[2012 Matchday 18] Union @ New York Red Bulls - July 21, 2012 p/d/p [R]

Any idea how strong the Philly Fan Presence will be for this one? #OccupyRBA

I won't be able to attend, friends wedding that day. Last years trip was awesome!

 

Anyone know whether RBA has any restrictions regarding wearing the other team's jersey outside of the Away Supporters area? I'm going to the game, but will not be sitting with the SOBs. I don't really care whether or not I wear a Union jersey, but my son will want to.

 

You'll be fine wearing your gear. I went last year wearing mine and (was supposed to have) sat in the section next to our supporters. I ended up getting moved, but that is another story entirely. Ultimately, I sat near one of the corners opposite the CowLovers.

 

I'll be there in Section 219 with my wife and 2 friends. Hoping for a much better performance from the Union this year.

 

What Nowak did in that game at the end of last season still grates.

 

Hmm, this thread is kind of dead considering:
1. It's a rival.
2. How crucial this week might be as far as continuing Hackworth's salvage project on the Union's 2012 season.

Houston plays two home games this week (SKC and MTL). 2 wins by the Dynamo and a Union loss against NYRB would leave us trailing Houston by 14 points for what could be the final playoff spot. Although Philadelphia would have 3 less games played, that might effectively end the season, even with 16 games left. On the other hand, two Dynamo losses and a Union win would leave us barely trailing Houston on points per game (1.33 to 1.28PPG). A win by SKC and a draw by the Impact isn't a bad set of results either, presuming we get another much needed 3 points.

Does anyone know how many Union supporters are expected to travel?

 

Not necessarily.............. 3 games in hand plus two games remaining against Houston as well.........that's 15 possible pts right there. Our guys just need to keep winning their home matches and then scratch and claw for results on the road. A win against RBNY in RBA would be huge, but a draw would be acceptable as well. Remember we have yet to earn a point in RBA, much less a win there in 3 chances.

 

Agreed. It's still way too early to be worrying about other team's results. There are too many permutations that could help/hurt the Union's playoff chances. Win at home, tie on the road for the rest of the season and they'll make the playoffs.

 

Well, the Union probably need to win 8 games to have a realistic chance at the playoffs. After this weekend, we have 8 games at home and 8 on the road.

We still have to play some decent sides like RSL, DC, CHI, and NYRB at home (along with NE twice, HOU, and CLB). Now we might beat them all but every single one of those teams is ahead of us in the standings right now.

By the same token, assuming we'll beat Houston twice and win every game in hand seems pretty optimistic, especially since one of the Dynamo games is in Houston. The Dynamo are currently on pace for 50 points. A draw against NYRB on Saturday would mean we'll need 29 points from 16 games (over 1.8 PPG) to get there. 8 wins, 4 losses, and 5 draws would do it. But 2 wins at home for Houston this week puts them on a 55 point pace. We need great results and some teams to stumble.

As you say, a draw doesn't necessarily kill us. But, given the Union's atrocious performance during the first few months of the season, we do need to steal some points along the way...Red Bull Arena would sure be a sweet place to do it.

 

I so wish I could go to this.

Sadly I'll be in West Virginia for a trip planned prior to the MLS schedule release.

At least I'll get two cracks at it next season thanks to the unbalanced schedule. (Theoretically.)

 

Over the last 5 games we have the best results in the league w/ 2.4 points per game.
Over the last 6 (the entire Hackworth era of league games) we're @ 2 points per game, still among the leaders in recent form.
You could say we were lucky to take 3 points from LA, but then again we were unlucky to get 0 in Houston so IMO that balances out.
New York is unbeaten at home so far this season. We should change that.

 

Fixed

 

The pessimist's argument to the Union's recent form is that the last six matches have been 4 home and 2 road, and they're 4-2 over the stretch.

So they've held serve, which is good from a stabilization standpoint, but they haven't "stolen" any points either. Hopefully that changes Saturday, because they'll need to steal a bunch of points between now and the end of the season to make the dance.

 

Looking forward to going to this match. The train makes it so easy.

 

The fact that the Red Bulls play this afternoon in 95 degree heat while our starters rest tonight should give us an advantage on Saturday.

 

That's funny and ironic seeing as their fans don't consider us a rival...............

 

I'm planning on making the trip (assuming I can get a ticket). Any advice on how to get there? I am trying to decide on driving or public transportation. Leaving from Wilmington, DE.

 

Wow. Watching NYRB-Chicago online and RBA is empty. There should be more Union fans there on Saturday than there are total people there today.

 

The brutal weather in the NYC area surely hasn't helped attendance. It's 97 with nearly 50% humidity and a possibility of thunderstorms this afternoon.

Any Union fans on the fence about making the road trip should note the beautiful forecast for Saturday with highs in the upper 70s.