The New York Red Bulls faced a tough Salt Lake side Saturday night and came away with nothing to show for it. The Red Bulls (0-2-0) lost 2-0 to Real Salt Lake (2-0-0) with defensive errors once again being the downfall for NY.
Hans Backe had a game plan in mind going into Salt Lake. NY lined up in a 4-5-1. The defensive line remained unchanged from the FC Dallas game and Henry was the lone striker. NY’s midfield was packed and designed to control RSL’s diamond midfield. Teemu Tainio, Victor Palsson, Joel Lindpere, Da McCarty, and Dane Richards lined up in the center of the pitch. Dax McCarty’s job was to watch Kyle Beckerman. Lindpere and Richards at times were pushed up almost acting as forwards on the wings alongside Henry. The outside backs of NY were to not join the attack as much to not allow Salt Lake space to run in behind the centerbacks. I must admit I was shocked and impressed with the drastic change of tactics by Hans Backe. Since Backe has started walking the sideline for NY, he has rarely deviated from the norm of his 4-4-2.
NY did well the first 37 minutes of the match with the gameplan. RSL had limited chances in that timeframe. The most worrying moments always came from Roy Miller’s decisions on the field. Whether it was a poor choice of a back pass or his lack of communication with goalkeeper Ryan Meara, Miller looked lost.
It wouldn’t be long before an unforced error in the attack would expose the NY backline. Victor Palsson, who was having a quiet night, hit a poor ball right to Kyle Beckerman who tapped it onto Luis Gil. Gil passed it onto Paulo Jr. who chipped the ball over Holgersson to Espindola. Stephen Keel slipped while trying to stop short to turn to catch Espindola. NY was playing a very highline, trying to play the offside trap on Espindola but Roy Miller, in the middle of the center circle, was sleeping and ended up keeping Espindola onside. Espindola than preceded to embarrass the Red Bulls further, by five-holing rookie keep Meara for his 5th goal in 6 games against NY.
The second half would be much of the same for NY. Mehdi Ballouchy and Kenny Cooper would come on to start the half, in place of Victor Palsson and an injured Teemu Tainio, to allow the Red Bulls to fall back into their 4-4-2. RSL’s second goal of the game would come in the 59th minute off of more defensive miscues. Velazuez and Paulo Jr. played a nice give and go that made Solli and Holgersson step to close down Paulo Jr. He threaded the ball through to Velazquez, who put it onto Espindola who put the ball on frame but was denied by Meara initially. The rebound fell in the box to an onrushing Luis Gil who rushed past a ball watching Miller to bury the ball in the net. Miller is yet again going to be partially blamed for this goal. Espindola was at the back of the box and made his run unchecked to put the ball on frame.
NY’s attack was pretty stale most of the night. There were flashes of individual brilliance for Cooper and Henry, particularly Henry’s bicycle kick that narrowly missed. The Red Bulls next play a hot Colorado, for NY’s home opener. Hans Backe has is work cut out for him figuring out how to get the offense to click and the defense to stand tall. Two names may all be what it takes: Luke Rodgers and Connor Lade.
Note: In my preview for this match, I said Corey Hertzog had traveled with the team. This was not the case as Jhonny Arteaga was on the bench for NY.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
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