Benfica vs. New York Red Bulls: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info
If any competition signals the beginning of a new season, the International Champions Cup (ICC) has surely taken that particular mantle.
Hailing from the World Football Challenge (2009-2012), the ICC has seen the past two pre-seasons witness true European giants take their campaigns' first steps on North American soil. Real Madrid were the inaugural winners of the cup in 2013, followed by Manchester United last summer.
This year, the tournament has expanded further; more heavyweights are planning to indulge spectators in four continents and seven countries over 25 days.
"The International Champions Cup starts this weekend: Our fixture list to bookmark http://t.co/1C7yB74arZ https://t.co/KAk3eeEGpN
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) July 11, 2015"
In possibly the upset of ICC play thus far, New York Red Bulls shocked Jose Mourinho's Chelsea 4-2 on July 21 in Harrison, New Jersey—and for an encore performance, NYRB have been handed Benfica.
The defending Portuguese champions played a 0-0 draw with Italian side Fiorentina and are looking to secure their first positive result in the International Champions Cup in 2015.
New York Red Bulls' manager Jesse Marsch will not have a quick turnaround to cope with as he did vs. Chelsea, which means he has a selection crisis. Does he play the team that shown vs. the English champions, or does he allow his first-team regulars to enter the ICC from the opening whistle?
Date: Sunday, July 26 (USA) / Monday, July 27 (UK)
Time: 7:30 p.m. EST / 12:30 a.m. BST
Venue: Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey
TV Info: Fox Sports 2 / ESPN Deportes / Sky Sports 1 (tape delay)
Live Stream: Fox Sports Go / Sky Go (tape delay)
Form Line
| W 4-2 Chelsea | L 0-0 (5-4 on penalties) |
| L 1-1 Philadelphia Union (3-4 on penalties) | L 2-3 Paris Saint Germain |
| W 1-2 Orlando City | W 2-1 Maritimo |
| W 4-1 New England Revolution | W 4-1 Maritimo |
| L 2-1 Columbus Crew | D 0-0 Vitoria SC |
Starting XIs
"STARTING XI vs @SL_Benfica: Robles, Lade, Wallace, McCarty, Zizzo, Sanchez, Stolz, Ouimette, Perrinelle, Adams, Wright-Phillips #ICC2015
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) July 26, 2015"
"XI: Ederson, N. Semedo, @lichilopez2, @luisao4oficial, Sílvio, Samaris, Pizzi, @OLAJOHNO, @carcela_mehdi, Taarabt, Jonathan. #ICC2015
— Sport Lisboa Benfica (@SL_Benfica) July 26, 2015"
Player to Watch: Bradley Wright-Phillips
Not a participant vs. Chelsea, after playing a marathon 120-minute match vs. Philadelphia Union, striker Bradley Wright-Phillips will probably see his first ICC minutes vs. Benfica. The 2014 Major League Soccer Golden Boot winner scored 31 goals in 37 appearances for NYRB's last season and has eight goals in 21 appearance this year.
As New York's danger man, a successful Wright-Phillips outing normally translates to good news for Marsch's squad.
Now 30 years old, the Lewisham-born striker has found a home with the Red Bulls, and the International Champions Cup is the perfect place to showcase his talents to a worldwide audience. Benfica should, and will, be on high alert.
Key Battle: Benfica's Defence vs. Bradley Wright-Phillips
Benfica losing to Fiorentina was made easier by losing central defender Luisao after two yellow cards. Seeing one's captain walk off the pitch after 66 minutes is sure to put a damper on any momentum and forward impetus.
He's back to full strength vs. New York Red Bulls, and putting the clamps on Wright-Phillips is priority No. 1 for the Portuguese side. Without stopping the MLS' foremost goalscorer, securing a victory becomes infinitely more difficult.
A winning performance for Benfica comments on the back. Muting any and all of NYRB's forward progress, specifically from Wright-Phillips, should be enough to secure their first win in America this summer.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
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