New York Red Bulls is the postseason enemy the Union have been waiting for: A rival that will push Philly to the limit and make them prove their bona fides as one of the best in the east. The Union and Red Bulls split the season series in a pair of messy matches that were turned by, first, Ilsinho and, later, a single goalkeeping error by Andre Blake.
Red Bulls have not been quite as extreme in their pressing and pushing forward this season, but Chris Armas’ side pitched shutouts in three of their final four matches as they showed that when midfield was theirs, they remain elite.
The biggest question Armas faces on Sunday is how to set up his midfield. In those final four matches, Red Bull used Kaku at the No. 10 twice and Mark Rztatkowski twice in the same role. This is not entirely dissimilar from the choice that Jim Curtin faces when he looks at Marco Fabian and Jamiro Monteiro. The former’s attacking skillset is likely superior, but the latter may provide a better fit for a squad that wants to make the midfield a suffocating, uncomfortable place.
Armas used Kaku against DC United and Montreal Impact and his side generated a total of four shots on goal. When Rzatkowski started against the Union and Portland Timbers, New York chalked up 13 looks on frame.
If Kaku sits, Rzatkowski is likely to start in front of Sean Davis and Cristian Casseres Jr. If Kaku starts, either Davis or Rzatkowski will have to come off the bench.
Last time these clubs faced off, the Union’s biggest issue was controlling Red Bulls’ wingers. Daniel Royer is a multifaceted threat off the left who can turn provider or get into the box to finish. Josh Sims is far more useful as a ball mover who draws attention to one side of the pitch in order to open space in the middle.
A final question mark for Sunday is the health of Kyle Duncan. Red Bulls’ back line was at its best when Duncan, Tim Parker, Aaron Long, and Kemar Lawrence got a run of games together. After Duncan, the right back, exited early against Montreal, his return will be something everyone involved in this match will monitor closely.
The Union and Red Bulls face off in Round One of the 2019 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs on October 20 at 3:00 p.m. ET. The match will be broadcast live on FS1.
