Match Preview: Atlanta United vs. New York Red Bulls

ATLANTA (Sept. 28, 2018) – Atlanta United returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 30 when it travels to face New York Red Bulls in a clash of the top two teams in the MLS standings at Red Bull Arena. Atlanta enters the match in first place in the Supporters’ Shield race (19-5-6, 63 points) while Red Bulls sits in second place in the Eastern Conference (18-7-5, 59 points). The match is scheduled to kick-off at 1 p.m. EST and will be nationally televised on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.

Atlanta defeated Real Salt Lake 2-0 on Sept. 22 in front of 72,017 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Julian Gressel scored his third goal of the season to give Atlanta the lead in the 31st minute, controlling a Miguel Almirón cross before volleying a shot into the far corner. Tito Villalba doubled the lead with a left-footed strike in the second half and has now scored in each of the past three matches. Atlanta clinched a top-two finish in the Eastern Conference and a first-round bye in the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs. With a win in New York, the club would also secure a bid in the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League as the American team with the highest point total over the 2017 and 2018 MLS regular seasons.

New York Red Bulls is coming off a 2-0 victory against Toronto FC on Sept. 22 at Red Bull Arena behind second-half goals from Kaku and Derrick Etienne Jr. Forward Bradley Wright-Phillips picked up a late yellow card and will be suspended for the match against Atlanta due to yellow card accumulation.

 

 

MATCH INFORMATION

Sunday, Sept. 30 Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ |1 p.m. (EST)

Atlanta United (19-5-6, 63 points) vs. New York Red Bulls (18-7-5, 59 points)

 

 

BROADCAST SCHEDULE

English TV | ESPN

Spanish Radio | La Mejor 1600 AM

English Radio | 92-9 The Game (local)

Pre-match coverage:

12 p.m.: AT&T Countdown to Kickoff (FB Live/Periscope)

12:30 p.m.: The Pre-Game show (92-9 The Game)

 

MEDIA RESOURCES

• Atlanta United-New York Red Bulls game notes
• Atlanta United 2018 media guide
• Atlanta United match day photos

 

 

VIDEO

 

 

• Atlanta United head coach Tata Martino
  • On Red Bulls, away wins

 

• Atlanta United midfielder Julian Gressel
  • On Red Bulls, playing in big games

 

 

 

• Video: MLS Soundbytes