Reality Check

After all the trade-hype eventually died down, it was time for the Red Bulls to take the field.  With Dwayne De Rosario in tow, New York was looking to get off on the right foot.  But the Dynamo proved that there is plenty of work still to be done during the long season that lies ahead.

After De Rosario was officially announced as a member of the Red Bulls, management said that he would be available for selection on Saturday.   However, Hans Backe opted to stick with the team’s current #10, Mehdi Ballouchy, at the top of the diamond midfield as the Red Bulls used the same starting lineup as they did their last time in Harrison.  Even with De Ro on the bench, New York appeared to be the much stronger side on paper, but it didn’t seem so in the first half.

The Red Bulls came out flat in the opening stanza and never seemed to mount any real threat on goal.  Backe, who called his team’s first half performance “lazy”, saw his team play to a virtual standstill in front of their home crowd (which was rather thin, but we’ll get to that later).  However, the Bulls seemed to come to life with the addition of the De Ro.

It didn’t take long for the Canadian’s presence to be felt, as just two minutes in, he hit a through bull to Dane Richards who shimmied past the defenders and slotted home his first goal of the year.  Right then and there, thoughts of MLS Cup 2011 raced through my mind.  I said to myself, “This is the last piece to the puzzle.”  Alas, I spoke too soon.  Mere minutes later, off a damn goal kick mind you, Houston drew level after a boneheaded play by who other than Bouna Coundoul.  You’d think by know I’d be used to his astonishing ability to make a seemingly mundane play turn into an adventure, but I was still left with my jaw on the floor as the ball hit the back off the net.  After an apparent miscommunication between our empty-headed net-minder (see what I did there?) and Rafa Marquez, Cam Weaver chipped Bouna leaving New York fans wondering what happened.

From then on, it was all out attack.  The Red Bulls held a 24-9 shooting advantage, but in the end, never found the final shot to beat Tally Hall (who assumed the role of Superman last night).  Thierry Henry seemed like he couldn’t be bothered, moseying around the pitch and was only a true threat a few times.  One of those times came in the 70^th minute.  After Richards sent a chipped through ball to De Ro, the Canadian put a cross in from the touchline that found Henry at the back post, but he was stuffed at the line.  He also had a header late in the game that was goal bound if not for a sprawling save by Hall.  Luke Rodgers had his chances, Juan Agudelo had his chances, Richards, De Ro, Joel Lindpere, so on and so forth.  New York realistically could have scored five or six goals, but in the end, couldn’t take home all three points at home.

Which brings me to my next point; the pitiful, and I mean pitiful turn out at RBA.  The announced attendance was 13,664 and it didn’t even look that full.  With a marquee signing making his debut, you’d imagine close to a sell out crowd would show up.  I know there was Final Four action on the slate, and I know the Devils were in town as well, but there is really no excuse for the turn out.  I did, however, hear the South Ward singing loud and proud for the full 90, bringing back some respectability to the otherwise desolate stadium.

All in all, it was just about as disappointing as home draws can get.  It’s a dropped two points, simple as that.  New York will look to regroup next week as they take on the Union at PPL Park.  Expect Ballouchy to hit the bench and De Ro to take over the center of the pitch.  As upset as I was immediately after the game, I went back to watch the highlights this morning and realized how much promise this team has.  I’m excited for the rest of the season, and I know this is just a speed bump.  No need to panic just yet.

Some random notes that I couldn’t otherwise cleverly incorporate into my recap:

-       Rafa has been pretty wasteful with set pieces (corners and free kicks).  Look for De Ro to take over from here on in.

-       Teemu Tainio continues to impress with his distribution from the deep lying midfield position.

-       Henry had a game-high six shots and still couldn’t find the back of the net.  The excuses stop now.  He has to get it done.

-       Backe had some choice words for Bouna after his gaffe, looks like Greg Sutton may take over as the starter pending his health starting next week.

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Category: Bouna Coundoul, CURRENT ROSTER, Dane Richards, Dwyane De Rosario, Greg Sutton, Joel Lindpere, Juan Agudelo, Luke Rodgers, Mehdi Ballouchy, News, Rafa Marquez, Red Bulls, Red Bulls Arena, Roundup!, Teemu Tainio, Thierry Henry, Transfers