With only three games remaining in the regular season, one would think the playoff picture would be starting to take shape. There are still six teams vying for five spots and the teams currently above the playoff line are battling to stay out of that play in game and try to lock up as much home field advantage as possible. Enter Saturday’s tilt between the New York Red Bulls (15-8-8) and the Chicago Fire (16-10-5) on NBC. As of this writing, New York sits in second place over Chicago due to goals scored while both teams sit on 53 points. However, by the time kickoff arrives a little after 3:30pm eastern, DC United could hold sole possession on 54 points as they take Toronto FC on earlier in the day.
New York comes into this match on the tail of a 4-1 beating of last place Toronto FC. The Red Bulls once again conceded an early goal and had to dig themselves out of a hole. It took the legendary skills of captain Thierry Henry, dishing out three assists and scoring a wonder chip of his own, to ensure another three points at home. While Henry wanted to only talk about the teams’ inability to close the faucet at the beginning of games, the 4-1 drumming is what the Red Bulls needed. In front of one of the most energetic crowds all season long, the Red Bulls seemed to finally pull together and gave one of their best overall team performances of the season. Hans Backe’s lineup is mostly to thank for that and heading into the Chicago Fire game he said he would play the same lineup he did against Toronto. That means Robles starts in net, Dax pairs up with Tim Cahill in the midfield, Lindpere is out wide left, and Henry and cooper partner up top. The only glaring omission will be Lloyd Sam who is doubtful to dress for the match after Sam left the TFC game with a hamstring injury. Sam gave the Red Bulls a dynamic they had been missing for sometime, speed down the flank. It was not only speed though as Sam has the ability to take players on, beat them, and gives great service to the strikers. The Red Bulls can replace him with either Solli or Lade as Backe has ruled out playing Sebsatian Le Toux out wide.
The Chicago Fire enters the match on a two game losing streak, a 2-0 loss to east leading Sporting KC and a 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Union. The Fire looked good against SKC but the hosts were just too much. Against the Union, the Fire looked flat, the attack was disjointed, and according to Arne Friedrich the defense forgot how to defend. Gonzalo Segares will return to the backline after serving his one game ban and Frank Klopas will have his first choice back line. Chris Rolfe has been a talisman since his return, especially against New York, but he just played two of his worst games this season. Pavel Pardo is questionable for the match and if he can’t go, Dan Paladini could go but neither he nor Logan Pause can connect the defense and the attack like Pardo.
If Backe stays true to his word of not changing his lineup (minus the right wing) the Red Bulls will be very tough to deal with inside of Red Bull Arena. It seems Henry, who worked a bit of magic to down the Fire 1-0 back in July, took it easy during the summer months to prep for the stretch run. The Red Bulls will need the alternating midfield play of Dax McCarty and Tim Cahill to cut through the thick of the Fire midfield. The Fire, on the other hand, would do well to learn from their first game against NY. Patrick Nyarko and Dominic Odurro killed the Red Bulls backline with speed at Toyota Park. Since the last meeting of Chicago and NY, the Fire acquired Alvaro Fernandez who last played against NY for Seattle and scored the opening goal of the match. However, Falco has been ineffective the last few matches. The Fire also has Friedrich and one of the best backlines in the league since the All-Star break.
For the Red Bulls to emerge with a vital three points, they’ll have to be awake and aware of the game from the opening whistle. This match is not another regular season match for either team but a probable preview of the conference semifinals that will start in just three short weeks. The Red Bulls cannot afford to not only give up a goal in the opening 20 minutes but the opening goal in general. Under Hans Backe, the Red Bulls have never lost and rarely tied after scoring the opening goal. However, after this weeks events, I wonder if we’ll be able to still say that next season.
(image courtesy of newyorkredbulls.com)
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