One of the top defensive units in the Eastern Conference will battle one of the top-scoring sides in the East as the New York Red Bulls host FC Cincinnati in the opening round of the MLS Cup playoffs at Red Bull Arena on Saturday.
New York allowed the second-fewest goals in the conference this season (41), while the Orange and Blue scored the second-most (64).
Match preview
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Over the years, the New York Red Bulls have become synonymous with postseason soccer, qualifying for the playoffs for a 13th successive campaign this year, equalling the record set by the Seattle Sounders.
Gerhard Struber saw his backline look compact and resolute again this season, posting eight clean sheets over the 2022 campaign.
Throughout the year, they executed the high press probably as well as we have ever seen since the Austrian took over in 2020, scoring 50 goals this season, 11 more than they had in 2021.
The Red Bulls come into this encounter having lost their last three playoff encounters, two of which ended in extra time defeats, versus the Philadelphia Union.
In 2022, they only managed six wins at Red Bull Arena, the fewest ever for them in a single campaign since the league changed to a 34-game regular season in 2011.
Saturday will be their first time hosting a postseason affair since 2018, winning their last two playoff games in New Jersey by a combined score of 4-0.
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The Orange and Blue experienced quite the turnaround in 2022, finishing fifth in the Eastern Conference, improving by 29 points from a season ago.
Pat Noonan has brought an attractive, fast-paced attacking approach to Cincinnati, a system that seemed ideally suited to a squad with so much quality in the attack.
Their forwards have had to be in form and scoring all season because the Orange and Blue have struggled so much defensively, conceding 56 goals this year, which is tied with Inter Miami for the most among the 14 playoff teams.
For better or for worse, there is rarely a dull moment when Cincy take to the field, as they have scored and conceded multiple goals in 11 fixtures this season.
Those entertaining end-to-end matches have rarely materialized against the Red Bulls, though, with each side conceding a goal or fewer in their last five contests, as Cincinnati have only dropped one game against them over that span.
For many players on this squad, Saturday will be their first taste of playoff soccer after the team had finished dead last in the MLS table in each of its first three regular seasons.
Team News
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Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel now has a dozen shutouts in his career with this franchise, stopping six Charlotte FC efforts on Sunday for his eighth clean sheet of the season, while Elias Manoel notched a brace in their 2-0 victory over the Crown, his first two goals since joining them on loan from Gremio in August.
Caden Clark remains questionable with a sore back, as does Serge Ngoma because of a hamstring strain, while Cristian Casseres is nursing a leg injury.
Zach Ryan is still dealing with a shoulder problem, and Cameron Harper will not be available for this game after previously injuring his quad.
Brenner and Brandon Vazquez became the first pair of teammates in league history to each score 18 times in a single season, scoring four goals between them on Decision Day in a 5-3 win over DC United.
In that match, Brenner became the fifth player to score a first-half hat-trick this year, joining Gonzalo Higuain, Ronaldo Cisneros, Jesus Ferreira and the Red Bulls Lewis Morgan.
Beckham Sunderland remains out due to concussion protocol, and Kenneth Vermeer will not be available as he is suffering from a torn pectoral muscle.
New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:
Coronel; Reyes, S. Nealis, Long, Duncan; D. Nealis, Edelman, Amaya, Carmona; Manoel, Morgan
FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Celentano; Miazga, Murphy, Hagglund, Barreal; Nwobodo, Kubo, Moreno; Acosta, Brenner, Vazquez
We say: New York Red Bulls 1-3 FC Cincinnati
New York have been much better on the road than at home this year, and while experience favours the home side, we expect their top-notch backline will have a hard time dealing with Cincy's dynamic duo, who are in fine form.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
