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Barlow, who didn’t even have an MLS contract until May, became the 13th different Red Bulls player to score for them this season, when his far-post header off an assist from Nealis beat Atlanta’s Brad Guzan on Sunday. Impressively, they’ve had 10 different scorers combine for 11 goals in the past seven games.

The Red Bulls have had at least two academy players in their starting XI or a substitute in 13 of their 16 total games this season, and when Omir Fernandez signed a contract in January, it represented the 21st homegrown and 23rd academy product to ink a first-team deal with the club. And this is a team that’s seen 26 of its 29 first-team players see minutes this year — tops in MLS.

Down starting centre back Aaron Long, the 2018 defensive player of the year, and Bradley Wright-Phillips, the fastest player to 100 MLS goals, New York has dealt with extensive injury issues this season. Dos Santos is hoping his club can do the same, now without its own starting centre back (Henry), and two starting forwards (Yordy Reyna, Lass Bangoura). Midfielders Felipe and Jon Erice are both nursing injuries, but both could see action against New York.

“It’s very demanding, the schedule of MLS, and injuries are going to happen. It tests the type of roster that you have, and it also gives opportunities for guys to show that they belong and they deserve minutes,” said Dos Santos.

“Recovery is essential. Right after the Red Bull game, we get on another flight (home) to prepare for Dallas on Saturday. So we’re putting everything into account. Some guys won’t be fully recovered for sure, for the game against the Red Bulls, so for sure there will be some rotation.

“We’ve always said that everybody is going to be important, and in stretches like that, it challenges the depth we have and the character we have.”

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