Fairness Trumps Logic In Bulls Loss

While riding a small wave of success into the Dynamo game last week, the Bulls suffered two major set backs; the Jorge Rojas red card (and ensuing 2 game ban) and the injury of right back Carlos Johnson. With a 2-6-3 record, and a third of the season in the books, Osorio decided to make some sweeping changes in order to make up for the losses. At the same time, he tried to stay on message with his bench players; if you play hard at practice, and succeed when given opportunity to do so, I will find you playing time.

The result? A lineup that was put together not with the teams chemistry at the forefront, but with fairness guiding the ship. This mindset did a huge favor for the Fire, dismantling The KJP tandem of Kandji and Angel before Chicago even had to worry about it.

The Bulls decided to trot out a lineup with three attacking forwards represented, including John Wolyniec. That is where the fairness comes in. Woly has been a stand out when given the opportunity, coming up big for the Red Bulls throughout their short run in the US Open Cup play in. For his hard work, Coach Osorio decided to stick to one of his main messages, and find a place for Woly in the starting lineup. Again, only fair, right? But sometimes, fairness isn’t the recipe for success.

While playing the fairness card, Osorio also tried to kill two birds with one stone; reward Woly and fill the left wing position. So Wolyniec got the nod up top with Angel, effectively sending Kandji to the wingers spot. This produced a lifeless first half, with few quality attacking possibilities, and an offensive tactic that was simply, well, offensive to watch.

The second half produced a more focused and vibrant attack, especially when Danleigh Borman, a natural left winger, and Dane Richards, a natural right winger, were inserted in the lineup. The fluidity was immediate and palpable.

I have been preaching about the importance of chemistry, and tactical placement on this blog for quite some time now. There has to be an anticipation and familiarity between the players that allows them to be comfortable enough to try a back heel pass, or a soaring cross through the midfield. And the player themselves must be put into a comfortable position to produce. When everyone is competently situated, you have an atmosphere where you know your teammate will be at the other end of a cross, exactly where they are supposed to be.

Instead, the lineup jumbling just causes more of the learning time to happen on the field. As an example, Ubiparipovic has been the owner of that right wing spot for three short weeks. Was it really the smartest thing to allow another inexperienced winger to man the other side of the pitch, even if it is a red hot Mac Kandji? Did the team really think Celades would be capable enough to run the inside game so effectively that the wings wouldn’t matter?

The lineup tinkering, though necessary due to injuries and suspensions, should have only been focused on putting together a winning recipe on the pitch, and not doing what is fair or just. If that means Woly has to ride the pine, so be it. I will be the first to say that there is no one on this team that deserves starting more, but at this point in the season, when the games are gaining more and more importance and significance, the individuals can not trump the team. And when you have only managed 10 goals in 11 games, being shut out 6 times in the process, you do not tear apart one of the teams only winning tandems to achieve an end.

I am not saying Woly cost us the game. Not by a long shot. I could just as easily point to the teams horrible passing and crossing, lack of finish in set piece situations, or the invisibility ineffectiveness of Juan Pablo Angel. But it is my contention that the battle plan heading into a game of this magnitude wasn’t based upon the teams best interest, but rather, the need to keep on message. Woly deserved a start, but not if it meant dismantling KJP.

Now, with this home stand practically considered a failure, and a tough road stretch up ahead, what will the Bulls do to right the course? Or is it too late?

(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images for New York Red Bulls)

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