Red Bull New York will host St. Louis City SC in a crucial game for both sides with the playoffs fast approaching.
The match was due to take place on Saturday 26 September, but due to the Nor'easter storm on the East Coast over the weekend, it was rescheduled to Wednesday 30 September.
The Red Bulls come into the game off the back of consecutive 1-0 victories, at home to Columbus Crew and then away in the Hudson River derby against New York City FC.
Michael Bradley's team sit eighth in the Eastern Conference of the MLS, but are only ahead of NYCFC and FC Cincinnati on the total wins tiebreaker, with all teams on 33 points.
Their opponents, however, are carrying a 16-game unbeaten run into this fixture, and sit in fifth place in the Western Conference, although a win in this game in hand would take them up to second place, so Yoann Damet's side will prove extremely tough opposition.
These two sides have never faced one another before in a competitive match, with St. Louis City having joined the MLS in 2023 and only facing off in friendlies.
Team News
Red Bull New York
Last week's derby hero, 18-year-old striker Julian Hall, received his first call-up to the US Men's National Team and is therefore unavailable while on international duty. He scored in his first two appearances for his country already, bagging one against Peru and one against Chile.
Eight other Red Bull players are representing their countries during the break, including Ronald Donkor, Matthew dos Santos and Adri Mehmeti who have been starters under Bradley this season, with Mehmeti also earning his first call-up to the USMNT senior side.
Cameron Harper, Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty and Justin Che are all doubts for the game with injury, although the initial postponement may have helped them recover in time.
The Red Bulls are lucky that no players are suspended for this match, with three of their players (Hall, Dylan Nealis and Jorge Ruvalcaba) as well as the head coach receiving fines for inciting mass confrontation in the Hudson River derby.
St. Louis City
Damion Downs is the only player from St. Louis away on international duty, with the German-born striker receiving another call-up to the USMNT, with whom he is still awaiting his first goal.
Injury doubts for the game are striker Brendan McSorley and Palmer Ault, as well as centre-back Kyle Hiebert who has been out since July with a hip problem but could be back in time for St. Louis' next fixture.
Likely Lineups
Red Bull New York
Ethan Horvath; Dylan Nealis, Tim Parker, Julián Bazán, Devin Padelford; Mohammed Sofo, Emil Forsberg, Sekou Kone; Cade Cowell, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Jorge Ruvalcaba
St. Louis City
Roman Bürki; Jaziel Orozco, Timo Baumgartl, Fallou Fall; Conrad Wallem, Christopher Durkin, Alexandru Mățan, Tomas Totland; Sang-Bin Jeong, Rafael Navarro, Carlo Holse
Key Players
Ethan Horvath
If Michael Bradley's side are going to get anything out of this game, he will need a strong performance from goalkeeper Ethan Horvath.
The stopper is in red-hot form, keeping three clean sheets in the previous four matches and being awarded Player of the Match in the 0-0 draw at Seattle Sounders.
Rafael Navarro
On the flipside, St. Louis' top scorer Rafael Navarro will need to be on top form for his team to come away with the three points.
With 14 goals and three assists in the MLS this year, he has led the line excellently for Yoann Damet's side, and the Red Bulls may have to approach the game stubbornly with so many players unavailable, limiting opportunities for the Brazilian striker.
Match Details
Where is the game being played?
The Red Bulls are hosting St. Louis in this game at the Sports Illustrated Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off will be at 7:30pm Eastern/6:30pm Central on Wednesday 30 September.
How can I watch?
The match is available to watch exclusively through Apple TV.
