When the New York Red Bulls (14-8-8) take the field against Toronto FC (5-18-7) the players and fans will experience something new for the first time this season: a Red bulls home game after the teams’ first home loss. Sporting KC may have penetrated the walls of Red Bull Arena and escaped with a win but the club is still looking to make Red Bull Arena one of the toughest places to play in MLS.
Toronto FC comes into this match as the bottom dwellers in MLS. Their opening season winless streak and their current form of dropping points late in games has led to the firing of head coach Aaron Winter, hiring of Paul Mariner, and the whole of the TFC squad playing for their jobs. The Red Bulls know this as well and Tim Cahill, yet to play TFC, has gone as far to say that TFC will, “Throw the kitchen sink” at NY. However, this is a statement game for the Red Bulls, something Thierry Henry is calling “must win”. Yes the Red Bulls need to bounce back with a strong performance, from the first minute through the final whistle of stoppage time. It sounds simple enough but this is a task the Red Bulls have yet to accomplish all season long. Take a look at any one of their wins this season, and you can pick out points in the match where the Red Bulls fell asleep on the field and the opposing team took advantage. Whether it is their slow start, mental lapses an hour into game, or their late defensive collapses, the Red Bulls cannot afford these mistakes Saturday night.
Coming down the final stretch into the MLS playoffs, Hans Backe has talked about consistency with his starting XI. Unfortunately for Backe, eh won’t be able to get his wish once again. Not only is Mexican Rafa Marquez missing this match, and most likely the match against Chicago, but also Backe will have to once again make a change to his defensive line. Goalkeeper Bill Gaudette went down with a back injury during training Wednesday morning. Gaudette was back in practice Thursday but missed it once again on Friday. Backe said Luis Robles would have to go even though he hasn’t had any real matches since December. However, if Gaudette woke up “fresh” on Saturday, Backe said Gaudette could get the start and as of now he is listed as questionable. It is likely that the Red Bulls will be starting their third goalkeeper this season in league play but at least the change in net is not due to form but is instead from injuries. With Rafa returning to the trainers table, Backe believes McCarty can still play out wide instead of slotting back into his best position of defensive midfield. Brandon Barklage also sees his return to NY’s starting XI after Connor Lade saw double yellow away at New England last Saturday. For the short period he was on the field, Barklage looked right at home with his superb positioning and 50/50 challenges.
Toronto FC seems more intent on getting through the group stage of CONCACAF Champions League then they do winning another MLS match. Toronto is winless in their last 10 league matches beating their opening season run of nine consecutive games without a win. The Reds played this past week down in El Salvador and beat CD Aguila by 3 goals to nil off of a brace by Terry Dunfield and a goal by former Red Bull trialist Quincy Amarikwa. In league play, rookie Luis Silva has been the most consistent name on the score sheet with three assists and a goal in TFC’s last four goals. Toronto has only scored 19 goals away from BMO Field but has allowed 31 goals on the road. Besides Silva, the Reds have the potential to be dangerous on offense through the likes of Dunfield, Avila, and Amarikwa. It is their defense and keeper that have been questionable lately. Freddy Hall has recently been playing in net over Milos Kosic and he has had Bouna Coundoul type blunders from time to time.
With a win, the Red Bulls could move into second place over the Chicago fire on goals scored before their October 6th match. From here on out, all games and points are about playoff positioning and avoiding that extra play in game for the fourth and fifth seeds. Playing against one of the worst teams in MLS and maybe seeing some players returning to their old positions and playing at home, New York is primed to run away with a big score line result. However, MLS matches are never easy and if Robles does indeed get his first start in net, it is hard to believe New York will keep a clean sheet.
(image courtesy of newyorkredbulls.com)
