New York Red Bulls will be seeking to avoid a fifth successive MLS game without a victory when they play host to DC United in the Big Apple on Sunday.
The visitors have failed to win any of their last three league games on the road, while the Red Bulls have not won a league match on home soil since October last year.
Match preview
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After failing to beat Philadelphia Union, Chicago Fire and Inter Miami in their last three league games, New York Red Bulls returned to winning ways in the MLS Cup when they secured a 3-1 last-16 win at home to Charlotte FC on Thursday.
Patryk Klimala's second-minute opener was cancelled out just six minutes later by Daniel Rios, but Dylan Nealis put the Red Bulls back in front just after the hour mark before Tom Barlow sealed the victory by adding a third in stoppage time.
Gerhard Struber's side are sure to have one eye on their quarter-final tie with rivals New York City FC next month, but they must first turn their attention to Sunday's MLS clash with DC United as they bid to close in on Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia.
New York Red Bulls, who currently sit in fifth place and four points off the summit, comfortably beat DC United 3-0 on the road in the last 32 of the MLS Cup just over two weeks ago, with Luquinhas, John Tolkin and Zachary Ryan all on the scoresheet.
However, the Red Bulls have failed to win any of their six home matches in 2022, and on Sunday they will be looking to avoid becoming the fourth MLS team in history to go winless in their first seven home games of a season.
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DC United extended their winless league run to three matches when they played out a 2-2 draw at home to Toronto last weekend.
The Black and Red were leading 2-1 heading into the closing stages, with Edison Flores and Michael Estrada both on the scoresheet for the hosts, but an 89th-minute equaliser from Jonathan Osorio forced both sides to share the spoils.
Chad Ashton's side made a bright start to the new campaign by winning their opening two matches, but they have since recorded only two more victories in their next 10 fixtures. This run of form has seen them slip to 11th in the Eastern Conference, three points above basement club Chicago and two points behind the playoffs.
DC United's defensive frailties have been one of the main factors behind their slump in form, as they have conceded at least twice in eight of their last 10 matches.
The Black and Red's recent record away at New York Red Bulls will at least provide some confidence heading into Sunday's game, as they are unbeaten in each of their last three visits to the Red Bull Arena, claiming two draws and a 1-0 win in September 2020.
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Team News
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New York Red Bulls quartet Ashley Fletcher (knee), Serge Ngoma (hamstring), Andres Reyes and Wikelman Carmona (both foot) are all sidelined with injuries, while John Tolkin is set to miss out due to illness.
Versatile defender Dylan Nealis could move over to left-back to replace Tolkin, with his brother Sean Nealis set to start at centre-back alongside Aaron Long.
Dru Yearwood and Frankie Amaya are expected to replace Cristian Casseres and Daniel Edelman in centre-midfield, while Scottish winger Lewis Morgan, who is the club's top scorer so far this term with five strikes to his name, could be handed a start in attack with Luquinhas and Klimala.
As for DC United, Adrien Perez (foot), Chris Odoi-Atsem (ankle), Moses Nyeman and Andy Najar (both thigh) are all ruled out with injuries, while Gaoussou Samake is doubtful and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Either Tony Alfaro or Donovan Pines is set to join Brendan Hines-Ike and Steve Birnbaum in the back three, shielding goalkeeper Bill Hamid.
Taxiarchis Fountas and Michael Estrada, who have scored nine of DC's 16 league goals between them this season, are expected to continue in attack, although Ola Kamara – who has five goals to his name this term – will be pushing to start after beginning on the bench last time out.
New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:
Coronel; Edwards, S. Nealis, Long, D. Nealis; Amaya, Yearwood; Morgan, Fernandez, Luquinhas; Klimala
DC United possible starting lineup:
Hamid; Pines, Birnbaum, Hines-Ike; Gressel, Durkin, Djeffal, Smith; Fountas, Flores; Estrada
We say: New York Red Bulls 2-1 DC United
Both sides will view this fixture as a winnable game as they look turn their fortunes around in the league and climb the table.
Goals are to be expected at the Red Bull Arena and we can see the hosts building on their MLS Cup success in midweek by securing all three points on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Oliver Thomas
