Same Ol’ Same Ol’: RBNY 0 – Sounders 3

By: Dave Martinez | March 20th, 2009

Discombobulated?

Disorganized?

Chickens without heads?

How else can you describe last nights team performance? There were so many errors, both by the players and in the tactics, that one would have to really pinch themselves to make sure it wasn’t some nightmare.

Hell, I am glad I was getting properly medicated at Nevada Smith’s, or the nightmare would have just been worse.

So many issues here, I’ll just have to list them.

#1 – Boyens and Petke? Really? Look, I will be the first to sing “There’s only one Mike Petke,” and the Kiwi is one of my favorite underdog players. But the combination of the two anchoring the backline is a terrible idea. They play identical games. They have very little speed between the two of them. And if not for Petke’s defensive experience and cheekyness, the game could have been far worse. I like both players individually, but the combination is far too lumbering.

#2 – Pietravallo. I am not a hater of his game. Matter of fact, I have decided to turn the page with Vallo from last year, and strictly look at him for his abilities this year. Yesterday, he looked lost. Hands down. My question is why? And I think the answer is right under all of our noses. Everyone from Ives, to Goff to God to Myself thought that Vallo was far down the Osorio pecking order. He wasn’t played much during the preseason – that was the first clue. He has barely been mentioned as an option until yesterday night. Do you think he looked game ready? I am willing to give this a one time pass. One time. Because I don’t even think Pietravallo saw himself starting.

#3 – Mac Kandji on the Wing. Let’s face it; he was getting bullied out there. To the point where John Harkes said, and I quote, “Sometimes a guy who is 6′4″ can play 5′10.”" I mean, how many times was he flung to the floor?! He looked out of place. Badly. (though, to his credit, he created some of the more dangerous opportunities for RB last night)

#4 – Goldthwaite looked like he was vintage 2007 out there. But the Bulls need Mr. 2008.

#5 – I’ve learned something. The team does have speed, and I am sure can be dangerous. But as of now, they are still in preseason mode, and looking to gel with each other. Even Juan Pablo Angel’s touch was off . . .

#6 – Ive learned something else. It is always going to be Osorios MO to play defensively on the road. No matter the circumstance, no matter the opponent.

#7 (updated) – This lone striker formation, with Juan Pablo Angel about 35 yards ahead of the midfield, will never work. How many lob passes into Seattle defenders feat will it take to make this 100% apparent? It doesn’t work for this team, and frankly, they have alot more options they could be using.

And there is more. But I don’t want to welch on my Laurie bet.

Here is my traditional game recap. Done with little enthusiasm.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Freddy Montero.

TURNING POINT OF THE MATCH: Freddies first goal

WHAT THE ^@$&@(&^$ MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Minutes 00:01 to 90:00.

SPECIAL ED PLAYER OF THE GAME: It wouldn’t be fair to pick on one person. So I won’t.

Share your thoughts on this debacle (though many of you already have).

Ugh.

Some Related Red Bulls Posts:

Category: +++ MY INFO +++, CURRENT ROSTER, NATIONAL NEWS, News, Red Bulls, Results, daveredbulls(a)hotmail.com

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RobStyles

Ultimately our defense failed us, and Osorio knew that was a possibility which is why he played 2 holding mids and 1 striker. Obviously we knew this was our weakness coming into the season which is why we signed Petke, Pacheco, Johnson and Celades, and converted Hall. With 3 of those players out and one on the bench to start the match we technically fielded 3 backups.

That being said, we should see tremendous improvement once our real team hits the pitch in the next 2 weeks.
Larry

I support the white kits / white shorts too..when they wear those red shorts..looks pathetic, like a pub club.
Larry

I watched this game in disgust. The formation was awful. It appeared as if 3 were in the back and Seattle just kept long balling it and winning the 50/50,s. Hopefully the Salvadorian gets his visa straightened out. Petravee and Goldie need to sit. Cepero is still young and inexperienced for the big leagues..lets face it, he jumped from USL 2 to MLS. He's got potential though. Angel was awful. He continued to one touch it without any luck. He looked rusty, and he needs help. Him alone up top is not the right move. He's continually marked or double marked very tight, because there's no one else to worry about up top. Kandji has some potential, but he needs consistency and practice with winning body position on 50/50 head balls. They really need Celades. Rojas can play back and Celades can push forward. Dane Richards. Very frustrating. It appears to me that he's so fast, he outruns the ball, and then loses it. And most important, from the first whistle..RBNY looked like the crowd just sapped the energy right out of them. Seattle players were flying around. That's my take. Better bring some hunger to the next game Red Bulls.
karlomabo

the team yesterday suck!!! The defense was a joke, Seattle did whatever they want. Nobody was in position...
Rojas always passing back.. Angel cant receive the ball outside the box..it is too far from the goal!! The problem started with the Coach.. We were lucky... we could lose 4-0 or 5-0..
Nate.

I'm going to cast a voice of dissent here. I didn't like what I saw, but I liked what I didn't see. Let me explain. While RBNY must go back to the drawing board to make it work, I'm not entirely displeased with the performance last night. I saw workable fixes that could lead to a viable strategy.

First, defense. Compared to last year, it was there. Last year Cepero had to pull these brazen moves because the opposing strikers folded RBNY's defense like a deck chair. It was Cepero v. the world, and he responded with heroics. At least yesterday I saw white shirts around Seattle's attack, albeit a clump of white shirts at times. Do they need re-organization? Yes. Does Cepero need to respond by staying closer to the goal and being less of the hero? Yes. If Cepero fails to respond, can we dump him for Conway? In a heartbeat.

Now offense. RBNY has a stall of great talent. Richards is outstanding (and basically plays as offense), and he showed that last night. Angel had no opportunities, but I still have faith. Kandji (also in-essence offense, for his first game as a regularly-signed player) put up some level of attack. As stated above, his headers were a shame. But he's fast and has good footwork. Offense, like defense is a workable solution.

The key problem: midfield and transitions. We need to make the one hand (defense) talk to the other (offense), and Rojas and Pietrevallo have never done it for me. I fail to see their utility at all. It certainly wasn't great that Kandji and Richards compensated by playing too much offense while Hall compensated by playing too much defense (well, actually, he was all over the place).

I guess my bottom line is this: it was the first game of the season, so it is permissible - if regrettable - that it wasn't all together. The raw fundamentals are workable. the talent is there, and the coverage is there. And PTL, there was passing and control going on (whereas passing in 08 was tantamount to turning it over).

We'll know if we have persistent, structural problems next week at home against New England. But I have a bit of hope that the team can be organized into something quite effective.
Pico

Dave,

here is a question for you, since you appear to be a lover of the beautiful game, and bilingual. I grew up hearing some terms to describe a player's position or style of play and I am trying to translate to the current RB roster and US national team:

- Un media punta
- Un enganche
- Un volante de contencion
- Un carrilero
- Un pivote
- Un caza pelotas

I know Pietra falls under two descriptions: "un paquete" and "un machetero". Goldie is a "tronco". Darn! I promised I would not comment on those two...

Oh yeah! And Dane Richards is a "terco".

Cheers
NYLee

Cepero has a lot of potential and a lot of balls, but without a capable defense he's always going to pay the price. At the worst moment, he was still showing determination.

What about that ball that he saved with his face outside the area? That's brave!
noLayupRule

keepers often fall apart after a bad goal is conceded. that nutmeg goal especially must have brought him down.

similarly JPA looked defeated somewhat after not getting any acceptable service and being double marked all night
dave martinez

Im with Ant; Cepero is a victim of last nights d. 3 centerbacks in 4 positions? thats molasses slow against Montero and company.
Ant

im not sure cepero was unsure of himself i think he was unsure of the rest of the team he got hung out to dry a bunch of times. That will really mess you up knowing you basically have no defense. i think thats what we saw last night.
aavernal

Honestly, is anyone else worried about Capero? I watched him and saw a nervous kid unsure exactly of what his role was. He came out of goal at the wrong time far too often to try and collect things off player's feet, usually disastrously, and when it was time to come collecting (like on corners), he fell well short and wasn't commanding enough. (In fact, on the whole, it looks like we didn't practice headers all winter). I'll spare him some grief because his defenders were so crap--but really: he doesn't quite look ready for the big league. And in the Conway he unfortunately doesn't have a responsible big brother to help guide him. I'm scared.
Ant

plus i poured a beer on his back when he walked in my boy threw him down by his throat and kicked him in the chest a minute later when he "walked" out. only thing that made last night worth while
Dave Martinez

Ant - GREAT point! He was a dick and tried starting with my big ass for asking to get to the bar. Fucking dick . . . (excuse my language)
Ant

At least that asshole got punched in the face last night at nevada's
noLayupRule

zero effort and zero energy as well
Wes

Something has to be done about our backline. They statically play their spots, and don't adjust to any attacking movements. Play too far up and can't track back on defense, getting beat on fast breaks and through balls. Cepero needs to step up a bit and work his defensive team better.

I also felt RBNY showed no fundamental prowess at all. Passes were lazy, trying to make moves in the middle of the pitch, crosses not meeting their intended receiver.

I know it's the first game of the season, and understandably they walked into an incredibly intimidating Seattle stadium. Hopefully they'll learn from this, make the changes, and meet New England at home with a clear head.
Pico

Where to start that you have not addressed?

For all the potential speed that we have added, there is still a glaring hole in the middle of the field that hopefully Celades can fill.

I won't be that harsh on Rojas because he had noone to play with last night. When he dropped deep to start play, there was no other capable player(s) between him and Angel. The few times he got the ball as an 'enganche' not much happened because his passes went to a completely ineffective Richards or Borman. There were a couple of instances when he was screaming at Richards to give the ball back, but Dane decided to take on the whole left side of the Seattle defense instead. Frustrating.

The other problem is that Rojas is still waiting for the call when he is tugged by the second or third defender, which he would get if he was playing in Latin America.

As per Angel, his first touch was horrendous last night. Besides, Hurtado did a heck of a job on him all night.

As per Kandji, he should make better use of his height, but his touch was not bad. He seems to have an idea of what to do with the ball and he did track back when the fullback pushed upfield. I would rather see him on the right instead of Dane on a permanent basis.

I totally refuse to comment on Goldie, or Pietra, or Sisina.

Cheers
noLayupRule

OMG. every time I start to post about last night's game I throw up in my mouth and have to stop.

Blarrrgh!

There it is again. Damn.

Ill be brief - like last night's RB hope;

Keeper - not his fault but he wasnt challenging for man of the match either

'efense - there is no "D" in this word. Some of the worst 'efense Ive ever had the misfortune to witness. I really liked Petke until that 3rd goal which was the single worst piece of football defense Ive ever seen. hands down. Better to repeat the fiasco where we played the ball back to Conway for an own goal last year than that pathetic give away from last night.

Blarrrgh! Blarrrgh! Blarrrgh!

damn, I did it again.

Midfield - what midfield? Pietravallo was a f-ing joke and Rojas looked retarded out there. can anyone make a play from midfield to the forwards? Anyone? Buller? Buller? Ok, fine. If no one can service Angel from the midfield then why cant they defend or win a ball or two? Unreal!!

Blarrrgh!

Forwards - rusty but hardly the problem. Kandji, for all his roughness, was at least trying. Richards looked bad but again was at least doing his job. Angel gets a pass for this game because the only time he touches the ball is when he goes and gets it himself.

the only bright spot was Hall

and major respect to the Seattle fans. Even after that game I have no hard feelings for them at all. The 12th man was huge for them. Amazing crowd, truly inspiring. I wish we could summon that kind of support in NY.

We cant get our new signings in quick enough IMO and Peitravallo needs to be reevaluated asap.

Did Ubi even play or was he just shown in the graphic open? that'd explain a lot, if we were playing a man down all night because Ubi never stepped on the pitch.
MS Jr.

I started a blog about the RBNY because the play last night was so terrible. And I had the same question of WHY? for pietravallo.
http://nyredbull.blogspot.com/
Dave Martinez

Brett - very, very well put. VERY well put.

I am absolutely repping what you said about Dane, Goldthwaite, Hall, Boyens, and Cepero 100%.

Dane especially frustrates. He has great speed, can cause alot of havoc on a flank, yet doesn't have a finishers touch. He needs to take some classes with Juan Pablo.
Brett

Oh yeah, a few other things:

- Really like the all white kits. Glad they went with white shorts.

- Great crowd, good job Seattle. I'm jealous.

- Freddy Montero seems like the real deal

- If the team cannot play well in a 4-3-3, then we just can't use it. I want to see a 4-1-2-1-2. Celades / Stammler as holding mid, Smith on the left, Richards on the right, Rojas behind Angel and Kandji/Oduro.
Brett

Terrible, terrible, terrible. Let me go through every player.

Cepero: I had high hopes but lets be honest, he should have saved the first two goals, ESPECIALLY the second goal. FIve hole? Come on. I know he's young but he's starting and needs to do better. If he doesn't pick it up, it looks like Conway will easily have his spot back once his suspension is up.

Goldthwaite: Worst player on the field tonight. Constantly gave the ball away, missed easy tackles and interceptions, and was caught ball-watching on multiple occasions. Directly responsible for the first goal, he should have been nearer Montero. Rarely made a run forward (which I can almost understand as it was a road game and he really isn't a left back...scratch that, he IS NOT a left back. Ever.) and when he did make a decent run, he delivered shitty cross after shitty cross. His delivery was not on target once.

Boyens: I like him. He didn't play terribly before coming out, and I understand why he was upset. But Goldthwaite was the only lefty defender on the field, so he had to be left on. But I agree with your Petke/Boyens sentiment. Both play too similarly.

Petke: Not great. Not terrible. Made some great tackles and interceptions and clearances, but muffed quite a few as well. Definitely a bit rusty, but I think he'll pick it up as the season moves on.

Mendes: He was decent. Wasn't involved in play too much. Don't like him as a fullback.

Sinisa: Was invisible when he was on. I can't even remember him touching the ball.

Pietrevallo: I don't know why he started. He is not a good player. He tries to play well, but then he realizes that he doesn't have any ability and resorts back to his thuggish ways. I never want to see him on the field again.

Rojas: Both ends of the spectrum, good and bad. Bad: he was not playing high enough up on the field, behind Angel where he needs to be to give him some service. It was like we were playing with three holding midfielders. Gave the ball away too much. Good: Showed that he still has a lethal first, footballing brain, and instinct that obviously comes from his football upbringing. He showed that he is able to beat a man or two. Rojas is potentially our most dangerous player. He is the link between the midfield in the attack in a 4-3-3 and needs to play more like a trequartista. I KNOW he isn't, but he can play as one in the MLS. If his play improves, we improve.

Kandji: Bad. How is he not winning headers over someone half a foot shorter than him? Pathetic. On the ground too much. Had a good touch or two, but was not dangerous at all tonight. Lost any chance of starting over Khano Smith when he is back.

Richards: Most frustrating player on the field. He has so much speed, and he is definitely learning how to use it, but he needs to realize that, while he can maybe beat one or two, he cannot beat three or four defenders on speed alone. Beat a man or two, and pass the ball, Dane. Needs to work on his service into the box as well.

Angel: Definitely a bit rusty. Showed that he still has a lethal touch and instinct, but he really muffed some chances tonight. Not much to be said about his performance. We need to get the ball to him more often.

Juan Carlos Osorio: Terrible call on starting Peitrevallo. Terrible tactics. The team had no shape throughout the night. Give this team some discipline, please JCO.

SUBS

Hall: The only bright spot for us tonight. This kid should be battling for a starting right back spot with Johnson. He, unlike any other defender in the squad, actually understands the concept of making a run forward as a fullback. Showed some solid defensive ability as well. Put in some good crosses but also a handful that weren't great. Has areas to improve, but that's a good thing for a young player. Our best player tonight.

Borman: Can't remember him doing much except for sending in one bad cross. Not the answer to our left side woes. Sorry kid.
Dave Martinez

Rojas was starting plays from behind the midfield line. Meanwhile, Angel is 35 yards ahead of him.

That is a tactical wrong that didnt work last year, and wont work now. How are they supposed to link up?

Fact is, Angel cant always be the damn lone striked. Put him up with Kandji or Oduro, and let them create! Give them a chance in a 4-3-3 formation, and let's see how potent a top heavy attack could be!

I dunno man. Tough tough loss . . . .
mike.

Honestly, if they were playing anyone but RBNY last night I would have been cheering so hard for Seattle. The team and the fans (I couldn't believe how packed that stadium was last night) had great energy and heart, and everything about that is good for the sport, and good for the league.

(And bad for New York :p)

Man did we suck last night. What did you think of Rojas? To me he looked completely lost out there, but really with the way the rest of the team was playing who can blame him? I think Hall did well, as did Petke until around 75:00.
Dave Martinez

. . . And just so this post isn't uber depressing, I have to say - I love the all white kits.