POLL: Cup Qualification v. League Positioning

By: Dave Martinez | April 19th, 2010

usopencup This week presents a new wrinkle in the years schedule. The Red Bulls will be playing back to back games at Red Bull Arena against the Philadelphia Union; one in regular season play, the other in US Open qualifiers.

Now, last season, fans and media alike suggested that Osorio’s roster moves were being done to stay competitive on both fronts. Their tumultuous season was made that much worse then, when Trinidadian team W Connection handed a humiliating loss the Bulls way.

This season, Hans Backe has already declared that the Bulls would be fronting a strong Starting XI composed mainly of his regular starters for the qualifiers. But inevitably, there will have to be roster accommodations made in order to keep players fresh. Juan Pablo Angel, for instance, may be rested for the US Open Cup in favor of a Conor Chinn/Salou Ibrahim/Kandji pairing of some sort. Or vice versa, depending on where your priorities lie.

And that leads to our question of the day: Which game should take precedence this early into the season, Cup qualification or league position?

Lets start a healthy debate below! (and thanks to reader Baumsquad28 for the terrific suggestion)

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baumsquad28

The press is saying Backe will now field a squad made up of subs and reserves. Looks like Hall will have a go at RM, with Albright behind him. Hope to see some fresh blood up top and in the midfield. Sassano and other vets who are yet to recieve first team consistance should make up the back line. Sutton locks down the cage.
Queens_RBNY_Fan

I don't know about anyone else, but in the pre season Chinn and Agudelo looked like they linked well. I would love to see them together in a competitive match to see what they can do.
Onoda

Know if Nielsen will be available for either match?
NoLayupRule

Soccer Lou,

Id agree with you if this were a real cup or if our team hadnt just come off the next to worst season in the history of the league.

or if we've been winning with ease and domination.

since we are on the wrong side of each of those things Id say we need to be a tad conservative, give the guys who are not getting league run a chance and rest the older legs
soccer lou

i think they should take both tournaments head on.
let's see what it takes let's see what it feels
big clubs go into the seasons ready to win it all
the only way to get experience is to go tru it
so next season the staff and the players know what to spect
hopefully by then the team it's ready to go at all cilinders and with all the pieces in place