Coming off yet another road draw, the Red Bulls return home tonight as they face Toronto FC in their first home MLS game in nearly a month. This is sort of a must win game for the Red Bulls, who have won just one out of their last eleven games. They started the season firmly illustrating their playoff and possibly even championship credentials, asserting themselves as one of the top sides in the league. Even without De Rosario they still have the quality in the side to be that type of team, but have not showed it of late.
The Red Bulls will feel this match would be a great time to turn things around as they are at home to a Toronto team that has not won a game on the road this year and is sitting in second to last place in the Eastern Conference. That being said though, TFC is a confident group right now, having recorded two consecutive wins (both again Vancouver). Furthermore, they recently announced the signings of two designated players, Torsten Frings and Danny Koevermans, and may feel that their squad is finally shaping up to do some damage.
Joel Lindpere has been in very good form for the Red Bulls lately. In fact, he’s scored the teams last three goals to insure draws against both Chicago and San Jose. Hopefully he will be able to continue his strong form as the Red Bulls will take goals from anywhere they can at this point. I have heard some reports, though nothing too official, that Luke Rodgers will be back in the squad tonight after recovering from a foot injury. His movement and work rate have been missed greatly up top and the sooner he is able to get himself back in the team, the better. Henry missed the last game apparently due to “flu-like” symptoms. That didn’t come as a terrible surprise as their seemed to be something not right in the match against Chicago.
A dynamic duo up top of Rodgers and Henry, or even Agudelo and Henry will hopefully be able to cause enough problems for the TFC defense. On another note, the goalkeeping situation is yet to be squared away as Coundoul received the start last game against San Jose, only to commit another error that lead to an Earthquakes goal. At this point it’s a tossup between Sutton and Coundoul as to who will start with neither being able to make a strong case for themselves. We will see who Backe selects tonight as the game in scheduled to kickoff at Red Bulls Arena at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
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