After earning maximum points in both matches on their recent two-game homestand, Inter Miami head to Red Bull Arena on Saturday for their second meeting of the year against the New York Red Bulls.
Those two victories over New York City FC (3-2) and Toronto (2-1) have vaulted the Herons into sixth in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer, while New York are five points above them in fourth following a 1-1 draw with FC Cincinnati last Saturday.
Match preview
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A pair of solid performances seem to have the Red Bulls back on track for a playoff position, currently seven points above the line in the Eastern Conference with seven matches to play.
Their performances last week had to have been a significant relief to Gerhard Struber, who had seen his side look shaky before this current run, going winless in five matches in all competitions, conceding 13 goals over that stretch.
They have recently been more compact on the back end, holding a dynamic attacking side in Cincinnati to just two shots on target last week while conceding a goal or fewer in four straight encounters.
At the beginning of the year, the Red Bulls were inexplicably poor on their home field, as they failed to win their first six games.
Lately their struggles at Red Bull Arena have continued, going winless in five straight contests in all competitions, failing to score on three occasions.
Four of the seven first-half strikes which they conceded over their previous three home fixtures came in the opening 20 minutes, while they have only captured two matches all year when conceding the opener.
The Red Bulls have struggled against teams from the Sunshine State, losing their last two games against Orlando City by a combined score of 6-1 and dropping their earlier match this season versus the Herons, 2-0.
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One game and one step at a time has been the philosophy of Phil Neville and his Inter Miami squad over their regular season campaign lately.
It has served them well as they looked sharp on and off the ball against Toronto last Saturday, claiming at least a point for a fifth consecutive encounter.
That streak has them in a playoff position down the stretch of the regular season, currently holding a two-point cushion over the New England Revolution with eight matches remaining.
Five of those fixtures will be away from home, where they have only won twice all season, failing to find the back of the net on six occasions.
Inter Miami have allowed nine goals over their last five MLS encounters, seven of which were in the opening 45 minutes of play.
While not always playing stellar football, the Herons continuity in recent outings has served them well, with Miami grinding out their share of points, all of which have enabled them to sit in a playoff position with their destiny now in their hands.
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Team News
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Patryk Klimala scored for the Red Bulls from the penalty spot last Saturday, cancelling out the opening goal from Matt Miazga of Cincinnati, as he is now tied with Luquinhas for second on the team in goals with five.
Klimala and Omir Fernandez each have two goals in their careers versus Miami, while Tyler Pasher is seeking his first cap with New York after being waived by the Houston Dynamo earlier this month.
Serge Ngoma remains out with a hamstring strain, while they will not have AJ Marcucci available because of a shoulder injury.
Goals from Jean Mota and Ariel Lassiter propelled the Herons to a vital 2-1 win against TFC, with Damion Lowe and Gonzalo Higuain collecting assists, as the former Argentine international now has three on the season, one fewer than Bryce Duke.
Drake Callender stopped five shots in their previous matchup versus the Red Bulls in May to pick up a clean sheet, as Lassiter and Robert Taylor both found the back of the net with Duke and Victor Ulloa collecting assists.
Robbie Robinson continues to miss time with a hamstring injury, while Neville inserted two new players into the starting 11 against The Reds as Ryan Sailor and Lassiter replaced Bryce Duke and Kieran Gibbs.
New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:
Coronel; Duncan, S. Nealis, Long, Tolkin; Amaya, Yearwood; Harper, Casseres, Morgan; Klimala
Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Callender; Yedlin, Lowe, Sailor, McVey; Gregore, Mota; Duke, Pozuelo, Lassiter; Higuain
We say: New York Red Bulls 1-0 Inter Miami
The Reb Bulls have looked much more composed defensively of late, and even though the Herons have generated some positive results recently, they do not appear to be as organised at the back away from home.
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Joel Lefevre
