Excellent Effort on the Road: Red Bulls 1 - Revolution 1

By: Dave Martinez | June 18th, 2008

After the DC game, I was calling for changes - even if it went as far as benching Conway a game - to do whatever it takes to wake this team up. But Osorio took it to another level, and it nearly paid off with a W. An excellent effort by the midfield, good stand up play by Goldthwaite and the backline, and the Bulls were one mistake away from a win.

Unfortunately, that mistake happened.

Osorio decided to be daring and challenge his team, making five changes to the starting 11, including a 4-3-1-2 formation, Dane Richards at forward, Mendes and Stammler at CDM, Ubiparipovic on the wing - even letting Parke ride the bench (which was shocking to me) in favor of a Boyens / Goldthwaite tandem.

Cojones.

And had Boyens properly covered Ralston, the Bulls would be walking out of Gillette winners. A beautiful Stammler goal could have served as the end of the Gillette Jinx. But New England had other ideas (as usual).

Either way, it is a very encouraging game on the road, and a hard fought tie. The Bulls showed a chemistry and fluidity that just hasnt been there in weeks. Looking forward to Saturday, will it be enough to take down Cooper and FC Dallas?

MAN OF THE MATCH

Seth Stammler. He wore the armband and played the role of Captain well. Hard nosed play, hard fought balls - and a goal to boot. Stammler is quickly becoming my favorite player on the team..

TURNING POINT OF THE MATCH

Dane Richards goes down. The team was really gelling in a way that they havent done all season. Then Richards takes a hard hit from behind, tweaks his ankle, and the Bulls are forced to make a change. The hit was distracting enough to begin a New England march to goal, concluding with a poorly defended Ralston goal.

WHAT THE $&*!&$&$! MOMENT OF THE MATCH

The New England Goal. I may not be the biggest fan of our Kiwi, but it looked to me that Andrew Boyens should have been there to disrupt Ralston. It was such a well fought game, one that the Bulls deserved to win (again) but one mental lapse costs them the game (again).

SPECIAL ED PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Oscar Echeverry. The best play on the attacking side happened opposite of Echeverry. Richards was the attacking catalyst, while Echeverry many times seemed stagnant or just plainly out of the games play. Coming off of an injury is clearly affecting Echeverry still, as his game decisions seem tentative. Moving forward, a healthier, gamefit Echeverry will be counted on to carry a larger load for this team.