Richard Dean
Updated on: October 8, 2024 3:29 pm GMT
Sporting Kansas City Visits New York Red Bulls Amid Playoff Battles
Sporting Kansas City (SKC) is set to face the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on Saturday, marking their first visit in over three years. This Major League Soccer (MLS) matchup comes as both teams navigate critical points in their seasons. New York aims to solidify their playoff position while Kansas City looks to improve after a recent winning streak.
New York’s Position in the Eastern Conference
The New York Red Bulls currently sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a total of 36 points. Despite a recent setback—a 2-0 loss to the Philadelphia Union last weekend—the team remains in playoff contention as they strive for their 15th consecutive postseason appearance. With only nine matches left in the regular season, the Red Bulls are three points clear of New York City FC and 12 points above the playoff cutoff.
However, the Red Bulls have struggled recently, failing to win any of their last four matches across all competitions. The defeat to Philadelphia marked their first loss at home in MLS this season. Historically, New York has shown resilience after losses, demonstrating a record of 3-0-1 after a defeat this season. Their high-energy play, particularly in counterattacks, remains a key strength, as they lead the league with 11 goals scored from transitional plays.
Yet, vulnerabilities have emerged, particularly in the early stages of matches; they have conceded an alarming 10 goals within the first 15 minutes, tying for the most in the league. Coach Sandro Schwarz’s team will need to tighten their early-game defense to maintain their playoff position.
Sporting Kansas City’s Recent Performance
On the other side, Sporting Kansas City finds themselves at a critical juncture as they sit ninth in the Western Conference with 27 points, nine points shy of the playoff cutoff. They come into the match with a two-game winning streak, including a decisive 3-0 victory over Orlando City, where they exhibited solid defensive capabilities, not conceding any goals during this stretch.
Despite their recent success, SKC’s defensive frailties have plagued them throughout the season, allowing the second-most goals in the Western Conference at 52. The team’s record indicates a need for improvement on both ends of the pitch if they hope to close the gap to the playoff line. Historically, SKC has performed well against New York at Red Bull Arena, winning two of their last three encounters there, including a memorable 2-1 comeback victory in 2021.
Injury Update and Lineup Expectations
In the wake of their recent loss, the New York Red Bulls are grappling with several injuries. Wikelman Carmona, Peter Stroud, Roald Mitchell, and Serge Ngoma are sidelined due to various injuries, while Emil Forsberg is recovering from a sore foot. Additionally, Lewis Morgan has joined the Scotland national team for the international window, and Noah Eile and Carlos Coronel are representing their respective national teams, further complicating the Red Bulls’ setup.
On the opposing side, SKC also deals with injury challenges, including the absence of midfielder Nemanja Radoja and winger Memo Rodriguez. Leading goalscorer Willy Agada faces suspension due to a red card, further taxing the squad’s options up front.
The potential starting lineups for both teams may look as follows:
| New York Red Bulls | Sporting Kansas City |
|---|---|
| Meara | Melia |
| Duncan | Shelton |
| S. Nealis | Voloder |
| D. Nealis | Fontas |
| Tolkin | Leibold |
| Harper | Davis |
| Donkor | Bassong |
| Edelman | Russell |
| Burke | Thommy |
| Vanzeir | Salloi |
| Manoel | Pulido |
Looking Ahead to Saturday’s Match
As the Red Bulls aim to reverse their winless streak, and Kansas City targets a crucial victory to propel them closer to playoff contention, both teams understand the significance of this matchup. Fans can expect a competitive clash at Red Bull Arena, where each team will be eager to capitalize on their opportunities while shoring up their defensive vulnerabilities.
As the regular season comes to a close, this game is really important for both teams. The Red Bulls are quick and full of young talent, while Kansas City is eager to win after some recent successes. This match could change everything for both clubs!
