A Point is a Point is a Point…

After it was announced that five starters from their first game against Seattle would missing on their trip to Columbus, Hans Backe was forced to put together a makeshift lineup that would severely test New York’s depth.  Even with all these changes, the Red Bulls still managed to get a result in enemy territory, a sign that perhaps this team has what it takes to be championship caliber.

Amongst all those missing were Dane Richards (Jamaica call-up), DPs Thierry Henry (hamstring) and Rafa Marquez (Mexico call-up), along with each of their respective partners on the pitch (Juan Agudelo and Tim Ream, both with Team USA).  This made the prospect of getting a win in Columbus all the more difficult, considering that the Crew haven’t lost a home opener since 2007.  But this new-look Crew team, bereft of the familiar veterans that once defined them, may just have been the opponent that New York could have hoped for given the circumstances.

Backe and company rolled into Columbus praying for a point, and that’s exactly what they got after a hard fought battle that saw the Red Bulls only mustering two shots to challenge Crew backstop Will Hesmer.  However, it was their defense, lead by the longest tenured Red Bull on the roster and team captain Carlos Mendes, that lead the way to the 0-0 result (go figure).  The Crew out possessed New York and had the majority of the match’s scoring opportunities, but the Red Bull’s “bend-but-don’t-break” mentality saw them through.  With last year’s starter Bouna Coundoul away with the Senegalese national team and last week’s starter Greg Sutton out with a concussion, New York turned to the newly-signed rookie Alex Horwath who came up big in his debut.  His calming presence in net helped to preserve the shut out, with a huge helping hand from the aforementioned Mendes.

Saturday’s match also marked the debuts for several Red Bulls.  Stephen Keel got the start at centerback and filled in admirably.  He cut off several crosses before they could become dangerous and stymied several attacks in the box.  Also getting his first minutes for New York for Luke Rodgers, who was deemed fit for the match.  Rodgers seemed out of sorts for portions of the game and even admitted that he didn’t feel quite himself.  The jury is still out on Rodgers for me, but I’d like to see why exactly Backe was so on high on him preseason.  Hopefully he can return to full fitness soon and begin contributing.  Without Henry and Agudelo, the forward line was in shambles.  Oh and note to Backe, “Never play Mehdi Ballouchy at forward.”  Boy, what a mistake.  He was constantly out of position, dropping down to the midfield to posses and distribute and never looked comfortable in his role as striker.  I really don’t understand why when asked, Backe has nothing but high praise for rookies Corey Hertzog and Tyler Lassister, but doesn’t feel either is ready for the starting 11 just yet, (Hertzog made a cameo appearance late in the game Saturday and was more effective than Ballouchy in his little time on the field, in my opinion).

Joel Lindpere and Teemu Tainio once again had solid games in the midfield, with Lindpere moving centrally and Danleigh Borman inserted on the left wing.  Even with all the injuries, the midfield that New York used on Saturday was effective, and I especially liked Tony Tchani and his ability to get forward (an opportunity he seldom gets in his new role as the holding midfielder).  He was able to use his size and speed to create problems for the Crew defense at times and had one of the two shots on goal for the Red Bulls.  Even though New York failed to find the back of the net, they managed to walk away with a point with a lineup that barely resembled the one from just a week ago.  Does that say more about New York’s depth or the Crew’s ineptitude?  Given the fact that there will be more instances of international call-ups and injures, we may soon see a similar situation to Saturday’s.  How would line up the Red Bulls if you were Hans Backe and the same players were available to you?  Let me know down below.

P.S. How bout that Agudelo kid?  He’s making it hard for people like me to quiet the hype around him.  Three appearances with team USA, two goals.  Quite simply, he has a nose for the net, and the best is yet to come.  That being said, please, PLEASE, don’t get too excited about Agudelo’s success.  Although it’s amazing what he’s accomplished so far, he still has a ways to go.  US keeper Tim Howard reminded everyone of that very sentiment after the game.  Luckily, Agudelo seems to have a good head on his shoulders.  He’s taking it one step at a time and not letting his triumphs go to his head, just as we all as fans should do, as well.

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Category: Bouna Coundoul, CURRENT ROSTER, Carlos Mendes, Corey Hertzog, Dane Richards, Danleigh Borman, Greg Sutton, INTERNATIONAL NEWS, Joel Lindpere, Juan Agudelo, Luke Rodgers, Mehdi Ballouchy, NATIONAL NEWS, Rafa Marquez, Results, Roundup!, Teemu Tainio, Thierry Henry, Tim Ream, Tony Tchani, Tyler Lassiter