Feeling the burn

By: Chris | April 26th, 2007

As the winningest coach in US history, Bruce Arena knows the element of surprise. But who would have thought that after last year’s debacle of a season, we would be sitting atop the Eastern conference with a team possessing workman like grit and attacking flair in equal measure. Not I.

But while much has been made over the transformation of our attack—indeed a miracle in the making—as a former defender, I am most impressed with the backline. Despite trading away our “star” fullback, Bruce has cobbled together the stingiest defense in the league with the same players from last season.

So what is behind this rapid transformation? Could it be performance enhancing drugs, the effects of Pierre Barrieu’s torture chamber or my personal theory: the players from last season have been replaced by physically superior superhuman clones.

I jest of course, but it would certainly seem this way to watch them train. Not only does each player understand their role, but their communication is much improved on the training pitch. In addition to meticulous planning, this is largely down to Bruce’s approach towards recruitment.

Rather than bringing in star names, Bruce has remained true to form by recruiting a combination of experience and youthful promise—revitalizing the side for potentially years to come. Between Reyna, Kovalenko and Walrus, we now possess a steely core of players who lead by example.

After looking lost in many matches last season, the Parke and Mendez partnership finally seems to have come of age. This is largely down to the soccer brain and on the field instructions of our new goal keeper (this guy makes Meola look like Richard Simmons). In addition to great distribution and steady hands, Walrus provides steady hands, great distribution and a mouth that doesn’t quit. Without going in to detail, the sheer fear of conedeing a goal has driven the defense to new heights this season.

Reyna may come under criticism for his lack of flair, but few can deny his steadying influence to the field. This only became apparent after Clint’s kamikaze tackle when he spent the next 70 minutes directing his players, clogging the middle and hitting Jozy on the break. A bit like Dunga without the teeth, Reyna is the midfield general we have lacked for years.

While we all know Dema’s story (soft hearted headcase), his influence on Seth Stammler has already rubbed off this season. I relish the prospect of watching these two abuse the Dallas midfield tonight before Alti opens up the scoring. That is, if Dallas doesn’t show up to play.

With Reyna likely starting in place of Clint and Richards questionable injury status, don’t expect the scoreline we saw at Giants Stadium. After thrashing the Colorado Rapids, this team has proven a tough nut to crack at home. I expect a closely contested midfield battle, and if Ramon Nunez plays, at least two to three goals in this game.

With revenge looming in the air, I will take 2-1 RBNY, but something tells me this game has draw written all over it.