Tie and Die in Carolina . . .

By: Dave Martinez | March 20th, 2008

Goodbye Carolina Challenge Cup.

Once again, Bulls fans everywhere were treated to a snoozefest of a preseason tournament game, as we managed to tie the supposed “lowly” TFC 1-1. And in doing so, we helped clinch this years tournament winner, the San Jose “We are Expansion, Remember?” Earthquakes. Sigh. We produced possibly one half of semi professional soccer. Thats it.

That aside, I realize “snoozefest” and “preseason tourney” are synonymous. I get it. But this team needs a motivational kick in the behind after 2-3 years of uncertain footing and certain mediocrity.

While Richie Williams has been coaching our sidelines, JCO is off in my homeland of Argentina, scouting talent, and by god, I hope he finds a gem (Maybe he can speak to Ariel Ortega, offer him a six pack and a 6 digit contract?). After watching what we have seen, with less that 2 weeks till our teams MLS debut, there is a lot to be desired.

These are some high (and low) lights of last nights 1-1 draw with the Mo-ple Leafs of TFC:

Some positives to build on . . .

+ I loved the fact that we were able to hold on to possesion for long clips of time, and that the pressure added up to a few crucial corners (which we couldnt convert, but still). If we continue to push up like that all season, we will find a few gems here or there to put in the back of the net.

+ Though we fell into the offside trap 841285198513813185153 times, we were at the very least attacking at all times.

+ Reyna, though he had a few micues, and bad passes this game, is filling the role of field general nicely. He is constantly shouting instruction to the backline, points to seams for the younger guys (Sassano), and in one glaring exhibition of leadership, within the first 10 minutes, he was moving the ball up, and Carlos Mendes was simply standing at his right hand side, not following the play. Reyna URGED him to move up. And when the play was over, Reyna was in Mendes ear about not doing enough. That is something we need more of from our Captain. Besides that, he played a major role in the tying goal, he had a few excellent crosses and perfectly placed corners that simply could not be converted.

+ Sassano also showed those flashes of brilliance that were rumored all offseason. Though he was silent in Charleston, he was loud and involved in last nights game. His memorable moment was a breaking move on the right hand side of the box, where he cut up 2-3 men to take a terribly weak shot from point blank range. Much like Richards last year, we must excercise patience with the kid, and it may pay dividends. He threw in some great crosses, and some not so much. Patience is key. He may be someone special to us this year (especially with Dane gone)

+ Do I really have to say Juan Pablo Angel played well? Doesnt he always? After getting fouled hard around the 35th minute or so, he retaliates, draws a yellow, and has a chip on his shoulder the rest of the game. Though he couldnt quite convert on his chances, Juanpi was more than a handful for TFC, and the attention they drew towards him left more playing room for an Etchevarry or Wolyniec to operate.

. . . And some Negatives to forget . . .

+ I, like many other Red Bulls fans, fear that Jon Conway, a career backup, can be the crux to our season. Last night, though a preseason game, reminded us all of that fear. Much like the infamous 40 yard back pass from Mendes to Conway that resulted in a goal, last nights 10th minute Cunningham score reminded Bulls fans everywhere of the oddity that is Jon Conway. Cunningham pushed the ball upfield, Conway has a beat on him with the final touch, gets his hands on the ball, and in an instance of pure confusion, Cunningham somehow gains control of this bobbled ball and taps it into the net. Ooooooof. Please, let this not be an omen of the new season. Though I know Big Zack can cover half the net just standing there, we cant rely on him to save our behinds this season.

+ Stammler looked very good, reliable, and focused out there most of the night. His one mental gaffe nearly cost us. As he held the ball, a streaking Samuel stripped him of possesion badly, and proceeded to completely divide and conquer our defense straight through the middle, and he takes a shot on goal, just wide of Conways left. That whole sequence looked too relaxed, as if TFC purposely lulled us to bed, and was looking for that one sneak attack. I am telling you - it could have been the difference between a 1-1 tie and a 2-1 thrashing.

+ One of my favs, Mike Magee, was EERILY quiet - so much so he was taken out for Borman to start the second half. Its a wonder to me what happened, but Magee can not afford more games like this.

+ The yet to be signed Etchevarry was also eerily quiet, or ineffective. How many times did he walk it into the box, with numbers, and either take an ill advised shot, or get stripped in the middle of a juke? Hell they bought in goal scorer supreme John Wolyniec to INFUSE some life into the offense. Not a good night for our potential CAM.

+ Woly was inside the box, all alone. What does he do? Well, his best Pele impersonation of course! Woly starts to dribble the ball between his legs to juke nobody. As the keeper moves up to stop what will eventually be a shot, the defenseman, who was about 15 yards away when Woly broke loose, caught up to the play, and helped block Wolys feable 2 - inches - from - the - keeper shot. Horrible. Thank goodness he netted the game tying goal.

+ The play of our wing defensemen, Mendes and Goldthwaite, was targeted again this game, and again, both men looked very shaky. Admitedly, I am not a huge fan of Goldthwaites playing style, but I have no bias towards Mendes, who simply is not showing the passion we have seen from him in the past. Jeff Parke is the only one really standing tall and holding those back three together.

+ Though corners were plentiful, they werent netted for points. That needs to change.

THE ROUND UP:

We need some stability on the wings. We need more patience and killer instinct in the box. We need some depth.

Now its time for JCO to see what kind of product we really have, and how badly we need an infusion of talent. Lets put that extra cap money to use, shall we? Before the season starts?!