Whitecaps FC-Red Bulls Preview

If there was any doubt that the Vancouver Whitecaps are an improved road team, they ended the third-longest home winning streak in MLS history last time out.

They'll look to continue their road stretch with another victory Saturday night against the struggling New York Red Bulls, whom they've never lost to.

This is the third of five straight road matches for Vancouver (8-6-2), which went 1-4-6 in its final 11 away from home last year. This season, the Whitecaps are 4-3-1 on the road with five shutouts, including a 1-0 win over Los Angeles on June 6. Kekuta Manneh scored to end the Galaxy's 23-match home unbeaten run.

After the Whitecaps played five matches in three weeks, coach Carl Robinson gave them five days off last week to rest.

"Whatever the result in LA, they were going to get a break," said Robinson, who wrapped up his MLS playing career with the Red Bulls and served as an assistant coach. "I wanted them to come back re-energized and they have ... they've been looking very lively."

Vancouver is 2-0-3 in the all-time series, winning 4-1 at home in last year's meeting. Pedro Morales, whose three goals this season have come in his last eight matches, had a goal and an assist.

The Red Bulls (4-4-5) have won once in their last eight matches, dropping three in a row while surrendering eight goals. New York, averaging 12.3 shots during the skid compared to 14.8 previously, is looking to increase its aggressiveness.

"We're just looking to get back to our style of play and put people under a little bit more pressure than we have recently," defender Chris Duvall said.

Bradley Wright-Phillips leads the club with five goals but hasn't found the back of the net in four straight league matches. He had two assists in a 3-0 win over Atlanta in U.S. Open Cup play Tuesday.

The Red Bulls haven't competed in MLS action since a 4-2 loss at Houston on June 5 in which all four goals allowed came in the second half.

One concern is the status of Lloyd Sam, who is listed as questionable after suffering a groin injury Tuesday. Sam has four goals and three assists.

New York hasn't dropped four in a row since May 2010.

"I think they're one of the better teams in the league. Big challenge for us," manager Jesse Marsch said. "Where we are right now, I think a result means a lot to us so we have to make sure that against a good team we're ready to have our best performance of the year."