The New York Red Bulls return to league action as they travel to Bank of America Stadium to face Charlotte FC.
Manager Miguel Angel Ramirez was sacked by the hosts during the break with assistant Christian Lattanzio serving as the interim boss for the remainder of the season.
New York will look to continue their road form that has seen them win five of six. They picked up a 4-1 victory against DC United before the international break, lifting them to third in the Eastern Conference.
Team news
Defender Harrison Afful and midfielder Chris Hegardt are questionable with leg and knee injuries, respectively.
Strikers Yordy Reyna (thigh) and Vinicius Mello (foot) as well as defender Adam Armour (knee) and backup goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega (concussion) have all been ruled out.
The visitors will be without the services of strikers Ashley Fletcher (knee) and Serge Ngoma (hamstring) along with midfielder Wiki Carmona and defender Andres Reyes, who both have foot issues.
Defender Juan Castillo has been signed on a short-term loan from New York Red Bulls II to provide cover.
Predicted lineups
Charlotte FC: Kahlina; Fuchs, Corujo, Makoun, Lindsey; Bronico; Bender, Alcivar, Bronico; Shinyashiki, Swiderski
New York Red Bulls: Coronel; Tolkin, S. Nealis, Edwards, D. Nealis; Amaya, Yearwood; Luquinhas, Fernandez, Morgan; Klimala
Ones to watch
Ben Bender (Charlotte FC)
The number one overall pick in this year's MLS Draft has shown himself well with two goals and three assists in playing all 14 games so far.
His creativity as a box-to-box midfielder is perfect for the energetic, dribbling system Charlotte likes to employ. He also has the ability to drive forward with purpose before picking out a pass, and always has a knack for being at the right place at the right time.
Cristian Casseres Jr. (New York Red Bulls)
Fresh off of international duty with Venezuela, the 22-year old midfielder has had a solid season, appearing in nine games and playing in the double pivot role alongside Frankie Amaya.
Previous meeting
The only prior match between the two sides was a 3-1 victory for New York in the Round of 16 in the US Open Cup just 16 days ago.
Patryk Klimala scored from point-blank range in the second minute following a scramble from a corner kick to give the Red Bulls an early 1-0 lead.
Charlotte leveled as a layoff by Andre Shinyashiki found Daniel Rios and he beat Carlos Coronel in the eighth minute.
New York would take the lead for good on 63 minutes as Klimala cut the ball for Dylan Nealis, who finished from the back post.
Tom Barlow rounded out the scoring in the second minute of stoppage time when Luquinhas won the ball and found him with a cutback which he finished.
How to watch
The match will be nationally televised on ABC with kickoff set for 3pm Eastern time.
