Another Draw: Red Bulls 1 – Salt Lake 1

By: Dave Martinez | October 10th, 2008

Let me give credit where it is due – Rio Tinto Stadium is absolutely gorgeous. And the RSL fans were electric, as would be expected for the debut of their home stadium. Moreover, Real Salt Lake has some really exciting components to their team! I absolutely love Javi Morales, and not just because he is a paisano. The kid has some serious skill. Kyle Beckerman has fit in like a glove with RSL. Mathis was a complete pain in the ass, instigating players left and right, causing havoc with every lumbering step. but his experience and agression seems to rub off on his teammates well. His antics allow Movi to find space and be a bit more dangerous up top. Great, balanced, exciting team.

The New York team was a mixed story. First off, the Bulls did what was expected when on the road: play defensively and counterattack when possible. What they didn’t do was take advantage of their opportunities, and you need not look any further than this statistic: 10 corner kicks, 1 conversion. On the road, in a hostile environment, the Bulls have no choice but to capitalize when given this type of opportunity. Not doing so cost them the game.

Secondly, the team was clearly tight on the pitch, as evidenced by the countless shoving matches, dumb fouls, three yellows and a red. Leitch non-sensically kicked a ball to a fallen mans head. Pietra went to high with his foot and drew blood on the agitating Clint Mathis. Jimenez threw a fit after being yellow carded, which could have led to a short handed situation had the ref seen what he did.

And all in all, I didn’t like the formation or the tactical placements in the lineup. Kandji was absolutely stymied on the wing. His best, God given attribute is his height. Why waste all that height and strength on a wing when he can be crashing the net? Instead, you have to rely on Chris Leitch, who has great skill on defense, but absolutely no cross, and he showed it again yesterday. Immediately, you nullify the right side feed.

Watching last nights game, a 4-3-1-2 would have been a better way to go. You can take a defensive posture and still be dangerous on the counter attack in that formation. I am tired of seeing Angel trot around the offensive half of the field, all alone, triple teamed, because the formations and the pieces there in can not give him the ball nor work off of his strengths. He needs a distracting partner, and a person to back them up. Magee didn’t do the greatest job of holding the ball last night, but in a more central role with two quality targets up top, I am sure he would have been more effective.

At this point, it just seems everyone is pressing and on edge. Even Osorio. He keeps trying new wrinkles, but sometimes, the old KISS philosophy (Keep It Simple Stupid) is the best way to go. If the intentions were to play in the good old 4-4-1-1 (or 4-5-1), then sit Kandji and put in Mbuta or Sassano. Obviously, they didnt want to bench the resurgent Mike Magee, but in this case, you can not have your cake and eat it too. Kandji is too young and inexperienced to be moved around from place to place on a brand new team. The kid will never play comfortably is this continues. But, on a positive note – wasn’t it better with Jeff Parke playing the lead role in the center of that defense? Yea, I thought so.

A point is always a good thing on the road. But it will take some time to realize the full magnitude of this games results. Definitely something we will all be revisiting after this weekend is through.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jeff Parke. Parke was able to come up with some goal saving plays throughout the game, highlighted by his near goal line clearance of a RSL shot. His ability to communicate with his teammates and organize the pieces is a skill that you don’t see as much from Cichero.

Keep Parke and Cichero in the middle, but make it clear – Parke is the general of the line.

TURNING POINT OF THE MATCH

The Bulls were in the midst of their classic and predictable final 10 minute meltdown. It was Seth Stammlers header off of a rocket shot, clearing the ball yet again from the goal line, that saved the point. It was that close.

WHAT THE &#* MOMENT OF THE MATCH

The Bulls were in the midst of their classic and predictable final 10 minute meltdown. It was Seth Stammlers header off of a rocket shot, clearing the ball yet again from the goal line, that saved the point. It was that close.

SPECIAL ED PLAYER OF THE MATCH

No idea. Everyone played hard, they just pressed too much. I think its not the player. Its the special ed system called the 4-5-1. And I think thats what I will hang this on . . .