LAFC vs. New York Red Bulls
Saturday, April 20 at 7:30pm PT
Location: BMO Stadium - Los Angeles, CA
TV: Apple TV – MLS Season Pass
After playing to a 2-2 draw at the Portland Timbers last Saturday, LAFC next hosts the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, April 20, at BMO Stadium.
A Mateusz Bogusz double in Portland helped the Black & Gold (3W-3L-2D) earn a point against the Timbers. LAFC now sits sixth in the Western Conference (based on Supporters’ Shield tiebreakers). LAFC has earned 11 points through eight matches played.
LAFC is 2W-1L-0D all time against the Red Bulls across all competitions and has won the last two matchups. Their last meeting was a 2-0 home victory for LAFC in 2022. Midfielder Ilie Sánchez and defender Jesús Murillo are the only LAFC starters from that game who are expected to start this Saturday. Before that, The Black & Gold grabbed a 4-2 home win in 2019, which avenged a 2-1 defeat at Red Bull Arena in LAFC's maiden season a year earlier.
LAFC defender Aaron Long will face off against his former team for the first time since he departed New York for Los Angeles following that 2022 season. Long spent six years (2017-2022) with the Red Bulls, making 139 appearances and scoring 12 goals.
Red Bulls in-depth
Led by head coach Sandro Schwarz, the Red Bulls have their eyes set on making their 15th straight playoff appearance.
The Red Bulls, undefeated in their last four matches, own a record of 4W-1L-3D in MLS play and sit second place in the Eastern Conference based on Supporters’ Shield tiebreakers.
Scottish winger Lewis Morgan, who has six goals on the year, is currently tied for first place in the MLS Golden Boot race.
The club added Swedish international midfielder Emil Forsberg from German Bundesliga sister side RB Leipzig, where he spent nearly a decade, scoring 71 goals in more than 300 appearances.
The Black & Gold Will Win If:
The team can score first and control the tempo of the match. LAFC is undefeated in its four home matches in 2024, outscoring opponents 9-2. LAFC’s management of NYRB’s high press will be pivotal, especially without midfielder Eduard Atuesta, who will miss the match due to yellow card accumulation.
The Red Bulls Can Win If:
They are able to break down an LAFC back line that has only given up two goals at home in 2024. The Red Bulls will most likely come out in a 4-4-2 formation, aiming to press high from the start of the match. With an ability to counterattack as well, they may also aim to catch the Black & Gold off guard.
