Would a Red Bulls Win Matter?
Osorio's club underachieves yet again
by: Steve Cangialosi
You'll have a hard time convincing me that if the Red Bulls lose Saturday night, there will be anything to play for in the season's homestretch. Oh, the playoffs would still be a possibility, and if you subscribe to the theory, 'As long as you're in it, you can win it,' then I suppose the diehards will continue to watch with interest for the final three matches at Sandy versus Real Salt Lake, versus the Crew at Giants Stadium, then at Chicago.
For me, it will be three games of wheel-spinning for a team that's underachieved again.
It didn't have to be this way, and quite frankly, I was stunned by the team's performance in last week's 5-4 loss to Colorado.
Gabriel Cichero had a game that makes you wonder how bad Venezuela's defense could possibly be if it has called him into a national team camp next week in preparation for World Cup qualifiers. Is Kevin Goldthwaite (red carded the previous week) that indispensable? The Rapids scored five goals and could have scored eight.
So where does that leave a team leaving us on the brink of more mediocre memories in its 13th MLS season? Answer: In a must-win situation Saturday at Giants Stadium when last place Toronto FC visits.
I'm not exaggerating. Anything less, kills the season.
If the Red Bulls are to exhibit any confidence at all in a first round aggregate playoff versus Columbus, New England, or Houston, they need to establish reason for that confidence. Based on last week's result, there is none.
Dave van den Bergh is less than three weeks removed from sports hernia surgery, yet I wouldn't be surprised to see Head Coach Juan Carlos Osorio either press him back into the starting 11, or in a close game, give him substantial time off the bench. VDB has been running well, and should play. Same for Dane Richards, who suffered a hyper-extended knee in last week's defeat. John Wolyniec sustained a groin injury this week, and for all of his hard work, will likely go the entire season without scoring a goal in MLS competition.
Osorio could surprise us, but after last week's disaster, he may never line his team up with three defenders again. Look for a foursome of Cichero and Jeff Parke in the middle, Goldthwaite on the left, and Chris Leitch returning to the lineup this week at right back. Mac Kandji and Matthew Mbuta, who combined for a dynamic goal versus Colorado, will each likely come off the bench again.
This is a dangerous game because Danny Dichio will likely come out motivated after taking a shot to the head from Cichero in the last meeting in August. Toronto FC was missing Amado Guevara that day due to suspension. He'll play Saturday, as will Hunter Freeman, traded by the Bulls three weeks ago.
Go win the game anyway. It says here the season rides on this result.
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