New York City FC Head Coach Patrick Vieira makes just two changes to his lineup from last week's comeback victory over the New England Revolution ahead of tonight's Hudson River Derby.
Vieira replaces the suspended Yangel Herrera with Alexander Ring, who found himself suspended on yellow card accumulation last weekend. Elsewhere, Ethan White returns to the back line in place of RJ Allen, who deputized at right fullback during White's absence.
The rest of the back four remain unchanged, as Alexander Callens earns his 26th start for NYCFC this season, while Frederic Brillant and Ben Sweat once again round out the City defense.
Mikey Lopez earns a second-straight start after deftly patrolling the center of the park against New England. Maxi Moralez will be wearing the No. 10 shirt next to him.
The central midfield triangle will be flanked by Rodney Wallace and Jack Harrison, while NYCFC captain David Villa, whose performances this season have earned him a call-up from Spain for their next round of World Cup Qualifiers, will lead the line.
Patrick Vieira's men can sweep the season series of the Hudson River Derby with a victory tonight in New Jersey, and also have the chance to remain within four points of Toronto FC at the top of the Supporters' Shield race.
The Red Bulls come into tonight's match after losing two of their last three, most recently a 2-0 away defeat to the Portland Timbers.
NYCFC XI: Johnson; White, Brillant, Callens, Sweat; Ring, Lopez, Moralez; Harrison, Wallace, Villa (C)
NYCFC Subs: Johansen, Okoli, Awuah, McNamara, Lewis, Pirlo, Allen
READ:Major Keys: Will NYCFC Complete the Sweep?
Key Stats
- David Villa comes into the match on a league-leading 19 goals, three ahead of Chicago's Nemanja Nikolic.
- Alexander Callens will continue his streak of playing every single minute of the regular season for NYCFC tonight.
- City has a chance to tie their all-time longest MLS winning streak tonight. They've won each of their last three matches.
- With a victory, NYCFC claims their first-ever season sweep of the Hudson River Derby.
- NYCFC have put 135 shots on goal so far this season, second only to Real Salt Lake's 140.
- The Blues are also second in the league in goals scored with 47. Toronto leads the league with 52.
- Red Bulls midfielder Sacha Kljestan is currently second in MLS with 12 assists, while Bradley Wright-Phillips has scored 14 goals.
- The Red Bulls have scored three goals in each of their last two victories, while NYCFC have allowed just three total goals in their last three matches. All were victories.
