New York, Philadelphia clash for first time

Soccer Betting Lines

04/23/2010 - Harrison, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Red Bull New York won only five matches a year ago, but new coach Hans Backe has guided the team to three wins in their first four matches this season.

New York is unbeaten at newly-built Red Bull Arena in two games, and hosts the expansion Philadelphia Union on Saturday in the first-ever meeting between the clubs.

Backe's club leads the Eastern Conference, and has the second-best point total in MLS behind the unbeaten, untied Los Angeles Galaxy.

New York had just six multi-goal games a season ago and last weekend's 2-1 win over FC Dallas marked the club's first of the season. The Red Bulls won their first two matches 1-0, over the Chicago Fire and Seattle Sounders FC.

Juan Pablo Angel scored two goals, including the game-winning penalty kick in the 90th minute. He missed a penalty earlier in the match, but didn't hesitate to take the second attempt from the spot in the win over Dallas.

"He looked confident and went for the penalty spot," Backe said, according to MLSsoccer.com "There was no thoughts about getting another player."

Bouna Coundoul, who leads MLS with 23 saves, bounced back following a bad game at Chivas USA. He spilled the ball into his own net in the 2-0 loss to Chivas, but made seven saves in the second half of last week's win.

"I know what I am capable of, and what I can do. I didn't beat myself up after the [Chivas USA] game and my teammates didn't either," he told MLSsoccer.com. "I knew I would bounce back."

"He was absolutely top class," Backe added. "You can't do it better."

New York lost Macoumba Kandji to a fractured foot Tuesday, but although he'll miss two to three months, new signing Brian Nielsen could be available against Philadelphia.

"I'm not too sure he's match-fit for the first game. I still think he's good enough to make an impact," Backe said.

Angel admitted he didn't know a lot about this week's opponent, but that isn't his focus anyway.

"I'm more concerned about the way we play," said Angel, according to the MLS website.

Philadelphia posted its lone win against D.C. United, 3-2, when Sebastian Le Toux scored a hat trick on April 10 in the team's home opener.

The Union lost 2-1 to Toronto FC last week, and went down a man for the second time this season in the first half.

"We don't train for it," Union defender Jordan Harvey told the Delaware County Times, "but, given the last three games, maybe we should.

"People's legs are getting fatigued - and it makes a difference."

Danny Califf was sent off against Toronto, and will miss this weekend's match, putting more pressure on goalie Chris Seitz.

Seitz has struggled so far this season, making mistakes in his last two games that led to goals. Union coach Peter Nowak isn't worried about the 23-year-old has allowed six goals in his first three games.

Seitz, a U.S. Olympian, has been in MLS since 2007 but saw very limited action before this season.

"You cannot just rotate it because one game is bad, two games are bad," Nowak said, according to MLSsoccer.com.

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