The New York Red Bulls are just three days away from first kick against FC Dallas but a more pressing matter overshadows their season opener. Englishman Luke Rodgers, the Red Bulls forward, will soon know the fate of his visa status. Rodgers obtained a one-year visa for the 2011 MLS season and its believed he overstayed his time in the country due to MLS Cup Play-Offs. Rodgers has had trouble obtaining a visa during the previous season after battling legal issues in England.
Rodgers came to the Red Bulls by way of Notts County in England, where RBNY coach Hans Backe had coached the striker. Rodgers debuted in a goalless draw against the Crew where the Red Bulls were missing half their starters due to international call-ups and Thierry Henry out from injury. He made almost an immediate impact in a downpour against the San Jose Earthquake, scoring in the second minute of play off a Rafa Marquez corner kick. Rodgers would get back on the score sheet thirteen minutes later. Henry stole the ball at the top of SJ’s box, took the ball inside the penalty area and saw a cutting Rodgers get on a well placed pass to end up in the back of Jon Busch’s net. On the preceding goal, Henry saw Rodgers making a similar run behind the backline but Rodgers continued running straight instead of cutting towards the ball. I remember Henry, with his well-known hand gestures, telling Rodgers to cut on a pass like that. Rodgers adjustment happened almost immediately and NY was up two goals. Rodgers would later set up Henry for his first goal of the season.
The Red Bulls were an abysmal 1-4-9 without Rodgers in the line-up last season, with the lone win coming in the home opener against Seattle. Rodgers missed the summer drought of draws due to a heel injury. His work rate, only second to Joel Lindpere, his strength on the ball, and pace all go a long way in RBNY’s offensive third. What really hurts opposing teams’ defense is Rodgers runs off the ball. Defenders time in and time out would lose track of him, which allowed Henry to move the attack forward while the defense would be stretched. Not to mention how fierce he is on the field. If Lindpere is the heart and Henry the backbone, than Rodgers is the electricity running through the team.
While Rodger awaits his fate, NY is left to build a report between Henry and newly acquired Kenny Cooper. While they did not have a full preseason, Henry and Cooper did have match time. Their partnership has yet to blossom, and though early, it will not be the same partnership as a Henry-Rodgers tag team. With Rodgers, often times Henry could play the role of a central playmaker due to the space Rodgers can create. Cooper, though a big man, is not a striker that plays with his back to goal. He has exceptional footwork, is a threat from distance, and in the air on set pieces. Cooper does not make runs off the ball like Luke, requiring Henry to play more up top than with Rodgers. This is not to say their partnership won’t work. Henry and Rodgers needed about fifteen minutes in open play to click.
The scenarios revolving around Rodgers visa are pretty straightforward. His visa is approved and he joins NY as soon as possible, maybe next week. Hopefully Rodgers won’t need too much time to get match fit and pick up where he left off. Rodgers has been training with EPL side Aston Villa and the hope is he could be ready to play away at the tough Real Salt Lake fixture on March 17th. If his visa is denied, NY will sign another striker. NY did sign pre-season trialist forwards Jhonny Arteaga and Jose Angulo yesterday. Arteaga and Angulo were starting with the reserves over second year striker Corey Hertzog. Seeing as Agudelo will be spending a significant amount of time away from NY for the Olympics and World Cup qualifying, it is safe to say these signings were of the depth nature and not a replacement for Luke.
NY fans are doing what they can as well. One fan created a petition at change.org to lobby US Immigration. The petitions, as of closing, had obtained only 678 out of the 1,000 signatures warranted. No one can accurately predict how bad the loss of Rodgers would be to the club. What we can hope for is to soon see Rodgers feet motoring on the pitch at Red Bull Arena in the coming weeks.
(image courtesy of readjunk.com)
