New Yorker LaBrocca Expecting a Difficult Encounter in Familiar Surroundings
April 28, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release
Nick LaBrocca labels New York Red Bulls a 'dangerous side' ahead of the meeting at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday night, as the Colorado Rapids look to maintain their solid road form.
The Rapids have picked up five of their seven points away from Dick's Sporting Goods, with goalless draws at Philadelphia Union and Houston Dynamo, before a blistering 4-0 win at FC Dallas.
But the Red Bulls may well test that road record, as they are the last unbeaten side in Major League Soccer. Jesse Marsch's team has played six games, winning three and tieing three, and will move back to the top of the Eastern Conference if they topple the Rapids.
LaBrocca - who made his first start of the season last Friday, scoring his first goal of the year - was born just 20 miles from Red Bull Arena, in Staten Island, NY. He appreciates that the home fans expect, and that infectious drive and desire drips down to the players.
"It's a great stadium, with great fan support for them, and they're going to have some good banter," admitted LaBrocca. "So (for us) it's a matter of just being focused, tuning them out and going about our business."
These days, the Red Bulls are minus Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill, but they have acquired US international Sacha Kljestan, who arrived in January from Belgian club Anderlecht. They also have Bradley Wright-Phillips, who netted 27 goals last year in his first full season with the club, racing away with the MLS Golden Boot.
"(Without Henry) It seems to be more of a collective fight for them" said LaBrocca. "They all have different qualities that just seem to be meshing together very well."
The Red Bulls most recently tied LA Galaxy 1-1 at Red Bull Arena. These were the first points dropped at home in 2015, and Bradford Jamieson IV's first-half strike was the first goal conceded by Marsch's men on home soil. They had previously defeated D.C. United and San Jose Earthquakes 2-0.
For the Rapids, the next few days will be a test of their resolve as much as anything else, as they go coast-to-coast (they play at LA Galaxy on Saturday), traveling a total of almost 5,600 miles for two matches.
"It's not going to be easy for sure," LaBrocca added. "One trip is tough enough, but having two is going to be tough but it's going to come down to our recovery and mentally sticking together, and everybody being ready and being ready to fight."
Coverage of New York Red Bulls vs. Colorado Rapids can be seen on Altitude this Wednesday from 5:00 p.m MT. The match is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m.
Major League Soccer Stories from April 28, 2015
- LA Galaxy and SoCal Honda Dealers to Host Cinco De Mayo Celebration Saturday - LA Galaxy
- LA Galaxy to Face FC Barcelona and Club América in International Champions Cup - LA Galaxy
- Finlay Voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week - Columbus Crew SC
- Black & Gold Offense Is Clicking - Columbus Crew SC
- Gall Lifts Under-20s to Victory over Croatia - Columbus Crew SC
- Hometown Heroes: Trio of Native New Englanders Score in Win over Real Salt Lake - New England Revolution
- Impact to Play Decisive Champions League Finals Game Wednesday - Club de Foot Montreal
- D.C. United Academy Update - D.C. United
- New Yorker LaBrocca Expecting a Difficult Encounter in Familiar Surroundings - Colorado Rapids
- Columbus Crew SC Midfielder Ethan Finlay Voted MLS Player of the Week - MLS
- New York Red Bulls Announce Dates, Opponents for International Champions Cup - New York Red Bulls
- Columbus Crew SC Midfielder Ethan Finlay Voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week - Columbus Crew SC
- Earthquakes to Face Club America, Manchester United in the 2015 International Champions Cup - San Jose Earthquakes
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