MATCH INFO |
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|---|---|
<strong>Matchup</strong> |
Chicago Fire (3-2-2, 11 pts.) at New York Red Bulls (4-3-1, 13 pts.) |
<strong>Date</strong> |
Saturday, April 29 • 6:30 p.m. CT |
<strong>Location</strong> |
Harrison, NJ. • Red Bull Arena |
<strong>TV</strong> |
CSN Chicago (Pregame: 6 p.m. CT) |
<strong>Spanish Radio</strong> |
<a href="http://stream.uvneng.com/wrtoam-cf"><strong>Univision América 1200 (WRTO)</strong></a> |
<b>MLS Match Preview</b> |
<a href="http://www.chicago-fire.com/post/2017/04/26/match-preview-dax-mccarty-fire-ready-road-test-red-bulls"><b>Projected lineups, injuries, and more</b></a> |
The Chicago Fire resume their three-match road trip this weekend in New York with a Saturday matchup against the New York Red Bulls (6:30 pm CT, CSN Chicago). The Red Bulls enter the contest with wins in consecutive matches, while the Fire will be looking to rectify what was a tough result on the road last weekend in Toronto. Ahead of the Eastern Conference contest at Red Bull arena, here are a few key facts, faces and figures to keep in mind:
Key number: 0
There's no need to dig too deep into the numbers to find one that tells a story leading up to kickoff at Red Bull Arena. Through four matches played in front of their home crowd in 2017, head coach Jesse Marsch's side have allowed exactly zero goals en route to a 3-0-1 home record to begin their campaign. On top of that, those four matches unbeaten have contributed to a streak of 18 consecutive matches with a result when playing within the confines of Red Bull Arena dating back to last season. Road games in MLS can be unforgiving enough as it is, and for Nemanja Nikolic and the Fire attack, Saturday's matchup will be no different.
Matchup to watch: Dax McCarty vs. Sacha Kljestan
Each of these teams boasts a diverse and uniquely talented midfield trio, which should make for an entertaining watch on Saturday night. However, it'll be all eyes on ex-Red Bull Dax McCarty, who will be returning to Red Bull Arena for the first time as a visitor since his trade to Chicago in January. Among what will likely be a mixture of emotions for the former New York captain, he'll be tasked additionally with shutting down former teammate Kljestan, who has notched assists in consecutive matches and remains the creative hub of the Red Bull attack.
One big question: Can David Accam continue to be an x-factor in attack?
In the Fire's last two games, winger David Accam has been injected into head coach Veljko Paunovic's side as a second-half substitution. In those two games, he's netted an assist and a goal as a spark off the bench. The Red Bulls are a team that aren't afraid to press their opposition high up the field, which can theoretically create space for Accam to run into and use his pace to cause problems for the RBNY defense on the counter. Whether he gets the nod from Paunovic from the outset or remains a dangerous second half option in relief, this matchup sets up well for some vintage Accam fireworks.
Quote of the Week:
That's midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger assessing his current level of match fitness during his interview on the latest episode of Fire Weekly. While an adjustment period and ensuing return to fitness following his move overseas was expected, the German World Cup winner already has two goals and an assist through his first four matches played. The thought of his potential in MLS when he reaches 100% is a tasty one.
Fire Field Vision powered by NovaCare:
From the media guide:
- The Chicago Fire are 26-16-11 all-time in regular season matches against the New York Red Bulls, including an 11-12-3 record in matches played in the Garden State.
- In those regular season meetings, the Fire have outscored the Red Bulls 88 to 69.
- The Red Bulls have won three of the last four meetings in the series, with the most recent outcome a 2-2 draw at Toyota Park last July, the same game in which Dax McCarty suffered a tibia fracture that caused him to miss a month of action. Chicago's most recent win at Red Bull Arena came in the memorable 5-4 victory on May 10, 2014.
- The Fire acquired McCarty from the Red Bulls in a trade on Jan. 16, 2017. Over the course of six seasons with the Red Bulls, McCarty scored 14 goals and tallied 27 assists in 169 regular season appearances, and also appeared in 17 post season games.
- Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch joined the Fire prior to the start of the inaugural season in 1998. Marsch appeared in 200 regular season matches for the Men in Red and helped the side to the 1998 MLS Cup, 1998, 2000 and 2003 U.S. Open Cup championships before departing in 2005.
- Red Bulls Sporting Director Denis Hamlett joined the Fire coaching staff prior to the start of the 1998 season. He was named first assistant in 2001 and served as the interim head coach briefly in 2007 before being named head coach in 2008. Hamlett held the post for two seasons.
- Red Bulls assistant coach Chris Armas was acquired by the Fire prior to the 1998 season. Through ten seasons with the Men in Red, Armas led the Fire to 1998 MLS Cup and was a part of all four of the Fire's Open Cup titles (1998, 2000, 2003, 2006). Armas retired in 2007 having tallied 9 goals and 42 assists for the Fire in 214 games over the course of ten seasons. In 2008, Armas served as an assistant coach for the Fire and Oct. 22, 2009, was inducted into the Ring of Fire.
