LAFC vs. New York Red Bulls: Match Preview

Where: Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles, California

When: Sunday, August 8, 7:00 pm PT

How to Watch: FS1 in the United States

Los Angeles Football Club will look to continue their latest MLS winning streak as they host the New York Red Bulls on Sunday at Banc of California Stadium. LAFC are returning home from a successful trip to New England, where they won 2-0 against the Revolution, serving them their first loss under Bruce Arena. The Red Bulls, meanwhile, are coming off a home win against Toronto FC.

LAFC remain on their perch atop the Western Conference and MLS with 52 points through 23 games. Their +38 goal differential is best in MLS by 26 goals (the closest being Atlanta with +12), and LAFC have assembled a two-game winning streak since their loss to the Galaxy. Red Bulls are sitting in fourth in the jam-packed East, with 37 points — seven off first, one ahead of DC in fifth, and one behind NYCFC in third.

Coming back from their cross-country trip to Gillette Stadium, LAFC will be thrilled as always to return back to The Banc. The Black-and-Gold have won nine matches and drawn two at home in MLS, with their only loss at home being against Portland in the U.S. Open Cup. New York, by contrast, has three wins, three draws, and five losses away from their home this season. Red Bull are also back and forth this season in terms of results, as they have five wins in all competitions in their last 11 matches.

The New York Red Bulls are one of the few teams LAFC has not beaten in MLS yet. Last season, the teams met just once, in the first week of August, when LAFC travelled to Harrison, New Jersey and lost 2-1. Daniel Royer was the man at fault for costing LAFC the points, as he bagged a brace in the win. That was also en route to the Red Bulls’ Supporters’ Shield-winning campaign in 2018, which saw them break Toronto FC’s MLS points record with 71.

Prediction: LAFC 2, Red Bulls 0. After a decent win on the road against a good Revs team, LAFC come back home against another good team. This is another chance for LAFC to continue to set the tone for the rest of the season at home, and I think they will take advantage of the chance.

What do you think? Leave a comment below!