New York Red Bulls Ny vs Sporting Kansas City Kc Picks and Predictions September 7th 2024

The New York Red Bulls are in desperate need of a return to form as they host Sporting Kansas City on Saturday. Both teams are gunning for vital points during the FIFA international break, and this matchup could make or break their playoff chances.

New York Red Bulls Looking to Rebound

Sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference with 42 points, the New York Red Bulls (10-5-12) have hit a rough patch recently. Despite their strong standing, they’ve only won two of their last 11 league matches (2-2-7) and suffered a rare 2-0 home defeat to the Philadelphia Union on August 31. This loss was particularly concerning, as the Red Bulls had been impressive at home, boasting a 7-1-5 record. Their recent dip in form has raised questions about their ability to secure a high playoff seed.

Head coach Sandro Schwarz is well aware of the issues his team needs to address. “Last game was not good for us, and the result was not good… It’s important for us to show a different side — in terms of our quality, mentality, and energy level.”

Adding to their challenges, the Red Bulls will be without some key players due to international duty. Top scorer Lewis Morgan (Scotland) and starting goalkeeper Carlos Coronel (Paraguay) are among those missing. These absences will test the team’s depth as they aim to get back on track in their playoff push.

Sporting Kansas City’s Playoff Hopes Hinge on a Strong Finish

Sporting Kansas City (7-14-6, 27 points) finds itself in a much more precarious position. They currently sit nine points outside the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, with just seven games remaining. If SKC wants to have any hope of sneaking into the postseason, they need to start picking up wins, fast. Missing the playoffs for the second time in three seasons would be a tough pill to swallow for a club used to success.

Despite their shaky season, Sporting KC is coming into this match on the back of a 3-0 victory over Orlando City SC on August 24. Their top scorer, Willy Agada, who has nine goals in 26 matches, will be back in the lineup after serving a suspension for a red card. His return adds some much-needed firepower to their attack.

However, SKC will still be missing their new defensive signing, Joaquin Fernandez, who is yet to make his debut due to injury. Head coach Peter Vermes is being cautious with his introduction to avoid further setbacks. “I just know over the last couple of years, if you don’t give somebody a preseason, it’s just a matter of time before they get injured. I want to avoid that.”

Key Matchups to Watch

Red Bulls’ Defense vs. SKC’s Attack: New York’s defensive issues were exposed in their loss to Philadelphia, and with Willy Agada returning to SKC’s lineup, the Red Bulls will need to tighten up their backline to prevent crucial goals.

Midfield Battle: With Lewis Morgan away on international duty, the Red Bulls might struggle to maintain their usual attacking spark. Controlling the midfield will be key for New York if they want to dictate the pace of the game and minimize Sporting KC’s chances.

Carlos Coronel’s Absence: The absence of their starting goalkeeper Carlos Coronel puts extra pressure on New York’s defensive unit. How well his replacement performs could be the difference between a win and a loss for the Red Bulls.

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What’s at Stake?

For the New York Red Bulls, staying near the top of the Eastern Conference and securing home-field advantage in the playoffs is crucial. With only seven games left in the regular season, every point matters as they look to regain their form and build momentum heading into the postseason.

On the flip side, Sporting Kansas City is in a much more desperate situation. Anything less than a victory would likely put their playoff hopes out of reach. With just seven games remaining, they need to capitalize on every opportunity, especially against a shorthanded Red Bulls squad.

Both teams have a lot riding on this match, and despite missing key players due to international duties, the stakes couldn’t be higher for these clubs chasing playoff dreams.