The New York Red Bulls weren't as impressive as maybe they could've been to open up their 2015 MLS Cup playoff campaign, but they did the job by beating D.C. United 1-0.
Now, they just need to hold serve at home and not lose on Sunday to advance.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
New York Red Bulls -200
D.C. United +450
Draw +300
Over/Under 2.5 (Over -140)
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Red Bulls were amongst the best teams in the league this year at home, going 12-3-2. They got at least a draw in 14 of their 17 games, which obviously stacks the odds against United in this one. D.C. United in fact, won just four matches away from home this year, and in its current form, it's tough to see how it is going to get a victory.
New York is lined at -200 on the moneyline for Sunday's match, but it doesn't even need to accomplish that much. The Red Bulls sure to be around -800 favorites to move on the next stage of this competition, something that will happen as long as they draw or win. A 1-0 loss would send the match into extra time, while D.C. United would be through with any win featuring two goals or more.
KEY INJURIES
The Red Bulls lost a crucial member of their defense in the first leg of this home-and-home series when Damien Perrinelle hurt his left knee. He's done for the rest of the year now, and that gap is going to be tough to fill considering the fact that Chris Duvall is also a long-term absentee.
Chris Pontius, one of the top attacking threats for the Black & Reds, missed out on the opening match last Sunday thanks to a hamstring strain, and he's going to fight hard to get back out there with his teammates in what figures to be their last game of the year without a miracle.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I thought it settled down a little bit in the middle of the second half at some point, but that being said, the game was on edge and on the balance at all moments. Big credit to our guys to come into a tough place to play against a good team and get a 1-0 lead." – Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch on the victory at RFK Stadium last weekend
THE FIRST LEG
Dax McCarty's header off of a free kick in the 72nd minute was the only scoring on the day for either side. The away goal was obviously pivotal in this home-and-home setting.
Don't let Marsch's comments sway you, though. This match was never really all that interesting from a D.C. United standpoint. The Black & Reds managed virtually nothing offensively all match long. Alvaro Saborio and Fabian Espindola were nowhere to be found up front the entire proceeding, as neither put a shot on target.
D.C. United also completed just 54 percent of its passes on the day, a dreadful number by the standards of professional soccer at just about any level.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Red Bulls have an opportunity to play this game the want they want to, and odds have it, that means sitting back and letting Bradley Wright-Phillips just pick his spots to attack when need be. A goal early on will kill this off and probably break any spirit United might have, and we think that's exactly what's going to happen.
We aren't all that thrilled about laying the -200 with New York to win this match outright, knowing that a 1-1 draw is quite good enough, but we're in favor of the under against a high total at 2.5 and +120 vig for our troubles.
New York 1, D.C. United 0
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