Never too late to celebrate; NY 4 – SJ 1

By: Dave Martinez | May 11th, 2009

Hey all,

Sorry for not being around this weekend. Fact is, I haven’t seen a computer screen in over 48 hours, and between the Red Bulls win, and technologically induced withdrawals, I am actually happy to say I am glad to be at work. Computer, I missed you.

On to the game!

First off, I think everyone should take a little time to show some love to Coach Osorio. As he was saying late last week, it was time to scrap the old play book and try something different. The difference came in the form of a benched Dane Richards, a 4-4-2 diamond midfield formation, a starting Albert Celades, a natural and successful switch to the left wing for Jorge Rojas, the comeback of Danny Cepero between the sticks and the return of “There’s only one” Mike Petke. What a difference.

The team responded to Osorios changes with gusto. Jorge Rojas scored his first and second goals ever as a Red Bull. Kandji was once again tag teamed with Angel, showing off the talent and chemistry that was slowly building throughout the year, culminate here, scoring a pair between them.

And not to pat myself on the back, but my short but substantive game preview proved to be almost Nostradamus like:

PREDICTION

The Red Bulls get the message, and finally wake up with a barrage.

RBNY 3 – San Jose 1
Angel, Kandji, Rojas – Garcia

Close enough, right? Here are this weeks highlights:

MAN OF THE MATCH: Juan Carlos Osorio. Just when you thought this team didn’t have the ability to be competitive, the coach pushes all the right buttons to make it happen. After the escalation of fan anxiety aiming their cross hairs at Osorio, he decides to ditch his playbook, and start anew; not an easy thing for a manager to do. The results spoke for themselves.

GOAT: Darren Huckerby. It seems San Jose can’t be competitive without their English Idol.

TURNING POINT OF THE MATCH: Rojas basically slammed the door shut with his goal, basically sealing the deal for the home side. San Jose never recovered.

WTF MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Watching the fluidity in the midfield. Albert Celades was crucial in finding seam passes and open field. Rojas looked the most comfortable I have seen since his arrival. The weakest link out of the diamond was Sinisa Ubiparipovic on the right wing, but unlike Dane Richards, Sinisa does keep his head up with the ball and seek out either the shot or the open man, which only added to the midfield movement. That was an eye opener for all of us.

Some Related Red Bulls Posts:

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RobStyles

While I am surely not convinced I am optimistic. Strong effort across the pitch. Celades and Kandji looked fantastic. I agree with everyone that Ubi is not an every game starter. We need to have Hall out there. The kid looked very good practically every minute that he has played this season. Maybe RM would be an option creating a similar tandem with Johnson as Pacheco/Rojas had last Fri.

Richards will work well as a 2nd half sub to open things up when needed.

Disappointed to hear the Mbuta news but unfortunately JCO wasn't going to play him very much this year.
dave martinez

Hall would be an excellent contributor to the right hand side, but he is a natural left. Hmmmm. Richards is servicable, he just needs to get his mind on the pitch and his teammates, and not so much on himself. Mind you, without Dane Richards destroying Wade Barrett in the playoffs against Houston, the Bulls may have never seen teh final.
karlomabo

Finally!!! I good lineup... Four goals in the first half.. Osorio.. is was so simple.. I hope he doesnt change the lineup..
Besides Richards who can take Ubi's place..Hall?
Larry

Bring back Mbuta
Larry

I agree about Ubi being the weakest midfielder, BUT..BUT..maybe it's a wake up call to our internet addicted Dane Richards. He is young and needs to think he can beat the entire opposition with his speed alone. That was the most satisfying display of football I have seen from the NYRB in years. What a pleasure. Osorio. Don't change a thing at home or on the road. Richards was actually good off the bench. Fresh legs, and he was looking to pass first. Celades was awesome. Rojas was great out wide. Stammler played tough. Can't wait until next game. Finally.
Pico

Mbuta was loaned out to USL team Richmond Kickers. I would have rather see them get rid of Smith or Oduro.

Cheers
Dave Martinez

QUICK EDIT: Mbuta has quietly been loaned out to USL2 side Richmond Kickers.
Dave Martinez

Oh Shane, by NO means is Osorio out of the doghouse. But this is an encouraging sign, especially the benching of Dane Richards. I love Richards game, but lets face facts; he doesnt look up for his teammates, gets the ball and runs negating all passing lanes, is fairly easy to push off of a ball - it takes alot of cojones to take off a routine starter. Its like benching Angel (on a smaller scale).

I hope he maintains the lineup (and maybe give Mbuta a chance on the right - he works well with Kandji).
Shane

Now Osorio must prove he can maintain consistency, and keep the same lineup against Houston. If he doesn't, he is still on the hot seat. If he does, we should be a strong team and compete for the rest of the year.