The New York Red Bulls opened their 2013 season on the road in Portland with a point after a 3-3 draw. Once again for this New York franchise, it was a tale of two halves as the Red Bulls jumped out to a halftime lead of 3-1. Here’s some observations I have of the match.
New York’s New Number 9
Fabian Espindola had a beast of a game. While new acquisitions Juninho, Olave, and even Kimura have garnered more attention in the media, Espindola steps into steep shoes that need to be filled. With the trading of Kenny Cooper, Espindola has to replace a guy who won over NY fans hearts with 18 league goals, posed for second best in MLS last season. While Henry might have only said nice things about KFC in the press, it’s no secret on the type of player he would prefer to partner with. Just go back to 2011 and watch Henry playing with Luke Rodgers. Espindola, like Rodgers, was a handful for the backline of the Timbers. His first goal came from just being persistent in the box after a botched Juninho free kick. Espindola did his best to keep the ball nearest to his body before Timbers newest defender Mikael Silvestre botched a back pass to Donovan Ricketts. Espindola stayed with the play and slotted the ball home for an early NY lead. Espindola would put NY back in front later in the first after Silvestre misjudged a bounce, allowing Espindola to race in on goal and slot home his second of the night. Henry may be the team captain and has that uncanny ability to produce everything out of nothing but I believe he is the one who should have been subbed instead of Espindola. Henry just could not get into the rhythm of the game, it being only his second on artificial turf since his MLS Debut in 2010. However, whether Espindola is trying to win over Petke, Henry, or the NY fanbase, it seems he got off on the right foot for all three.
Petke: Rookie coach, rookie mistake?
The Red Bulls had entered half with all the momentum of a 3-1 lead and what should have been 3 points on the road in a very hostile environment. However, the Red Bulls came out in a defensive shell to preserve the win and failed. Petke takes blame for the tactics he employed at halftime, as he should, because it was a mistake to rely on a defense that had yet to play a competitive match together. All Caleb Porter really did was pull Diego Valeri back just a bit and the pairing of Juninho and Dax McCarty could not pick his runs up. They also could not handle the midfield as the Timbers controlled the game.
Petke’s plan for the first 45 worked as the score line showed. Sure, his side was helped out a bit by the blunders of the Timbers, but if you’re team doesn’t capitalize on those mistakes, they don’t make the MLS Playoffs. Petke wants to have an identity for this Red Bull side, a playing style they can be identified with but he also wants to head back to basics. Having players hunt for the ball in packs is one such way and is something the Red Bulls really excelled at in the first 45. His offensive outlook worked in having the likes of Cahill, Henry, and Espindola interchanging positions all through the opening half. It is a triangle I am sure Petke will continue to run, no matter the players used in those three positions.
The Defense
I suspect more times than not, New York’s defense will be a focal point of a match review. Former RSL standout Jamison Olave was heralded, as a great pickup for NY and Olave was okay in his debut even though he was caught flat-footed on Valeri’s goal for Portland. The game tying third goal, happening to be an own goal from Olave, was nothing he could control.
My main issue with NY’s defense in this match is the lack of leadership across the back four. Olave was not the leader on RSL’s backline, Nat Borchers was, and since he’s one of the new guys, I doubt he’ll assert himself as much as the likes of Heath Pearce or Markus Holgersson should. The problem with finding a leader, is finding a stable backline. It should still be a few games before we see whom Petke would permanently want shielding the goal. As of right now, a back four of Kimura, Olave, Pearce, and Miller does not seem to be the answer. Brandon Barklage was subbed on in the second half and played with a fire under him that Kimura did not have playing his former club. Olave will most likely fit in the right side of central defense but as for his partner, that is still in the air. Petke spent the preseason trying to rustle Holgersson into being the leader on that backline claiming he needed to be more vocal. Pearce seemed to be beaten a little too easy for my liking. I like Pearce as a defender but I feel more comfortable with him on the left and not in central defense. Pearce also got away with a clear pull down on Jean-Baptiste in the penalty box .It is very difficult as a player to be vocal if you are not in the first team. Best solution for the backline: Barklage, Olave, Holgersson, Pearce. As for Roy Miller, and Petke’s glowing review of his attacking play? Put Miller in the midfield if anything. His defending is always suspect and he’s always been a better fullback going forward. He is always prone to that one big blunder that generally leads to a goal.
This was the opening game, however, and time has to be given for the team to find its feet with one another, and a point on the road is never a bad thing.
Juninho’s First Match
If I had to give Juninho a player grade, it would be a B. A lot of credit has to be given to him for dealing with the idiosyncrasies of MLS between playing on an artificial surface to the travel issues. New York’s flight Friday night was delayed and they ended up having to charter a flight out on Saturday, cutting back on preparation time. Juninho only had a few set pieces and corners but rarely beat the first man and it was a bit of a let down compared to the countless YouTube highlights you can find of his time in France and Brazil.
As I said earlier, a point on the road in hostile territory is a good result. Losing a two-goal lead, however, is worrying. New York’s away form last season was abysmal and it was only their great home record that saved their season. That same home form is unknown if it can continue so winning a few more games on the road will be imperative. New York on Sunday, for sure, missed out on a golden opportunity to get its first road win of 2013.
(image courtesy of newyorkredbulls.com)
