If you haven’t heard, Atlanta United will play the New York Red Bulls on Sunday in Harrison, N.J.
It’s kind of an important game.
Should Atlanta United win, it will have a seven-points lead over the Red Bulls in the race for the Supporters’ Shield with three games remaining. Any combination of three points won by Atlanta United, or dropped by New York, in those games and the trophy will be Atlanta United’s.
Esteemed soccer journalist Michael Lewis (@Soccerwriter) answered four questions about Sunday’s game:
Q: How will the Red Bulls handle not having Bradley Wright-Phillips? Who will slot in?
A: I think many of us looked ahead a few weeks for a great striker match-up in Josef Martinez vs. BWP. A tough loss for the Red Bulls, no doubt, since they usually have played with one striker up front all season. Derrick Etienne, Jr., Anatole Abang, Ethan White and even midfielder Daniel Royer are candidates to replace Wright-Phillips.
Q: Atlanta United says the pressure is on the Red Bulls. Do you agree? Does the team agree?
A: I agree. The Red Bulls must win to keep it a race. An Atlanta victory would all but end New York's Supporters Shield quest and give United home-field advantage. A tie would be almost a win for Atlanta because the Red Bulls would be trailing by four points with three matches left. It would be difficult to overcome that deficit barring a major collapse by Atlanta. The team hasn't talked about pressure. The Red Bulls players are confident they can come out with a result.
Q: The Red Bulls are playing different under Chris Armas than they did Jesse Marsch. Why and is it working?
A: Under Chris Armas, the Red Bulls still press, but it doesn't seem as pushy as during the Jesse Marsch regime. It seems it takes the team a while to wake up, many times in the second half. Yet, when the team is in full throttle, especially at home, they are a difficult team to break down. So, it is working; Armas has done well as a rookie head coach. But some in the media fears a sleepy start in a playoff game could be devastating when it comes down to one game.
Q: What is the matchup to watch and how do you think it will go?
A: Red Bulls centerback Aaron Long vs. Atlanta striker Josef Martinez. Two players who are enjoying all-star seasons. Incredibly, Martinez has never scored in three games against the Red Bulls. He is due, but the Red Bulls' center back tandem of Long and Tim Parker are a physical duo and have made life miserable for many a striker this season, especially at Red Bull Arena. Saying that, Martinez, who has enjoyed an incredible season, just might have a goal in him to break the schneid.
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