The New York Red Bulls turn back the challenge of Premiere League champions Chelsea on Wednesday, July 22. (Photo : Reuters)
Major League Soccer team New York Red Bulls will host Primeira Liga winners SL Benfica in a 2015 International Champions Cup friendly match at their home stadium Red Bull Arena in New Jersey on Sunday, July 26.
Os Encarnados new manager Rui Vitória is hopeful that he will get his first win with the Eagles in this one if the team does not obtain it on Friday against Italian club Fiorentina at the Rentschler Field in Connecticut.
Vitória lost his maiden match with Benfica in this same tournament last Saturday to the Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain, 2-3, via SportsNet. The high-scoring affair was closed out by PSG left back Lucas Digne in the 79th minute. His wards were led by the Brazilian duo of Talisca and Jonas who both scored a goal each in the first half of play.
The Red Bulls have so far been unbeaten in the friendlies with two wins and one draw. They defeated fellow MLS team San Jose Earthquakes in their opener, 2-0, and drawn the highly-touted LA Galaxy in their second game, 1-1.
However, the biggest surprise for head coach Jesse Marsch was the Bulls' victory over Premier League champions Chelsea on Wednesday, 4-2, as per Bleacher Report.
The New York side dominated the second half of the match where the Pensioners seemed overconfident and rusty. Midfielder Sean Davis provided a double to lead his team to the meaningful victory
The predicted result is a 2-1 win by the Red Bulls over Benfica. Marsch's men are already in midseason form as evidenced by their latest victories while Vitória will continue to get to know his team in time for next season.
SL Benfica starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): César; Almeida, Luisão, Jardel, Eliseu; Samaris, Fejsa, Talisca, Gaitán; Jonas, Lima
New York Red Bulls starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Reynish; Wallace, Miagza, Ouimette, Miller; Felipe, Sanchez, Davis; Grella, Zizzo, Sam
