Sandro Schwarz wants to see more from his New York Red Bulls players against D.C. United, after accepting they have not been at their best of late.

The Red Bulls have struggled for consistency in recent times, having lost to New England Revolution, beaten Chicago Fire and drawn with Orlando City in their past three games.

Schwarz's side now return to home soil for back-to-back games, starting with Saturday's visit of a badly out-of-form D.C. United side.

"It's a big game for us on Saturday," he said. "We know what it means to our supporters and to us as well. 

"When I've criticised the team, it's normal after the performances. We've now got four points since the Revs game against good opponents. 

"It's my responsibility to develop every time and to make sure we give our best. This is what we want to see.

"We weren't at our best in the past two games, and now we want to give the answer on the field this Saturday against D.C."

NYRB are ninth in the Eastern Conference, while D.C. United have slipped to 13th after losing four games in a row, and going five without a win.

Troy Lesesne is understandably eager to snap that losing streak, and is adamant his side will not shy away from the battle.

"We're not a group that will ever back down. We will always fight," he told reporters. "A lot of the focus this week has been building off what went well last weekend, and making sure we're ready for a confrontational match. 

"New York are a team that make it difficult to play, giving up little space, so there will have to be a ton of fight from us."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

NEW YORK RED BULLS - Emil Forsberg

Forsberg scored three times in his first five MLS appearances of the season but has been unable to contribute to a goal in three straight matches.

After the stalemate at Orlando City last week, Schwarz will be eager to see his side get back to scoring ways this weekend.

D.C. UNITED - Luis Barraza

Goalkeeper Barraza was brought into the side last week after Kim Joon-hong conceded six goals against the San Jose Earthquakes, and he performed well.

However, D.C. have not kept a clean sheet on their travels since March 2024, and that simply has to change soon.

MATCH PREDICTION: NEW YORK RED BULLS WIN

New York are unbeaten in their past eight matches against D.C., winning six of those and drawing two in a run stretching back to 2022.

The Red Bulls have collected 10 points from a possible 12 on home soil this season, with that their best return in club history.

United's four-match losing streak is their worst since the end of the 2022 campaign, while not since October 2020 have they lost five in a row in all competitions.

D.C. have also conceded at least once in their past 18 regular-season away matches, including 10 in their past two.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

New York Red Bulls - 60.6%

Draw - 20.7%

D.C. United - 18.7%