Despite a recent lack of consistent scoring, the New York Red Bulls find themselves in a decent playoff position but also know their favorable position can change in a hurry.
With five matches left, the Red Bulls are hoping to start a late winning streak Saturday night when they host Atlanta United in Harrison, N.J.
New York (10-6-13, 43 points) is 1-2-6 in its past nine matches and has scored three goals in a four-match winless slide (0-2-2) since returning from the Leagues Cup break.
The Red Bulls saw their woes continue with a 2-1 loss at Chicago a week ago, but they share the point total with fourth-place Orlando — which has two more wins — and are three points ahead of sixth-place NYCFC, whom they host next week.
Against Chicago, Dennis Gjrengaar scored the lone goal early in the second half after New York allowed a goal in the 31st minute. The Red Bulls gave up the tiebreaking goal in the 75th minute on a header and saw only two of their 13 shot attempts go on target.
“It’s too simple how we concede the goal, and this is what we have to change immediately, our behavior immediately, because it’s necessary now for the last five games,” New York coach Sandro Schwarz said.
Atlanta (8-13-8, 32 points) will face the Red Bulls twice in its final five matches and enters this weekend one point behind the ninth-place Philadelphia Union for the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot.
Atlanta United are 2-5-2 in their past nine matches following a four-match unbeaten streak from June 15-29. Atlanta salvaged a point with Wednesday’s 2-2 draw against visiting Inter Miami and bounced back from its 2-0 home loss to Nashville last weekend.
Alexey Miranchuk scored the tying goal in the 84th minute on a strike from beyond the penalty area. Saba Lobjanidze also scored but Atlanta registered just five shots on goal.
“At this point, we need points,” Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan said. “We needed three points. We had as many chances as we had, and we should be coming away with three points.”
–Field Level Media