Following a successful International Champions Cup stint, the New York Red Bulls are back in 2015 Major League Soccer action as it visits Canadian club Montreal Impact in a match set at the Saputo Stadium in Quebec on Wednesday, August 5.
This was the second MLS game for the Red Bulls after their excellent showing in the annual North American friendlies where they placed second behind French champions Paris Saint-Germain finishing with a 3-1 record.
In the ICC, Coach Jesse Marsch's boys turned back the challenges of Portuguese champs Benfica (2-1), English champs Chelsea (4-2), and fellow MLS team San Jose Earthquakes (2-0). Their only loss was in the hands of another MLS team, the LA Galaxy, whose 1-1 standoff counted for a penalty loss for both teams.
The Bulls won their first match back in the MLS against the Philadelphia Union last Sunday, 3-1, as per SkySports.
Meanwhile, Montreal had won their last two MLS games to stay in the hunt for the final playoff spot.
After blanking the Seattle Sounders on July 26, 1-0, the Impact escaped over lowly New York City FC, 3-2, to spoil the debut of former Manchester City player Frank Lampard, via The Guardian.
Facing the other New York team next, Frank Klopas' squad will be having a tough time breaking the defense of the Red Bulls, who have only allowed a league-low 24 goals in the season so far.
Prediction: A 3-1 win by the Red Bulls over the Impact. New York is riding high on a five-game winning streak including the ICC friendlies and they are firing on all cylinders at this time.
Montreal Impact starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Bush; Toia, Ciman, Cabrera, Oyongo; Donadel, Mallace; Duka, Piatti, Romero; Oduro
New York Red Bulls starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Robles; Wallace, Perrinelle, Miazga, Lade; Felipe, McCarty; Wright-Phillips, Kljestan, Sam; Abang