The New York Red Bulls (11-5-5) will be on the road this weekend to play the Montreal Impact (7-13-3) Saturday at Stade Saputo.
The Red Bulls have defeated the expansion side both times the teams have met this season. New York won the May 19 meeting in Montreal, 2-1, after taking the first match at Red Bull Arena, 5-2, on March 31. Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry scored a hat trick in the first meeting, while Kenny Cooper has scored a goal in both previous matches.
The Red Bulls are in first place in the Eastern Conference, just one point ahead of Sporting Kansas City. Montreal is in seventh place in the East, seven points out of the final playoff spot. The Impact are third in the East in home goals (20) this season while the Red Bulls are tied for first in the East and third overall in MLS in road goals (15).
The Red Bulls just signed their third Designated Player in midfielder Tim Cahill, but don't expect him to play until New York's friendly against Tottenham Hotspur on July 31. New York's Designated Players, Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez, are both expected to play against Montreal.
Red Bulls Leaders:
Cooper leads New York with 13 goals but Henry is close behind with 10 goals. Henry also leads MLS with 1.29 points per 90. Striker Sebastien Le Toux has a goal and an assist in three matches since coming over from the Vancouver Whitecaps, while goalkeeper Bill Gaudette is 2-0-1 with two shutouts since being traded to New York by the LA Galaxy.
Impact Leaders:
Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts has two shutouts and a 1.75 goals against average on the season. Midfielder Patrice Bernier leads the team with six goals and five assists. Midfielder Felipe Martins is tied for the team lead with five assists and also has three goals. Midfielder Davy Arnaud has three goals, three assists and draws nearly three fouls per 90 minutes.
Game Time: 7:30 p.m.
Venue: Stade Saputo, Montreal, Que.
TV: MSG
Season Series: New York Leads, 2-0-0
For more on the Red Bulls, please be sure to check out our blog Once A Metro.