Due to prior commitments to their respective national teams, midfielder and captain Sacha Kljestan, defender Amir Murillo, and winger Derrick Etienne Jr. will miss Saturday’s home game against Real Salt Lake.
Kljestan, who was recently named to the US men’s national team following an injury to US forward Bobby Wood, will take part in the World Cup qualifying matches against Honduras on March 24th and Panama on March 28th.
Murillo, who has yet to feature for RBNY, is included on Panama’s roster for their matches against Trinidad and Tobago on March 24th and the US on March 28.
Yes, you read that right. Club teammates will square off on the national stage on March 28th.
Etienne will be playing for the Haitian national team as they take on Nicaragua in a two-game series for a spot in the 2017 Gold Cup.
The absences mean New York will have to cope without its key playmaker Kljestan, and recent first-team breakout Etienne. The Red Bulls will likely opt for Grella or Muyl on the opposite flank of Daniel Royer meaning Gulbrandsen should partner with Bradley Wright-Phillips up top.
Real Salt Lake will also be without star keeper Nick Rimando as he is also with the USMNT.
The New York Red Bulls return home this Saturday, March 25th to play Real Salt Lake.
New York Red Bulls
MLS