PREVIEW: RSL Looking For Revenge

By: Dave Martinez | April 17th, 2009

OVERVIEW

If you look at recent history, especially from Salt Lakes side, there is a budding cross country rivalry brewing. And they are taking this game very seriously.

Look at the numbers; 0 wins in franchise history against New York. Red Bulls played spoiler to the unveiling of Rio Tinto Stadium, with a dominating 1-1 draw. They then took one from under RSL’s nose in the playoffs, in Utah, for a 1-0 win and a ticket to the MLS Cup (or lest we forget how Danny Cepero stood up to a barrage all game, and single handedly gave the Bulls life for the win).

Yes, they may have a chip on their shoulders.

The task won’t be so easy. Despite RB’s horrific record (0-2-2), RSL should realize that this particular game marks the first time all season the Bulls have been able to field a complete line up (sans that Johnson red card of course). With some extra fire power on the pitch and bench, a better performance is expected from the Bulls come Saturday night.

WHATS AT STAKE

For RSL; revenge. But the Red Bulls are trying to find a way to turn around a bloody April, and a sinking season. Not only are they winless for the month, but goalless as well. And something like that should not be happening to a team with the type of talent and firepower the Bulls have.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Jason Kreis has quickly become one of my favorite coaches in the league. And if I can be candid for a minute, I thought that his appointment as coach was rushed and ridiculous when it happened. I now eat my words. The fact is, Kreis has the team playing for him, and he holds up to his end of the bargain, not only pushing the team as a contender, but scouting and finding the right pieces for a successful squad (Don’t forget that this American boy went down to Argentina and discovered Mati Mantilla, Fabian Espindola and Javi Morales in one fell swoop!). Kreis will have his team prepared to compete and push the Bulls defense.

But what of RBNY? It’s tough to say. The team has yet to show the type of chemistry and cohesion that would make them the dangerous squad one would expect. Likewise, they do have a more complete roster for this showdown, with more options to pick up from the bench. This game will be very telling for the Red Bulls; have they come out of their funk, or will the under achieving continue?

KEY PLAYERS

RED BULLS: Juan Pablo Angel. The team needs its leader to show up in a big way this weekend. It would take a heroic effort, what with the lack of a good feed or cross to him, but JPA has to guide this shaky ship to calmer waters immediately. A 5th game without a goal would put the team in TFC territory (whom hold the league record for consecutive goalless games).

RSL: Kyle Beckerman. Much like last weeks selection of Ricardo Clark, Beckerman has the opportunity to disrupt the Red Bulls flow, and assure the chemistry they so desperately need doesn’t ever show up. He has an excellent soccer sense, and much like Shalrie Joseph, has the ability to show some danger in the attack as well.

STARTING LINE UPS

This is always the hardest part of the week; predicting RBNY’s lineup. But here is what I see happening:

Red Bulls:

——Angel–Kandji——–
Smith-Rojas—Stammler-Richards
Pacheco-Goldie-Mendes-Hall
————Cepero———–

Salt Lake, on the other hand, is the vision of consistency, with nearly all 10 field players achieving 270 minutes of playing time as starters this season (through three games):

RSL:

———Findley—-Movsisyan———
Mathis—-Morales—Beckerman—-Johnson
Wingert—Olave–Beltran—Borchers
————-Rimando—————–

PREDICTION

With this weeks “topping off” of Red Bull Arena, followed by the demoralizing rumor that was spread like wild fire, the Bulls need to respond to the task this week. It may start to effect attendance in a terrible way if the fans do not see a polished product on the field, capable of creating some dangerous plays. The Bulls need the win this week, and though history says this will most likely end a tie, that just wouldn’t be enough at this point.

RBNY 1 – RSL 0
Juan Pablo Angel w/ the goal.

My Prediction Record: 1-3

image credit: (AP Photo/Steve C. Wilson)