Chemistry

By: Dave Martinez | February 23rd, 2009

As the preseason winds down, the Red Bulls find themselves with many more questions than they do answers. And though many of the questions remain in the competitive environment as players jockey for position (good questions), some remain unanswered (bad questions).

History Repeating?

MLS has had a reputation as a league that can afford to take some of their regular season for granted. In years past, it has been routine to watch a Coach come into a new year, with last minute adjustments to the very end of the preseason, and then tinkering for the first quarter of games. With a lessor amount of teams in the past, this strategy actually worked – the amount of games was the same, but the competition was rather redundant, so one can afford to burn a game or two since in the name of the greater good. The playoffs were much easier to qualify for, and the talent itself wasn’t at the height it currently enjoys. As the years have progressed, skill has grown and teams have continued to join in, making this strategy a bit more risky.

This season, most teams seem to have their lineups set in stone this late into the preseason, other than teams who really needed a desperate overhaul (Los Angeles Galaxy). The Red Bulls feel they are only a few experienced pieces away from glory. And with international tournaments to compete in, the depth at all positions has been a premium that they must fulfill. This brings us to where the Bulls are today (and I am not talking about Argentina).

With a little less than a week till the roster compliance deadline, the Bulls not only have question marks in certain positions, but overflows of talent in others! The Central Midfielders seem to be sharing responsibilities with the attacking ones, the left side of the field on all ends is plagued with question marks, and the trialists are still arriving in bunches.

There is little time till the opening of the season, so the question begs: do you feel that chemistry will be an issue and burden the team will have to endure throughout 2009? Does the old “burn a few games in the name of the greater good” strategy still hold water? Or should it be flushed? Maybe you feel the competition till the very end is a good thing (I am in this camp).

Share your thoughts.