Rested Red Bulls Host Whitecaps

After three weeks without a game, the Red Bulls finally return to action tonight as they host the Vancouver Whitecaps at Red Bull Arena. While the Red Bulls have been out of the action, the playoff race has heated up as the season begins to wind down. Just six points separate the second spot from the sixth in the Eastern Conference, with both DC United and the Red Bulls, sitting at sixth and fifth respectively, having played less games than some of the teams ahead of them. With such a long break, in some sense the Red Bulls begin their new season tonight. Disregarding the disappointments and failures that have been far too prevalent through the first 26 games, the Red Bulls kick off with one mission tonight: to qualify for the playoffs. Eight games remain in the season and at this point I don’t think anyone can really predict who will make that final push for the playoffs and who will have their season end early.

Going off with this new season, the Whitecaps are a good team to start off with. The Whitecaps have failed to win a single game on the road this season in 14 attempts, 10 of which have been losses. It would be an ideal time for the Red Bulls to snap their lingering winless streak and get the three points at home. Having seriously fallen off track over the last weeks, perhaps a long break is exactly what the Red Bulls needed to gather themselves again. It seems distant now, but there was in fact a time early in the season where the Red Bulls were constantly battling for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Ever since the Gold Cup though, that Red Bulls team have rarily came together, instead an uninspired, mediocre team has of late marked the team on the field. Maybe though, this break will in fact be the catalyst in a resurgent Red Bulls team, or maybe based on the season so far, my optimism has gotten the best of me. Certainly for the older players the break will be appreciated to let their bodies recover somewhat from a physically demanding season. Furthermore, this slower period may allow the squad to rest and refocus again.

Unfortunately Luke Rodgers remains injured, although Agudelo is certainly not a bad replacement. More pressing though, Teemu Tainio will be unable to play tonight due to suspension. Personally, I am a big fan of Tainio and believe that he plays a big role in the squad. In addition, no disrespect to Lindpere or McCarty or Ballouchy, but none of them can really effectively play in the role of Tainio. Hopefully though an attack headed by the likes of Henry, Richards and Agudelo will cause Vancouver enough problems to compensate for the lack of Tainio. As Tainio is essential in starting many of the attacks for the Red Bulls, one key point in tonight’s match will be how effective McCarty can be in pulling the strings in the middle. Defensively he clearly is not the same player as Tainio, but McCarty has a good sense of the game and good ability on the ball. I think if he can effectively orchestrate the Red Bulls attacks tonight; receiving the ball of the backs and building forward, the Red Bulls will be able to get a good result. The Red Bulls often struggle though when they do not have a lot of connectivity between the back four after winning the ball and the rest of the team.

I am hopeful for a rejuvenated, energized Red Bulls team tonight to take the game to Vancouver. It would be great to see the Red Bulls re-establish Red Bull Arena as a type of fortress where teams are scared to play, and usually don’t leave without points. The potential is certainly there, but whether it will actually happen is another question, something which has been sort of a theme of the season so far. We will see tonight though as the game is scheduled to kick off from Red Bull Arena at 7:30 Eastern Time.

(image courtesy of newyorkredbulls.com)