New York Red Bulls vs. FC Cincinnati | 2020 MLS Match Preview

RBNY look for season's first winning streak vs. FC Cincy

RBNY-CIN Week 12

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 12
New York Red Bulls vs. FC Cincinnati
Red Bull Arena – Harrison
September 19 – 7:00 PM ET


STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada


LOCAL TV: MSG, Star64


The New York Red Bulls are seeking their first winning streak of the season, and to avenge an MLS is Back Tournament defeat, when they host FC Cincinnati Saturday night at Red Bull Arena. 


The Red Bulls (4W-5L-2D) are coming off a 2-0 victory over longtime rival D.C. United at Audi Field, while FC Cincinnati (2W-6L-3D) are looking to avoid consecutive defeats at Red Bull Arena after suffering a 2-1 loss to New York City FC which extended a winless streak to six.


New York opened the season with a 3-2 win over FC Cincinnati at Red Bull Arena, but Jaap Stam's side returned the favor in Orlando with a 2-0 group stage victory. 


New York Red Bulls


After a tumultuous two weeks, which included consecutive home defeats and a coaching change, the New York Red Bulls snapped a four-match winless streak with a 2-0 victory over struggling D.C. United at Audi Field. Aaron Long headed in a Kaku set piece service and Danny Royer put the game away with a left-footed volley to hand Bradley Carnell his first win as interim coach. 


“What it means for me, it means nothing for me. It's just three points and the next game is looming, so my prep already starts tomorrow for the next opponent,” Carnell said after the match. “What it means for the team, I think that's important. I think it's really a relief for the players, I think it's a relief for the club and I think that's the most important takeaway for the players. I told the players individually today in the meeting, it's all about you. It's you, It’s you, It’s you, I think if we have a bunch of yous collectively, we will be strong. I think you could see that from the performance. I think you can see that from the guys who stepped on the field that everyone was dialed in.”

New York Red Bulls vs. FC Cincinnati | 2020 MLS Match Preview - Project Starting XI
  • Updated team roster
  • Injury Report:
    • OUT: Sean Davis (M) - knee injury
    • OUT: Ryan Meara (GK) - hip injury
    • QUESTIONABLE: Mark Rzatkowski (M) - hip injury
  • Suspended: None
  • Suspended after next caution: None
  • International duty:  None


FC Cincinnati


A goalless streak that eclipsed 550 minutes came to an end with a 74th-minute Brandon Vazquez and FC Cincinnati had NYCFC on their heels in the final 20 minutes, but a second goal was not to be had and they suffered their second consecutive defeat and their sixth straight game without a win, dating back to the 2-0 MLS is Back victory over the Red Bulls. 


"There’s no happiness. There’s disappointment," Stam said. "In the second half, you expect from the start a little more. You can see the second goal from a set piece. The ball goes back to the edge of the box. They can have a shot and it goes in. Can’t be happening, to be honest, and there you need to change something. Then we see a lot of spirit in what we want to see. Basically, in determination, being aggressive, going forward on the ball as well, scoring that goal, being a threat going forward in the box. So yeah, there’s disappointment to be honest. For me, at least.”


According to reports, Chilean center back Juan Fuentes may become the club's latest signing. The 25-year-old joined Estudiantes last summer from CD O'Higgins and has made 18 appearances with the club.

New York Red Bulls vs. FC Cincinnati | 2020 MLS Match Preview - Project Starting XI
  • Updated team roster
  • Injury Report:
    • OUT: Jimmy McLaughlin (M) - ankle injury
    • OUT: Saad Abdul-Salaam (D) - undisclosed injury
  • Suspended: Mathieu Deplagne (D)
  • Suspended after next caution: None
  • International duty: None


Series Matchup at Red Bulls


  • Red Bulls: 2 wins, 4 goals
  • FC Cincinnati: 0 wins, 2 goals
  • 0 draws


Officials


  • Referee: Robert Sibiga
  • Assistant Referees: Adam Garner, Ian McKay
  • 4th Official: Guido Gonzales Jr
  • VAR: Chris Penso