International Duty And Other Absentees

By: Dave Martinez | March 24th, 2009

As we covered earlier, Alfredo Pacheco is a no go for this weekends New England home opener, and Albert Celades is a huge question mark. But who else won’t be attending?

Here are you RB International Call Ups.

Jorge Rojas – Venezuela – The Vinotinto play the Albiceleste of Argentina this weekend. I will definitely be taking this game in.

Andrew Boyens – New Zealand – Boyens takes off to Bangkok for a friendly game against Thailand.

Carlos Johnson – Costa Rica – The recently signed defender will be repping his country this weekend against Mexico.

That can mean as many as 5 starters will not be available for the home opener. And who will be made available that wasn’t for game 1? Khano Smith will have a score to settle, as he debuts against his former team. But that is about it.

Here is a potential line up for the season opener:

———–Angel———-
——-Oduro————–
Smith—Sinisa—–Richards
–Pietravallo-Stammler—–
—–Hall–Petke-Mendes—
———Cepero———–

———Angel———–
Smith—-Ubi——-Richards
—Pietravallo-Stammler—
Hall—Petke–Mendes—Goldie
——–Cepero————-

Share your thoughts below.

Some Related Red Bulls Posts:

Category: +++ MY INFO +++, Albert Celades, Alfredo Pacheco, CURRENT ROSTER, INTERNATIONAL NEWS, Jorge Rojas, News, Red Bulls, daveredbulls(a)hotmail.com

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Eugene

I also think we need to "blood" Oduro so to speak. We didn't bring the guy from Dallas to sit on our bench, we should give him the confidence that he can start for us, even if we have a rotational system.

I think this game is going to be much better than Seattle, just by the fact that it will be difficult to double team Angel and Richards with Khano there and if there is a 2nd forward. It was already more difficult for Seattle to cover Angel in the 2nd half of last game when Kandji was partnered with him.

Not that JCO needs any more kooky ideas, but what about putting Kandji as a playmaker behind two forwards in the absence of Rojas? Kandji has shown in the past that he can making defense splitting passes, he's got the technical footwork to beat opponents, and he's got the speed to run off of Angel onto the ball in the box. What about this formation:

------Angel-----Oduro
----------Kandji
Smith---------------Richards
--Celades/Stammler/Sassano
Deadweight----------Hall
------Petke---Mendes
----------Cepero

Ubi was so bad last week, I'd be inclined to bench him as well as Pietravallo. This formation gets all our speed onto the field at once (w/ Mbuta on the bench or starting if Richards is away), and yet we still have the defense and a better d-mid to deal with the counterattack. Smith and Richards will definitely have to play both ways though.
Orlando

yes we need two forwards.. I like the first formation.. but with Oduro like a forward.. and Sasano instead of pietro... I also have tickets for the game.. I hope we can see some good soccer.
Kingboat

I will stick my neck out for the first selection, partnering Oduro with Angel is a must if we really want to correct our first mistake and get serious.
Piiilot

I hope Oduro gets to start this weekend. I was disappointed he did not get on the pitch in Seattle. His speed creates a definite advantage.
Almedin

I totally agree Eugene, Let's have 2 or 3 forwards and see how that goes.. AT LEAST two so they can do some magic.. REMEMBER ANGEL AND ALTIDORE? we were scoring many goals with two forwards..
Eugene

And please, no one forward formations. Must partner Angel with Kandji, Oduro or Woly.
Eugene

No Pietravallo, no way. Play Stammler, play Sassano. Anyone else.
RobStyles

While it will still leave us with a thin backline, I'd prefer the 1st lineup, maybe swapping Goldie for Mendes and putting him at LCB and Hall at RCB. At least this will give us the boost we need up front.
nolayuprule

missing defensive starters might be a blessing
Almedin

Hey Dave,

I believe Andrew Boyens' New Zealand team is just playing a friendly against Thailand.
Dave Martinez

lol Chris. Maybe we need 12!

Sorry. Really sick.
Chris

you have twelve in your lineup there. And i wouldn't play pietro. In fact i would try to buy out his contract, he is the second highest paid by like 80k. What a waste.
Pico

Ouch!

And to think that I got tickets for this game... I don't know if I will be able to convince my wife and kids to come out to another game with me again.

Cheers