickets.
