FC Dallas are winless in their past 11 visits to the New York Red Bulls across all competitions. The skid dates back nearly two decades.
The Red Bulls rarely conceded goals in those matchups and hope to clamp down defensively Saturday night in Harrison, N.J., especially after their most recent MLS home game.
The Red Bulls are 9-0-2 at home against Dallas since May 24, 2006. The first 10 meetings were MLS regular-season games, and last year the Red Bulls earned a penalty kick win in U.S. Open Competition on May 21.
Six of those games were shutouts and New York would certainly welcome a blanking after blowing a pair of two-goal leads and settling for a 4-4 tie against visiting D.C. United two weeks ago. New York (3-4-3, 12 points) followed up its disappointing defensive showing with last Saturday’s 2-0 loss at Cincinnati, when it conceded two goals in the final 10 minutes of the first half and dropped to 1-4-3 after winning their first two matches.
New York also is hoping to improve defensively after allowing three goals off corner kicks during a 3-1 loss to New York City FC in Wednesday’s 3-1 loss in a U.S. Open Cup contest.
“It’s something that we have to continue to work on,” New York coach Michael Bradley said about the defense. “Obviously, the makeup of our team from a physical profile standpoint means that it’s an area where on some nights we’re going to be really challenged.”
Besides trying to get its first road win over the Red Bulls in 20 years, Dallas (3-3-4, 13 points) is attempting to halt a four-match winless skid. Since scoring four goals apiece in consecutive wins over Houston and D.C. United, Dallas has scored four times and gone 0-2-2.
Last Saturday, Dallas took a 2-1 loss at Seattle, marking the fifth time it was held to one goal or fewer. Nolan Norris scored but his goal wasn’t enough after Dallas trailed by two through the opening 30 minutes.
“Obviously disappointed about the result, but I thought we played pretty well, and I think we’re going to regret seeing the couple moments that led to their goals,” Dallas coach Eric Quill said. “Those moments are fixable.”
Dallas forward Petar Musa is tied for the league lead with nine goals, while teenager Julian Hall paces New York with six goals.
–Field Level Media
