After a much-needed rest, the Red Bulls get back on the field Friday, hosting fabled Brazilian side Cruzeiro at 8 p.m. at Red Bull Arena.
“It’s a good opportunity for us to play another friendly against one of the top teams from Brazil. We want to play against the best teams in the world and we’re definitely looking forward to it,” said right back Jeremy Hall. “From what I hear, they’re bringing their first team. It’s going to be a great match, a lot of excitement. There are a lot of Brazilians in the area, so there’ll be a good atmosphere.”
The only team to ever win the Brazilian treble will likely pique the interest of the Brazilian and Portuguese residents of the nearby Ironbound. They recently drilled the New England Revolution 3-0 in a friendly, with a hat-trick by striker Wellington Paulista and a lineup with several regular starters, including young striker Thiago Ribeiro and defender Cláudio Caçapa.
“They came all the way from Brazil, they don’t want to lose. Cruzeiro is a very good team, and they’ve beaten an MLS team already,” said left back Danleigh Borman. “I think we stand a very good chance to win the game.
“We’re not going to sit back. We’re going to come out and give our very best, and I expect it’s going to be a very good game. It’s our hometown, and we don’t like to lose at home. We are going to come out and work, and do what we normally do. It’s our hometown.”