The New York Red Bulls (13-7-7) start their stretch run to the MLS Cup playoffs tonight against a resurgent Columbus Crew (12-9-6) side. Both New York and Columbus will be looking to gain ground on the eastern conference teams that have been active through the international break and picked up points. Every match down the line will be to battle for playoff positioning and ultimately the right to host MLS Cup 2012.
New York was last in action away to rivals DC United back on the 29th of August. NY defender Wilman Conde scored a late screamer to salvage a draw for New York. Since then, the Red Bulls took a couple days off before coming back home to start training and prepping for the next week. New York has three matches in eight days and head coach Hans Backe says New York’s season will be defined on how they handle these matches. When asked by reporters earlier this week, Backe was very clear that a successful week would at least consist of two wins and draw, or seven points. Backe, who often likes his practices to be heated and physical, had to calm the team down and make sure the players did not burn themselves out. For the first time all season, NY only has two players out with injury so not only are the players training and keeping their fitness but they are fighting for spots in the first team. While New York has signed defender Digao, they have also gotten back a healthy Rafa Marquez who has barely shown for the team this season. Roy Miller is out two weeks with a groin injury but it is no worry for Backe, who has been vindicated by playing Wilman Conde as a left back. Brandon Barklage is also healthy and Connor Lade has done well holding his own on defense. With all of these healthy bodies, Backe is looking to solidify his top backline that will anchor the Red Bulls to the playoffs.
Columbus has dealt with injuries as much as New York throughout the season. They are relying on a backup keeper who has played his way into the discussion of the MLS All-Stars and on a backline that has had a few players see as much field time as a streaker. Columbus, however, has two players by the name of Higuain and Arrieta that have changed the way the Crew play. Besides having a deadly free kick, Higuain has the ability to elevate the level of play from those that surround him. The difference in play form the Crew’s midfield since Higuain arrived has been night and day, specifically Eddie Gaven and Dilly Duka. The Crew are 4-1-0 in their last five matches, winning all four matches by only a goal. They score off of set pieces and they have won a few of those matches in the dying minutes.
The key matchup will boil down to the fouls committed by New York in their defensive third. The achilles of New York’s 2011 season were conceding on set pieces and while they have built their game up in that respect very much, Federico Higuain is one of the most dangerous players in MLS in that respect. The Red Bulls current net minder, Bill Gaudette had been lights out for NY heading into their two game road swing. All three goals surrendered by New York came off of questionable plays by Gaudette. He has shown hesitation poor decision-making when it comes to Gaudette’s line. How he lines up and commands his box could be the key against Higuain and the Crew. Of course, if New York wants to have a bit easier of a time at home against the Crew, they should simply just not foul Columbus close to their box.
New York was able to push the Crew around in their defensive third earlier in the season with Henry and Cooper putting in one of their best shifts of the season together. Now the Red Bulls have added Tim Cahill and Sebastian Le Toux to the offensive mix. While Cooper and Henry have dried up a bit in the goal scoring column, NY has still been able to produce offense off of set pieces and the run of play by their midfielders and defenders. If New York wants to take three points at home, they will need to stretch the game out and control the tempo of play. They cannot allow Higuain time on the ball and they cannot give up cheap fouls in range of their net.
(Picture courtesey of MLSSoccer.com)
