Rapids-Red Bulls Preview
The New York Red Bulls are still unbeaten but realize they've left some points on the table.
They'll get no sympathy from the Colorado Rapids, who have the fewest points in the Western Conference.
Both teams continue busy stretches as Colorado looks to win at Red Bull Arena for the first time in five tries Wednesday night.
New York (3-0-3) is off to the best start in club history and remained the league's lone unbeaten team after playing to a 1-all draw with Los Angeles on Sunday. Felipe Martins was credited with the tying goal in the 58th minute after a clearing attempt deflected off his face and into the net.
The Red Bulls, though, lamented about allowing another early goal that had them chasing. They have given up the first goal in each of their three draws with the past two coming in the first half, allowing D.C. to score in the 26th minute of a 2-all draw April 11 before the Galaxy netted a goal in the ninth minute.
The good news is that New York, tied with Seattle for the fewest goals allowed in MLS with five, has been able to lock down defensively to give the offense a chance to even the score.
"It's always a positive to come back from a goal down," midfielder Sal Zizzo said. "We have a quick turnaround Wednesday and we're going to look to keep the streak going and hopefully keep it going for as long as we can."
This match marks the second in a stretch of three in seven days for New York, which visits New England on Saturday.
The Red Bulls have gone 2-0-2 against the Rapids at Red Bull Arena since it opened in 2010, including a 1-all draw in the only meeting between the clubs last season.
New York hasn't been blanked in 29 consecutive MLS matches at home, but Colorado (1-2-4) has not given up a goal in any of its three road games this season.
The Rapids notched their lone victory in their most recent road game, 4-0 over FC Dallas on April 10, but didn't perform as well Friday at home against Dallas. They allowed a goal in the 31st minute before Nick LaBrocca scored in the 79th to earn a 1-all draw.
Colorado is still trying to recover from going scoreless during an 0-1-3 start to the season. Its six goals are tied for the third-fewest in the 20-team league.
"We need to win games like (Friday's). It's very frustrating," defender Drew Moor told the team's official website. "You have to look at the positives."
Colorado had four days off to think about how it can improve, and it will have an even quicker turnaround for its next match. The Rapids visit Los Angeles, which is 3-0-1 at home, on Saturday night.
"Especially against two big-name teams, it takes character to beat them," LaBrocca said. "I think we have that, and we just need to keep rolling with it."
Defender Shane O'Neill and midfielder Dillon Serna will be back after missing Friday's match due to national team commitments. However, midfielder Marcelo Sarvas will miss four to six weeks after having arthroscopic knee surgery Monday.