Vanni Sartini expects an exciting duel when his team Vancouver Whitecaps takes on the New York Red Bulls.
Vancouver has gotten off to a good start in the MLS season and is in second place in the Western Conference.
The Red Bulls are currently in second place in the East.
This game will be the teams’ first meeting since 2019, and Sartini joked that facing teams from another conference would be like taking a trip to a casino.
He said: “It will be difficult. It’s like going to the casino when you play against the Eastern teams – you never know!
“Maybe you’ll face the team that’s in last place, which is first place. Unfortunately, this season we are playing against the Red Bulls, who are doing very well.”
Sartini explained what he expects from the Red Bulls: “They are a team with a very distinct and particular style of play, like us, to be honest.”
“We have to be very intense because they are, they are very intense in pressing, counter-pressing and counter-attacks and we have to be very well organized. It’s a game that will be decided in the second half, it will stay close until the end – that’s my feeling.”
Make the statement. #RedRunsDeep | @oanda pic.twitter.com/IrMML0nDYD
– New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) April 26, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New York Red Bulls – Lewis Morgan
Morgan is enjoying a good season, leading the Red Bulls’ scoring charts in MLS with six goals.
Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White
White moved from the Red Bulls to the Caps in 2021. He has scored four goals in MLS this season, making him Vancouver’s leading scorer.
MATCH PREDICTION: NEW YORK RED BULLS WIN
Ryan Gauld and White have each contributed to at least one goal in their last five MLS games, marking the longest streak in Whitecaps history. Before them, only three players in team history had contributed a goal in five consecutive games.
With 16 points in eight games, the Whitecaps had the best eight-game start in the club’s history (including 2015). Vancouver has never had more than 17 points after nine games in a season (2012).
The Red Bulls have lost just one of their first nine games this season (W4 D4), the second time in the club’s history that they have suffered fewer than two defeats at this stage of a season, along with their victory in the Supporters’ Shield 2015 (also). W4 D4 L1).
Six of the 12 all-time meetings between the Red Bulls and Whitecaps have been drawn (Whitecaps won four times, Red Bulls won two), but New York is expected to win this game.
OPTA PROBABILITY OF WINNING
NYRB – 48.9%
Vancouver Whitecaps – 23.3%
Draw – 27.8%