New York Red Bulls v DC United: Schwarz impressed with mentality in absence of key players

Sandro Schwarz has praised the New York Red Bulls' mentality and character as they prepare to welcome DC United to the Red Bull Arena this Sunday. 

The Red Bulls maintained their three-match unbeaten run with an impressive 3-0 win over Toronto FC last weekend. 

Schwarz's side sit third in the Eastern Conference, five points behind FC Cincinnati, having played a game more than Pat Noonan's side. 

The New York squad are without several of their star players due to international duty, but Schwarz was impressed with how his side rose to the occasion in their latest MLS fixture.

"It's great character from the whole team, it's great mentality," Schwarz said. 

"We have seen since the first game and every training session that they are working very seriously and we need all the players, especially in this long season. 

"It's good to see that everyone is making these steps and this is necesarry for us, not only to look for two or three players. 

"We have to grow up as a team and it's good to see. We have missed important players for sure, but it's good to see as a group we are able to get points and it gives us a lot of confidence."

Meanwhile, DC United suffered a crushing defeat on home turf last time out, losing 4-1 to Houston Dynamo as Christian Benteke and Matai Akinmboni saw red and will miss the trip to New York. 

Troy Lesesne's side are without a win in their last eight MLS fixtures, a run which has seen his team ship 20 goals in that time. 

DC are currently one point ahead of bottom side Chicago Fire in the Western Conference table, level on points CF Montreal and New England Revolution, and know a victory is a must to get back to winning ways. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

NYRB – Elias Manoel

Elias Manoel’s 29th-minute opener for the Red Bulls on Saturday was the eighth goal scored from outside the box this season for the club, second most in MLS (Sporting Kansas City – 10).

Manoel (2) is the only Red Bulls player with multiple goals from outside the box this season.

DC United – Mateusz Klich

In the absence of top scorer Benteke, only two players have scored more than once this season, one of them being Mateusz Klich.

The experienced midfielder last found the back of the net against Toronto earlier this month, and his side will be hoping he can rediscover his goal-scoring touch this weekend. 

MATCH PREDICTION: NYRB WIN

The Red Bulls have won their last four meetings against DC United, including a 4-1 away win on May 15. It’s their longest-ever winning streak against their opponents in all competitions and the longest in the rivalry since D.C. won five in a row in 2004.

Schwarz’s side continued their impressive home form, extending their unbeaten run to 12 games (W8 D4) in all competitions in their triumph over Toronto on Saturday.

DC, however, are enduring their longest winless run since a nine-match span between September and October 2020. The Eagles have failed to win in their last eight matches (D2 L6).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY –

NYRB – 61.3%

Draw – 20.4%

DC United – 18.3%