Unbeaten in their last three matches in all competitions, the New York Red Bulls return to MLS action on Saturday for their first game against CF Montreal at Red Bull Arena this year.
Under new manager Troy Lesesne, the Red Bulls have yet to lose but are still second from the bottom in the Eastern Conference following a 0-0 draw at Toronto, while Montreal saw their six-game winning run in all competitions end, losing 3-0 on Wednesday to FC Cincinnati.
Match preview
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A managerial change in Harrison has had a positive effect for this club, who despite their current standing are just a victory away from a potential playoff spot.
While they conceded the bulk of the scoring opportunities against the Reds on Wednesday, the defensive shape of this group lately has vastly improved, as they have not given up a goal since Lesesne took charge.
Part of that success can be attributed to a minor tactical shift, with the Red Bulls being more disciplined with their press over the previous three encounters, leading to more overall possession for New York and allowing them to play with a lot less fatigue in the latter stages of a match.
Although there have been plenty of improvements, they are still looking hesitant and uncertain when scoring opportunities arise, netting multiple times in just one domestic fixture all season.
With 12 of their 13 league fixtures this year being decided by a goal or fewer, it seems pretty evident that this group need somebody to step up and find the back of the net with more regularity.
Their only defeat by multiple goals this year occurred the last time they battled Montreal, when they failed to capitalise on a man advantage in the final 25 minutes, falling 2-0 in April.
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From a nightmare to a dream, Hernan Losada has experienced the highs and lows in his return to the sidelines, and unfortunately, his Montreal side were knocked back down to earth on Wednesday by the Supporters' Shield leaders.
That was the sixth time this season that Le CFM had failed to score in an MLS road fixture and the fifth time this team had conceded multiple goals as the visitors.
Giving up the opening goal has been like a death sentence for this group, with Montreal losing each of their matches in this competition when conceding first, while they have not even managed a consolation goal in any of those encounters.
Their backline has been a mess away from home throughout most of the league campaign, conceding 17 goals in seven matches, as many as they gave up in their final 13 regular-season affairs in 2022.
Le CFM come to Red Bull Arena having captured just one of their previous three visits there in the regular season, though the last time out, they came away with a 2-1 triumph.
Montreal have conceded a goal or fewer in five successive encounters versus the Red Bulls, a significant improvement after allowing 12 in the six matches played against them before that.
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Team News
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Kyle Duncan and Steven Sserwadda missed the Red Bulls' midweek encounter with sore knees, Frankie Amaya has a sprained ankle, Matt Nocita and Serge Ngoma are dealing with hamstring strains, Luquinhas has a problem in his adductor, while their leading goalscorer from 2022, Lewis Morgan, might be ready to return from his hip injury.
Daniel Edelman is representing the United States Under-20 team at the World Cup, while Dante Vanzeir, Cristian Casseres, Sean Nealis and Andres Reyes are eligible to return from their respective suspensions.
Omir Fernandez has scored the winning goal for New York in each of their previous two matches played at Red Bull Arena, while Carlos Coronel has posted back-to-back clean sheets, stopping all three Toronto efforts on Wednesday.
Mason Toye sat out of another match for Montreal in midweek due to a left knee injury, Samuel Piette is still recovering from an adductor strain and James Pantemis remains sidelined with a shoulder issue.
When these sides met last season in New Jersey, Rudy Camacho and Romell Quioto scored 10 minutes apart in the second half as the visitors came from behind to defeat the Red Bulls 2-1.
Aaron Herrera and Ariel Lassiter are each seeking their first goals with their new club, while Zachary Brault-Guillard, who netted four times in 2022, has yet to strike for Montreal this season.
New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:
Coronel; D. Nealis, S. Nealis, Reyes, Tolkin; Carmona, Casseres, Yearwood; Fernandez; Vanzeir, Morgan
CF Montreal possible starting lineup:
Sirois; Corbo, Camacho, Waterman; Herrera, Choiniere, Wanyama, Lappalainen; Lassiter; Duke, Offor
We say: New York Red Bulls 2-0 CF Montreal
The Red Bulls appear to be back to their old selves defensively, and although they still have work to do in the attacking third, we expect them to get a big boost from the return of numerous players who were missing earlier this week.
It has been a Jekyll and Hyde season for Le CFM, and they could find it difficult to penetrate a Red Bulls team who look reinvigorated defensively since changing coaches.
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Top tip
Joel Lefevre
