The Eastern Conference playoffs begin Thursday at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., where the New York Red Bulls will host Sporting Kansas City in the knockout round match. The loser's season will be over, while the winner will earn a conference semifinals match-up against top seeded D.C. United.
New York Red Bulls vs. Sporting Kansas City: Lineups
Ninety minutes, one spot in the conference semifinals.
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
There are no surprises in the Red Bulls lineup, with everyone who was expected to start starting. That, of course, is led by Thierry Henry and Bradley Wright-Phillips up front, who will once again have to carry the New York attack. Luckily for them, they are plenty capable of doing so.
Sporting KC weren't quite as straightforward, with several interesting moves by manager Peter Vermes. Kevin Ellis gets the start at right back for one, while Jorge Claros starts over Lawrence Olum. Finally, C.J. Sapong gets the nod, while Antonio Dovale is left to the bench, three borderline to surprising moves.
New York Red Bulls: Robles, Eckersley, Olave, Sekagya, Miller, Alexander, McCarty, Sam, Cahill, Henry, Wright-Phillips.
Sporting KC: Kronberg, Ellis, Collin, Besler, Sinovic, Feilhaber, Claros, Nagamura, Sapong, Dwyer, Zusi.
The match kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on ESP2 and ESPD.
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