New York Red Bulls v CF Montreal: Swedish defender Eile hopes to repay Schwarz´s faith

New York Red Bulls will be out to defend the only remaining unbeaten home record in MLS when they host road strugglers CF Montreal.

Sandro Schwarz’s side were held to a 1-1 draw with Colorado Rapids last time out, keeping them fourth in the Eastern Conference.

New York are still 11 points adrift of conference leaders FC Cincinnati but will hope to make up ground when Montreal visit, with the away side 10th in the East standings.

Excitement remains around the Red Bulls and another post-season push, with defender Noah Eile relishing the chance to play in New York and under Schwarz.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity that he and the coaching staff have in me,” Eile said.

“They gave me the chance to come here first and it’s a big thing for me to be able to come here and play for this great club and great league.

“I just want to be better to show that gratitude towards them.”

Taking the positives into this week’s matches pic.twitter.com/TIWXDwSHzM

— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) July 15, 2024

Montreal defeated Atlanta United 1-0 in their last outing, stretching their league unbeaten run at home to seven games.

The Canadian side did not allow a single shot on target in that win, yet head coach Laurent Courtois still wants more.

“I was disappointed with the collective management of certain individuals tonight and the game scenario,” Courtois said after the Atlanta result. “We did some good things, but during the last 25 minutes, it was frustrating to get caught in transition situations.

“I was disappointed at that level. It was especially the transition in possession that was difficult. We had the opportunity to put ourselves out of harm’s way with a second goal and we didn’t do it.

“Our management of the power play was naive. We hope that we will be able to find more efficiency in the last pass and the presence in the box.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New York Red Bulls – Lewis Morgan

Lewis Morgan netted his 10th goal of the season in the Red Bulls’ draw at Colorado on Sunday, his second 10-goal season with New York (14 in 2022).

Morgan is the only Red Bulls player with a 10-goal season since Daniel Royer (11 goals) in 2019, leading New York in attack once again.

CF Montreal – Ruan

Ruan has scored two goals in his last four MLS appearances after not scoring for over two years.

This is the third time Ruan has scored two goals in a single regular season (also in 2021 and 2022 with Orlando City), but can he continue that run here?

Si jamais vous vous demandiez d’où vient la célébration de Ruan

If ever you were wondering where Ruan’s celebration comes from #CFMTL pic.twitter.com/4Ia1B5r7Ph

— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) July 15, 2024

MATCH PREDICTION – NEW YORK RED BULLS WIN

The Red Bulls are the heavy favourites for this clash, considering their remarkable head-to-head record against Montreal.

New York have won 12 of their 14 regular-season home matches against Montreal (L2), with their 85.7% win rate the highest for any team at home against another in MLS history (minimum 10 meetings).

The Red Bulls are also unbeaten in their first 10 regular-season home games in 2024 (W6 D4), the club’s second-longest home unbeaten run to start a season (13 straight in 2012).

New York are unbeaten in 13 straight at home in all competitions, last losing at Red Bull Arena against Chicago Fire last October, while Montreal are winless in nine straight regular-season away matches (D2 L7).

Montreal have just four wins in their 29 away league matches since the start of last season, and their struggles will expectedly continue here.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

New York Red Bulls win – 59%

Draw – 21.4%

CF Montreal win – 19.6%