Red Bulls and Union Gearing up for Rivalry Game

from: MLSsoccer.com
Barnetta has featured 75 times for Switzerland, he changes the face of Philadelphia Union

Major League Soccer is trying to invent a rivalry between NYCFC and New York Red Bulls.  The Red Bulls also play DC United for the Atlantic Cup, but ask an average Red Bull supporter the team they hate the most, and I would bet that a lot of them will say Philadelphia Union and vise versa.

“The Pub Cup” rivalry is being renewed this weekend, and the rivalry gained even more traction when a 10-man Union squad ousted New York from the US Open Cup a little over week ago.

It now has an added boost by a pair of international stars joining the fray.

The Red Bulls added Shaun Wright-Phillips, the older brother of Bradley Wright-Phillips, former England international and English Premier League star.

Not to be outdone, the Philadelphia Union made possibly their biggest splash since maybe signing Freddy Adu, transferred in Tranquillo Barnetta who has featured 75 times for the Swiss national team.  And the difference this time, Barnetta is actually really good.

The midfielder has scored 10 times internationally and is a creative player who ought to be able to control the midfield, an area the Union are sorely lacking.  The midfield is also where Red Bull has a strength with Kljestian, Sam, Shaun Wright-Phillips, and MLS all-star Dax McCarty who did not feature in the US Open Cup match.

Barnetta should be put to use quite early and often is Curtin’s midfield for Union where they will look to control play.