Harrison, NJ (SportsNetwork.com) - Red Bull New York will be out to maintain its unbeaten start to the season when the club welcomes the San Jose Earthquakes to Red Bull Arena on Friday.
After parting ways with fan-favorite head coach Mike Petke during the offseason, it's safe to say that new boss Jesse Marsch has a solid handle on New York's squad.
The Red Bulls are one of two teams that has not tasted defeat in the 2015 season; Real Salt Lake also has yet to lose.
That record was tested last time out when New York trailed D.C. United by two goals at RFK Stadium, but the visitors battled back to earn a share of the spoils.
"We've been tested this season so far. But certainly when you dig a hole, like 2-0 down on the road, that really tests you and you find out a lot about your guys," said Marsch. "Certainly the fact they responded right away by getting a goal I think that was important because it gave the game a chance. Then for them to keep pushing the way they did and get the equalizer, I think it was deserved and I'm proud of them. I'm proud of the fact they believe in themselves and each other."
Friday's meeting with San Jose is the first of three successive home matches for the Red Bulls, and they'll be eager to make Red Bull Arena a fortress.
"Now we go back with three home games in a row where we want to take maximum points for sure," RBNY midfielder Sacha Kljestan said. "We know something special is growing here in this team. If we put the games on our terms against San Jose, (Los Angeles) Galaxy and Colorado (Rapids), we hope to take nine points."
New York has taken eight points from four matches, but San Jose has made a bright start by taking nine points from six to occupy third place in the Western Conference.
The 'Quakes put an end to a two-game slide last time out by claiming a 1-0 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Avaya Stadium.
Sanna Nyassi grabbed the lone goal of the affair, striking in the 75th minute with a superb shot off the post from 15 yards out.
More importantly, though, it was San Jose's first clean sheet of the season, a major point of pride for head coach Dominic Kinnear.
"I thought the whole back four played well. Cordell (Cato), being an emergency left back, looked comfortable," said Kinnear. "I think everyone talked about their speed out wide before the game started. So for us to counter it with speed was a good idea, and I thought both Marvell (Wynne) and Cordell had good games. Through the middle, Victor (Bernardez) and Clarence (Goodson) have been playing good together. It's a pretty solid partnership."
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