Dear Coach Osorio (An Open Letter)

By: Dave Martinez | October 27th, 2008

An Open Letter From TORB to the Head Coach . . .

How many times have we heard the old saying “you never know when you will get a second chance.” In the cruel history of the Metro Bulls, New York has consistently been dealt the dirty end of the poo poo stick. Where there was a chance, a Bulls fan could rest assured it wouldn’t be in their favor. This rare glimmer of hope is a gift that can not be wasted away.

Coach Osorio, this is your chance at vindication, but it’s going to be a tough road to achieve it. Here are a few ideas and suggestions moving forward, from one humble, concerned blogger, to you:

DEVELOP CONSISTENCY (like, yesterday!)

It is my opinion that the biggest problem the Red Bulls have faced this season has come from the weekly shuffling of the lineup. We are an Andrew Boyens / Juan Pablo Angel centerback tandem away from running out of pieces to juggle! Though there were times where the Bulls were forced into changes in the starting 11, completely out of your hands, there were many other times that changes were made without any necessity.

This lineup needs a specific allocation of pieces in order to move forward (aka: consistency). We all love Seth Stammlers tenacious play, but one brilliant goal this season does not a goal scoring threat make. So keep him where he does his best work – central defensive midfield – and have him push Pietravallo for playing time. Keep Jorge Rojas in a central attacking position, not on the left wing. Bench Gabriel Cichero or move him over to the right side of the defense. Keep a working CB tandem together instead of plastering together another new tag team. From what I saw against the Crew, Boyens and Jimenez did perfectly fine together in that role. Keep Dane on the right, in an attacking minded position. Van Den Bergh has earned the left all season.

The point is – consistency. Put your best pieces in their best positions to make things happen.

MAKE THE HARD DECISIONS NOW

Don’t worry about peoples feelings – if Mike Magee isn’t cutting the mustard in this late season crunch, bring in Big Mac Kandji! If you find Richards play lacking, don’t be afraid to toss in Mbuta. This is not the time of season for koom bah yah and tiddly winks – oh no – this is all about winning. Many times this season, decisions seemed to have been made with more heart than thought (Stammlers offensive role, Magee’s fixed position in the starting 11, Gabe Cichero’s ability to start over and over again regardless of the outcome). Forget feelings – just set your pieces in places where they will do the most damage, maximize your benches influence with crucial late game minutes, do a lot of winning, and everyone will be happy and forget the personal slight.

PICK THE RIGHT FORMATION (Home and Away)

The Red Bulls have been treated (abused) to about 22189512951 different formations this season to go along with their 22189512951 different lineups. The Bulls have looked good in the 3-5-2, the 4-3-1-2, the 4-1-2-1-2, and, at times, even the 4-5-1. Not to point out the obvious, but the formation should play to the players strengths. For instance:

——Angel—-Kandji——
———Rojas————
DVB—————Richards
——-Pietravallo———-
Gold-Jimenez-Boyens-Leitch (Cichero)
——–Conway————

This would be a rather good lineup to take advantage of the slower Houston Dynamo. Have Richards run at them all day, DVB set up the pieces, Rojas find the passing lanes, and Pietravallo hacking legs in the middle (if he doesn’t work out, Stammler would work). Yes, Mike Magee isn’t in this starting line up, and in this instance, it can be explained. He can be a dynamic force off the bench (instead of bringing in the usual bandaid, Wolyniec).

Fact is, the formation should keep the Red Bulls threat level high, without comprimising the defense. Whatever formation, being timid should not be on the agenda if all of the pieces are where they belong (meaning you don’t have to rely on the 4-5-1 and leave Angel to trot the top third with nothing to do all day).

TRUST YOUR TEAM

Once the comfort level is established, and the players are settled into their positions, trust your team to do great things. Don’t start them off in a timid 4-5-1 right off the bat. Let the team build its confidence and connect on a couple of passes before they fall back into a defensive shell. This will only feed into the Champion Dynamo’s mystique as “the team to beat.” The Bulls have enough talent to go toe to toe. Believe in the team Coach. They can come through for you.

I know the Dynamo seem like a giant Orange wall, nearly insurmountable. Well, I am here to tell you that, even with this seasons short comings, this is one blogger that believes the Bulls have a shot. Trust your boys, Coach, and give them some security in the starting 11. Then, you shall really see them perform.

Best of luck. We’ll be watching.

Sincerely,

David Martinez