On Saturday, April 20th, 2024, at 7:30 PM PT, LAFC will face off against the New York Red Bulls at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, CA.
After drawing 2-2 against the Portland Timbers last Saturday, LAFC is gearing up to host the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, April 20th, at BMO Stadium.
Mateusz Bogusz’s brace in Portland helped LAFC (3W-3L-2D) secure a point against the Timbers. The team currently occupies the sixth spot in the Western Conference standings, having earned 11 points from eight matches.
LAFC has a historical advantage over the Red Bulls, boasting a record of 2 wins, 1 loss, and no draws across all competitions. The team has emerged victorious in their last two encounters, including a 2-0 home triumph in 2022. Only midfielder Ilie Sánchez and defender Jesús Murillo, who started in that game, are expected to feature in the starting lineup this Saturday. Prior to that, LAFC secured a 4-2 home victory in 2019, avenging a 2-1 defeat at Red Bull Arena in their inaugural season.
Saturday’s match will also mark LAFC defender Aaron Long’s first encounter with his former club since departing for Los Angeles after the 2022 season. Long spent six years (2017-2022) with the Red Bulls, amassing 139 appearances and scoring 12 goals during his tenure.
Under the guidance of head coach Sandro Schwarz, the Red Bulls are aiming to extend their streak of 15 consecutive playoff appearances.
Having remained undefeated in their last four matches, the Red Bulls boast a record of 4 wins, 1 loss, and 3 draws in MLS play, securing the second spot in the Eastern Conference standings based on Supporters’ Shield tiebreakers.
Scottish winger Lewis Morgan, who has netted six goals thus far, currently shares the lead in the MLS Golden Boot race.
The team strengthened its roster by acquiring Swedish international midfielder Emil Forsberg from RB Leipzig in the German Bundesliga, where he enjoyed nearly a decade-long tenure, tallying 71 goals in over 300 appearances.
LAFC’s Path to Victory:
LAFC stands a good chance of winning if they can secure an early goal and dictate the pace of the game. Their undefeated record in four home matches this year, where they’ve outscored opponents 9-2, underscores their strength at home. Successfully managing the high press from NYRB will be crucial, particularly in the absence of midfielder Eduard Atuesta, who will be sidelined due to yellow card accumulation.
Red Bulls’ Route to Victory:
The Red Bulls have a solid chance of winning if they can penetrate LAFC’s defense, which has conceded only two goals at home in 2024. Opting for a 4-4-2 formation, they’re likely to apply high pressure right from the beginning of the match. Additionally, they may look to exploit LAFC’s vulnerabilities through counterattacks, aiming to catch their opponents off guard.
