Sports Mole previews Wednesday’s Major League Soccer clash between New York Red Bulls and Charlotte FC, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Charlotte FC will be looking to pick up consecutive away wins for the first time this season when they journey to the Red Bull Arena to face New York Red Bulls on Wednesday.
The Red Bulls, on the other hand, head into the midweek tie as one of just three MLS sides yet to suffer defeat on home turf this season and will be looking to extend this impressive run.
Match preview
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New York Red Bulls’ three-match unbeaten run in the Hudson River Derby came to an end on May 19 as they fell to a 2-1 loss against local rivals New York City FC at Citi Field.
The game got off to a bang as Hannes Wolf struck inside the opening three minutes to put the home side in front, and after Cameron Harper pulled one back on the stroke of half time, Monsef Bakrar netted in the 64th minute to hand the Pigeons a narrow victory.
Prior to that, New York Red Bulls snapped their four-game winless run when they edged out New England Revolution 4-2 on May 12, four days before thrashing DC United 4-1 at Audi Field.
After two games on the road, Sandro Schwarz‘s men now return home, where they are unbeaten in their five matches this season, claiming three wins and two draws while scoring 11 goals and keeping two clean sheets so far.
New York Red Bulls have now picked up six wins and five draws in their 14 MLS matches so far to collect 23 points and sit fifth in the Eastern Conference table, one point and two placed above Wednesday’s visitors.
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Charlotte FC, meanwhile, were involved in a share of the spoils for the second consecutive game as they played out a goalless draw with Philadelphia Union at the Bank of America Stadium on Sunday.
In an action-packed contest, a combined 24 shots were fired in the game but neither goalkeeper would end up picking the ball out of the back of the net as both sides failed to make their chances count before settling for a point.
Dean Smith‘s men were previously on a three-match winning streak, seeing off Portland Timbers, Nashville and Chicago Fire before playing out a goalless draw with Los Angeles Galaxy on May 19.
With Sunday’s result, Charlotte have now gone four consecutive home matches without defeat, claiming two wins and two draws since a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Minnesota United on April 21.
While the Crowns have been rock-solid at home in recent weeks, they have struggled for results on their travels, where they have won just one of their six league games this season while losing four and picking up one draw so far.
Next up for Charlotte is the stern challenge of taking on a Red Bulls side whom they have failed to get the better of in any of their last four encounters, losing twice and picking up two draws since a 2-0 victory in June 2022.
New York Red Bulls Major League Soccer form:
Charlotte FC Major League Soccer form:
Team News
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New York Red Bulls will have to cope without defender Sean Nealis, who is currently suspended after picking up a late red card in the derby last time out.
In his absence, Colombian defender Andres Reyes should return to the starting XI, forming the back four with Kyle Duncan, Noah Eile and left-back John Tolkin.
On the injury front, the Red Bulls will take to the pitch without the services of Ronald Donkor (hip), Peter Stroud (ankle) and Roald Mitchell (knee), who all continue their spells on the sidelines.
Charlotte, on the other hand, will head into the midweek clash without the duo of Junior Urso and defender Jere Uronen, who are currently recuperating from thigh injuries.
American midfielder Brandon Cambridge is also out of contention for the visitors as he continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after picking up a severe injury back in October.
New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:
Coronel; Duncan, Reyes, Eile, Tolkin; Harper, Amaya, Edelman, Morgan; Vanzeir, Manoel
Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Kahlina; Byrne, Malanda, Privett, Pedro; Bronico, Westwood, Diani; Tavares, Agyemang, Vargas
We say: New York Red Bulls 3-1 Charlotte FC
The previous six meetings between New York Red Bulls and Charlotte have produced a combined 21 goals and we anticipate another action-packed contest at the Red Bull Arena. Schwarz’s men have picked up three wins and one draw in their four home games against the Crows and we fancy them to come away with the desired results once again.
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