New York Red Bulls welcome Atlanta United to the Red Bull Arena for an Eastern Conference encounter in MLS on Saturday night.
The two teams rescued a point each in 2-2 draws last time out, with the Red Bulls sharing the spoils with Charlotte FC and Atlanta playing out a four-goal draw with New York City FC.
Match preview
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Following an 18-day layoff from competitive action, New York Red Bulls were staring down the barrel at a third successive home defeat in all competitions when they conceded twice in the opening 19 minutes against Charlotte on Thursday.
However, Troy Lesesne's side valiantly fought back in the second half and rescued a point courtesy of goals from Dante Vanzeir and Cameron Harper, the latter of whom scoring his first of the campaign.
After finishing fourth in the Eastern Conference last year, New York Red Bulls are currently languishing in 13th spot this term having only won four of their 18 matches. Victory on Sunday could see them climb into the Final Series playoff positions, though, if other results were to go their way.
Lesesne and co conclude the month of June with a third consecutive home match this weekend and they will hope to extend their six-game unbeaten run against Atlanta at the Red Bull Arena.
Lewis Morgan and Serge Ngoma were both on the scoresheet in a 2-1 comeback victory at home against Atlanta last year, with both goals scored in the final seven minutes to turn the game on its head in dramatic fashion.
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Atlanta played out their fifth MLS draw in six matches when they came from behind twice to salvage a 2-2 draw at home against New York City on Thursday.
Gabriel Pereira's 42-second opener was cancelled out by Tyler Wolff on the 11-minute mark – Atlanta's 350th MLS goal – before the former restored the visitors' lead with a second strike just before the hour mark.
However, Atlanta had the last laugh as substitute Nick Firmino marked his debut with a dramatic 94th-minute equaliser, heading home a looping Brooks Lennon cross to ensure that the spoils were shared in Georgia.
Only Toronto (10) have drawn more MLS games than Atlanta (eight) so far this season, but that result was enough for Gonzalo Pineda's men to climb up to fifth in the Eastern Conference table and notch up 29 points from 19 games, 11 points fewer than their total of 40 points from last season with 15 games still remaining.
The Five Stripes, who have scored more MLS goals (37) than any other team so far this term, are now seeking to end their eight-game winless run on the road by claiming their first-ever victory at the Red Bull Arena, and Pineda's side can take confidence from their slender 1-0 home win over New York Red Bulls in their last meeting in April.
Team News
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New York Red Bulls will be without Serge Ngoma, Omir Fernandez (both hamstring), Steven Sserwadda (knee) and Lewis Morgan (unspecified) due to injury, while Jamaica's Cory Burke and USA's John Tolkin are both away on international duty at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
However, Andres Reyes is available to return after serving a one-match suspension last time out and the centre-back could be recalled to the starting lineup at the expense of Hassan Ndam.
Vanzeir will be pushing to start after scoring as a substitute on Thursday, while Tom Barlow and Dru Yearwood will also be hoping to force their way back into the first XI.
As for Atlanta, Santiago Sosa is doubtful with a calf problem and will be assessed ahead of kickoff, while Miles Robinson is with the USA squad for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Giorgos Giakoumakis has served a one-match suspension and is available for selection on Sunday, with the Greek striker and Firmino both pushing to start ahead of Miguel Berry.
Experienced midfielder Osvaldo Alonso has featured as a late substitute in the last two matches since recovering from an ACL injury, and the 37-year-old will soon be hoping to earn back his place in the first XI.
New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:
Carlos; Harper, Reyes, S. Nealis, Duncan; Stroud, Amaya; Luquinhas, Casseres Jr, Barlow; Vanzeir
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Lennon, Cobb, Sanches, Gutman; Fortune, Sosa; Wolff, Sejdic, Wiley; Giakoumakis
We say: New York Red Bulls 1-2 Atlanta United
Both teams will fancy their chances of claim maximum points in this fixture, and although Atlanta have struggled to come away with positive results in previous meetings at New York Red Bulls, Sunday could be the day that they finally record their first win at the Red Bull Arena.
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