Injury Bug Bites Red Bulls

News out of New York’s practice today at Red Bull Arena, ahead of a major clash with San Jose, is not good. Already missing midfielder Teemu Tainio with a knee injury for 3-5 more weeks and striker Juan Agudelo with his knee problem another month, the Red Bulls could ill afford more problems around the pitch. Being the former Metro, of course it’s exactly what would happen and the effects of the injuries will have a cascading effect all over the pitch.

First up, defender Wilman Conde was returning to the field for the first time since injuring his groin late in the game against the Montreal Impact back on March 31st. The tweets then flowed across the RBNY faithful streams claiming Conde had limped off the field injured during the first and second team scrimmage. Coach Backe later confirmed that Conde had re-injured his groin and could be out up to a month.

This brings us to concern number two and Markus Holgersson. The Swedish back missed practice today with flu like symptoms. Normally this is not a big deal but with Conde out as well, Stephen Keel is the only tested depth at center back for New York. Tyler Ruthven was also signed as coverage on the backline but has yet to feature in a macth. Maybe he’ll be this year’s Stephen Keel, which starts off with some poor marking and own goals but leads to solid, physical defensive play. Rafa could, worst-case scenario, move to the backline for a few games but with Tainio out for the same length as Conde, Marquez’s presence in the midfield becomes more of a necessity. If Rafa moves to the backline, New York could play with a midfield of Ballouchy, Lindpere, Dax, and Richards. This could work if, and only if, everyone in the midfield and up top stays healthy. Unfortunately, Dax McCarty left practice early with tightness in his hamstring and Lindpere has been playing with knocks. If Dax can’t go or leaves a game early, where do the Red Bulls turn next? Most likely it will be Victor Palsson even though his last outing was a rough on against RSL. Palsson, however, has yet to see a full 90 for the first team and if he is to be the second coming of Tainio, needs to be more composed on the ball. Brandon Barklage could also be seeing more minutes for NY but he has only come on late in games as a sub when NY had a multiple goals lead. He has yet to be on the field when NY was still in the thick of play against their opponents.

Through the next month, New York has five games after San Jose that Conde and Tainio will likely miss. New York is away to DC, home to New England, away to the Galaxy, home to Houston, and away to Philly. Four of the five matches are against Eastern Conference teams and are points New York should pick up regardless of what happens Saturday. DC and New England have been streaky lately while Philly has been plain cold. Houston has so far played well on the road awaiting their new stadium. The Galaxy have looked abysmal in their opening stretch but it’s the NY-LA, Henry-Becks, Donovan-Marquez rivalry that always proves unpredictable. With no reinforcements in sight, the Red Bulls need to play smart and stay healthy if they want to keep pace with Sporting KC in the east.

News and Notes:

• Coach Hans Backe said it is unlikely New York would sign any players before the deadline on Sunday.
• Thierry Henry picked up his third consecutive Player of the Week honor. He is the first player to do so
• The Red Bulls also made history with Saturday’s 4-1 over the Crew. They are the first team in MLS to win three consecutive matches by a three-goal margin.

(image courtesy of newyorkredbulls.com)