The New York Red Bulls traveled south down I-95 yesterday ahead of their match against the Philadelphia Union. The Red Bulls currently sit 4th out of 5 playoff teams in the East and would currently host that knock out game midweek ahead of the conference semi-finals. New York can finish anywhere from third through fifth depending on how Saturday nights results go. If the Red Bulls want to avoid an extra match and Sporting KC in the conference semi-finals, they need to leave PPL Park Saturday afternoon with 3 points in hand.
New York is coming off a match last Saturday that saw them earn scoreless draw against the east leading SKC. SKC could have secured top spot in the east that night with a win but the Red Bulls imposed themselves on the match physically and tactically, one of the only time SKC had not been in control of a match all season. It took multiple heroics and a Save of the Week winner for Jimmy Nielsen to keep another clean sheet for SKC. Part of the reason NY was so good was the play of former Notts County winger, Lloyd Sam. Sam was easily the best player on the field in the opening half, burning down the right flank, holding up play to allow players to join in the attack, and then beating his man one on one. Now the Red Bulls need to finish the season without Sam as he has strained the PCL in his right knee. Backe has options in Jan Gunnar Solli, Connor Lade, and Sebastian Le Toux for the right side of midfield. If Joel Lindpere finds his way back into the starting lineup and he should, Dax McCarty also becomes available to play out wide right if Teemu Tainio once again gets the start alongside Tim Cahill in the middle of the park. Tainio did well to disrupt Zusi or Kamara whenever they came in centrally to create plays. Backe said midweek he has once again settled on the backline in the form of Connor Lade, Rafa Marquez, Markus Holgersson, and Heath Pearce but since it is Backe and the 2012 Red Bulls, any backline formation is possible upon the return and fitness of Wilman Conde and Roy Miller. Backe has yet to settle on a number one keeper, as Gaudette and Luis Robles have to battle it out during trainings.
The Union come into the match on a two game losing streak and can play spoiler to the Red Bulls playoff picture. After falling at BBVA to Houston late on the weekend and losing late to SKC at Livestrong, Philly comes home. Still a bit injured along that backline, looking to make Red Bull fans take notice that this series will bud into a rivalry. Rivalry, or derby games, in MLS come about after teams continuously face each other in situations such as this. Last year on the last day of the MLS regular season, the Union had a chance to stop a Thierry Henry-less Red Bull squad from making the playoffs. While the Red Bulls have a place at the table set for the playoffs, the Union could all but assure the Red Bulls have a tough path to MLS Cup, with a win and forcing of NY to play on the road in the knockout round. The Union has a good core of young attackers that can give a defense trouble, especially Antoine Hoppenot Michael Farfan, Keon Daniel, and Jack McInerney.
The Red Bulls will be in all out attack mode knowing they need to score goals and secure three points. The Union, however, is playing for pride and to avoid a three game losing streak. With the Red Bulls in a much more offensive minded mode, Jack McInerney will be looked to be played in behind the slow backline by his midfield. Remember, this is a Red Bull side that has also struggled on the road. NY has not won a match away from Red Bull Arena since May 19th when a 10-man squad beat the Montreal Impact. The good news is that New York did beat Philly on the road the week before that but unfortunately it came after Freddy Adu bossed NY around for 43 minutes before leaving the match on a controversial second yellow. It’s simple for New York, win and then watch DC United and the Chicago Fire beat up on each other, hoping the result keeps you in third.
(image courtesy of newyorkredbulls.com)
