![RSLshield_thumb[2]](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_0C2715GX9S0/SelOYMUGHhI/AAAAAAAACLs/3uzVMKTMt60/s1600-h/RSLshield_thumb%5B2%5D%5B20%5D.gif "RSLshield_thumb[2]")
New York Red Bulls –vs- Real Salt Lake
Saturday April 18, 2009, 5:30 PM
Giants Stadium: East Rutherford, New Jersey
KUTV 2.2/Comcast 111
This match is the 8th all-time between the two sides with the Red Bulls winning two of the previous matches and the other six ending in draws.
The Red Bulls will look for their first goal scored by a Red Bulls player on the season (they received an own goal from New England in Week #2).
Real Salt will be looking for a three-game winning streak and their first ever win against the Red Bulls.
INJURY REPORTS:
NEW YORK RED BULLS:
QUESTIONABLE: FW Macoumba Kandji (R ankle sprain); DF Carlos Mendes (groin strain); DF Kevin Goldthwaite (hip pointer);
GK Danny Cepero (concussion) …
REAL SALT LAKE:OUT: DF Ian Joy (L hamstring strain);
PROBABLE: DF Nat Borchers (R ankle sprain); DF Robbie Russell (R rotator cuff surgery)
| GP | W-L-T | PTS | GF | GA | |
| NYRB | 4 | 0-2-2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| home | 1 | 0-0-1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| RSL | 3 | 2-1-0 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| road | 1 | 0-1-0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Position breakdown:
Goalkeeping: New York has had the most turmoil of any team at the keeper spot this season. They started out with Cepero, who was in a word “awful”. They started Dufty last week who did well by all accounts, and so they promptly waived him. This week Conway is expected to start after serving his suspension for a banned substance. RSL will have the steady Rimando in net. However this week Seitz will not be available as he is on loan with Cleveland’s USL-side. However, he won’t be needed anyway. ADVANTAGE: RSL
Defenders: Marshmallow soft is how McCarthy described the NYRB defense. The addition of Pacheco likely won’t change that overnight. RSL boasts their usual steady backline, and will have Robbie Russell in the 18 should Beltran (or anyone else) stumble early on. ADVANTAGE: RSL
Midfielders: The departure of Dave van den Burgh and the attempt to play Rojas in a creative role have left the Bulls lacking in the midfield. Smith and Richards have all of the physical ability on the wings, but just can’t seem to make positive contributions. RSL boasts one of the stronger midfields in the league with Morales steering the ship, and Beckerman guarding the port. Will Johnson is an all-star in the making, and Mathis is having a bit of a resurgence in his game. ADVANTAGE: RSL
Forwards: Juan Pablo Angel is likely the most talented forward in the league. However, he likes to receive the ball in deep. The lack of service from the midfield has hurt his game. RSL has seen signs of life from this spot over the last 6-months that had long been a weak spot. JPA is still dangerous. ADVANTAGE: NYRB
Intangibles: Coaching, home field, style of play, momentum, depth. Osorio is a clever coach that likes to mix it up. Home field and history are also in the Red bulls favor. Momentum is not, but home field and the turf will negate that. ADVANTAGE: DRAW
Once again this should be RSL. I think the noteworthy thing for New York will be their first offensive goal of the season. My bet: 2-1 RSL.
