Scouting New York Red Bulls: What FC Dallas Needs to Know 🔎

For the second week in a row, FC Dallas will remain on the road as they take on the New York Red Bulls. Or Red Bulls New York. However you want to label them.

The two sides met in preseason, with FC Dallas rolling to a 3-0 win…which, let’s be honest, means absolutely nothing now. This Red Bulls group is in the middle of a mixed run of form of their own, including a 2-0 loss at FC Cincinnati last weekend.

For Dallas, this one is going to be about handling pressure, both literally and figuratively. If Dallas can stay composed, avoid mistakes in the back, there’s an opportunity here for them to pick up rare points for the first time since 2006.

Let’s dive into the Red Bulls.

Potential Lineup & Tactic Style:

Michael Bradley’s first year with the Red Bulls as manager is more of the same for this organization: high press along with high energy for the full 90 minutes. They want to win the ball up the field, turn you over in dangerous spots and create chances before you can figure out what just happened. They’re direct, aggressive and when it works, they’re suffocating.

• Offensive tendencies - Bradley’s team is going full tilt on their attack in recent weeks. In some games, the attack is finding ways with Julian Hall and Jorge Ruvalcaba leading the charge.
• Defensive shape - While the press is still the system in New York, teams are finding out that if you apply your own pressure on their defensive group, you tend to create good chances on goal.

Key Player: Julian Hall

The young Homegrown striker has been a revelation for the Red Bulls this season, scoring six goals. Some are even saying he could have a Ricardo Pepi-like transfer waiting for him this summer if things continue to keep at this pace. The 18-year old finds ways to get himself into good scoring positions often, and he’s been efficient to say the least so far.

Key Matchup: Jorge Ruvalcaba vs Deedson

We saw this one play out a tad in the preseason meeting between the two squads. The former Pumas attacker found good ways to get in behind the Dallas defense and force Deedson into bad moments.

Availability Report1:

Suspended: none
Out: Justin Che (hamstring), AJ Marcucci (knee)
Questionable: Cameron Harper (hamstring)
On Loan: none
International duty: none

Quick Notes:

All-time vs Dallas: New York has a 24-17-7 record in all-time regular season meetings with Dallas. They’re also 14-8-3 at home against FC Dallas in the regular season.

Current form: Like Dallas, they are winless in their last four games, going 1-2-2 in their last five.

Where they're at in the standings: After a solid start in the opening two weeks of the season, the Red Bulls have been slipping down the standings in recent weeks. They’re currently in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, with 12 points.

Three keys for FC Dallas

1. Survive (and Beat) the Press Early: This one is non-negotiable. If you do take anything away from the preseason game, it was how Dallas managed the press early on and countered with excellent play up the middle of the field that led to goals. If you can’t beat the first line of pressure in this one early, it will become turnover city.
2. Don’t Turn This Into a Track Meet: The Red Bulls want chaos, they want the game stretched, and they want it to feel frantic. Dallas needs to pick their moments, slow things down when needed, and avoid playing right into that energy drink madness.
3. Take Your Chances — Because They’ll Come: Once you beat the press, there will be space. Teams are learning quickly this season that the weakness of this New York squad is their backline. Because of that, Dallas has to be more decisive in those moments around the penalty box. Even more so than they’ve been in the last three or four games. Get in, be direct, and most of all, make it count.

1 Note: MLS has an injury report deadline that doesn’t hit until the day before each game. Our scouting reports will include last week's report and will be fully updated the day before with our injury report for FC Dallas.