New York Red Bulls vs. Minnesota United FC | 2018 MLS Match Preview

Dylan Butler

New York Red Bulls vs. Minnesota United FC
2018 MLS Regular Season – Week 4
Red Bull Arena — Harrison
7:00 pm ET – March 24, 2018
WATCH: MLS LIVE | MLS LIVE on DAZN

The New York Red Bulls return home after their first loss of the season, a 1-0 defeat at Real Salt Lake that appeared to be part of a Concacaf Champions League hangover trend throughout MLS and Liga MX.

Meanwhile, Minnesota United FC have put together back-to-back victories following an inspired 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire in their home opener last Saturday. Can the Loons make it a club-best three consecutive wins at Red Bull Arena Saturday?

New York Red Bulls

Was there anything to really take from a 1-0 loss to Real Salt Lake Saturday night at the RioT, the Red Bulls first defeat in all competitions in 2018? Jesse Marsch said after the game he saw this coming after the club played five matches over the course of 17 days.

For the first time since the calendar flipped to March, New York has a full week to prepare for a confident Minnesota United FC squad. And although the Red Bulls will miss starters Kemar Lawrence (Jamaica), Michael Murillo (Panama) and Tyler Adams (United States) to international duty, Marsch’s ability to get results with roster rotation (see a 4-0 MLS-opening win over the Portland Timbers) bodes well for the hosts.

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: M - Tyler Adams, D - Fidel Escobar, D - Kemar Lawrence, D - Michael Murillo
Injury Report: None

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Luis Robles — Kyle Duncan, Tim Parker, Aaron Long, Connor Lade — Marc Rzatkowski, Florian Valot — Sean Davis, Kaku, Daniel Royer — Bradley Wright-Phillips

Notes: The Red Bulls are unbeaten in their last nine regular season home games. They have outscored visitors 23-6 in that time and have kept clean sheets in three straight games. … New York have conceded just 21 fouls this season, the third-fewest in the league.

Minnesota United FC

The key to back-to-back wins for the second time in the club’s short history has been a sterling defensive effort, one that goalkeeper Matt Lampson called “some of the best defensive team efforts I've seen.” It’s a stark difference from an inaugural campaign that saw the Loons concede a league-high 70 goals.

However, the depth of the backline will be tested with the central pairing of Michael Boxall (New Zealand) and Francisco Calvo (Costa Rica) on international duty this week and right back Tyrone Mears going out with a calf injury against Chicago.

It should be a special homecoming for rookie forward Mason Toye, who is from South Orange, N.J. and was a standout at Seton Hall Prep before playing one season at Indiana University.

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: D - Michael Boxall, D - Francisco Calvo, M - Rasmus Schuller
Injury Report: OUT: M - Kevin Molino (torn left ACL), M - Sam Cronin (cervicogenic dysfunction), D - Tyrone Mears (right calf), F - Abu Danladi (left hamstring strain)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Matt Lampson — Jerome Thiesson, Wyatt Omsberg, Brett Kallman, Marc Burch — Collin Martin, Ibson — Ethan Finlay, Miguel Ibarra, Sam Nicholson — Christian Ramirez

Notes: Lampson has already tallied 12 saves, tied for the second-most of any keeper this season. … The Loons, who won their last away game, are looking to win back-to-back road games for the first time in team history.