Daniel Falkenheim | For NJ.com

Don't Edit

Photo: Noah K. Murray

Red Bulls vs. Chicago Fire: 5 things to watch Sunday

The New York Red Bulls enter Sunday's match against the Chicago Fire trailing just two points behind New York City F.C. for second place in the Eastern Conference. While the Fire sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, they still have time to make a late playoff push. Here are five things to watch Sunday as the Red Bulls try to claim an elusive road victory:

Don't Edit

Dealing with David Accam

Chicago Fire forward David Accam is dangerous on and off the ball. He's tallied 14 goals in 31 games. Accam has reportedly garnered interest from Norwich City and Burton Albion of the Football League Championship -- England's second-best professional soccer league. He's an essentially piece of the Fire's attacking scheme, and the Red Bulls need to stop him on Sunday.

Don't Edit

Dealing with David Accam

Red Bulls defender Connor Lade drew the defensive matchup against Accam on May 18 and, while Accam didn't score a goal, Accam did send three shots on net and also drew three fouls.

"Accam is one of the most dangerous players in the league, if not the most dangerous player," Marsch said after Friday's training session. "We know that first hand, because he's punished us a bunch of times."

Don't Edit

Will Kemar Lawrence be available?

Red Bulls defender Kemar Lawrence has been sidelined with injuries and hasn't played in a MLS match in over two months. However, Lawrence has been steadily recovering and he fully participated in drills in the lead-up to Sunday's match. Lade stepped in when Lawrence went down with an injury, and Lawrence will need to earn his spot back before he sees consistent minutes.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Will Kemar Lawrence be available?

Coincidentally, Lawrence's last MLS match was against the Chicago Fire on May 18. Marsch hinted after Friday's practice that Lawrence might be available on Sunday.

"He looked great," Marsch said after Friday's practice. "That's three days in a row that he's trained, so I think he starts to become a selection possibility. For Wednesday, for sure. Then it's just trying to think of how we want to get to Wednesday, and if it make sense to have him available for Sunday."

Don't Edit

Can the Red Bulls finally win on the road?

The Red Bulls said all of the right things in the lead-up to their last road game against the Philadelphia Union on July 17, but they squandered a two-goal lead and left with a disappointing 2-2 draw. The Chicago Fire are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, and Sunday should be a good opportunity for the Red Bulls to gain confidence on the road.

Don't Edit

Can the Red Bulls finally win on the road?

The Red Bulls won the 2015 MLS Supporters Shield on the road against the Fire last season, but it was the Red Bulls' first win on the Fire's home turf since 2005. The Fire have won five consecutive matches at home, and the Red Bulls will need to overcome their road struggles and prove that they can bring their home form on the road.

Don't Edit

Has Alex Muyl permanently beat out Gonzalo Veron?

Red Bulls midfielder Alex Muyl turned in a stellar performance in a 4-1 victory against New York City F.C. that earned him MLS Team of the Week honors. Muyl seemingly never gets tired on the field and he is a perfect fit for the Red Bulls' press. He still has room to grow, but it looks like Muyl has beat out Gonzalo Veron for a starting spot.

Don't Edit

Has Alex Muyl permanently beat out Gonzalo Veron?

This season has been one to forget for Red Bulls midfielder Gonzalo Veron. Veron has failed to capitalize on his opportunities and he hasn't impressed since the departure of Lloyd Sam. Sunday, however, might be a chance for Veron to earn solid minutes against a less-than-average Chicago Fire team.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Can the Red Bulls overcome the Fire's counterattack?

The Chicago Fire are a team that likes to sit back on defense and hurt teams with their counterattack. Many teams choose to employ that strategy when they visit Red Bull Arena, and the Red Bulls' offense has struggled to be productive when that's the case. This time, however, the Red Bulls will have to encounter that strategy on the road, and the Fire's counterattack might provide for a tricky matchup on Sunday.

Don't Edit

Can the Red Bulls overcome the Fire's counterattack?

The Chicago Fire have scored the least amount of goals in the MLS, but they've also surrendered the second-fewest goals in the MLS. That's a product of the Fire's style of play, and the Red Bulls will have to find a way to break through the Fire's defense.

"They have a little bit of an identity to them," Red Bulls defender Sal Zizzo said after Friday's practice. "They know the way they want to play, they're going to sit back and counter. They're going to use their fast guys up top."