Sigh . . . RBNY 1 – Dynamo 1

By: Dave Martinez | November 3rd, 2008

My home computer has a huge, disabling virus.

My throat is more ripped than Van Winkle.

My head, throbbing and sweating like a fat guy on a stair master.

My body? Completely weakened and dead.

You see, though 4 tickets to the Houston playoff game laid within eye distance from my bed, I could not get up and use them. I was sick as a dog, and I probably have Trick or Treating and the Cypress Hill concert to thank for it (and yes, I ruled the mosh pit as always).

So that picture to our immediate left? That was my view of the game.

*sigh*

Anyway, lets talk about the action (or lack there of). I think it is fair to say that, if this was the World Poker Tour, everyone would know that Coach Osorio defers to the defensive. As I said previous to the game, if the Red Bulls hoped to make it to the next round, they would have to up their attack and score in bunches. That is not what happened. Osorio went with his first instinct – defense – and tried to secure a home victory with a patch work defense and a brand new starting 11. Not the best idea, for sure.

Of course, as happens in most games where a team tries to steal points by sitting on a lead, it will either work or blow up in your face. And since these are the Metro Bulls, that fork in the road always leads one way.

So after a very disheartening and boring approach to the first half, and an exciting start to the second, the Bulls closed the game with a draw. Typical.

Since I am still feeling sick, I can’t really go into much more without feeling nausea. But I will give you a couple of other categories in our usual player reviews this week to make up for it:

MAJOR PROPS:

- JCO: He took a chance and started a completely new and distinct lineup.
- Juan Pablo Angel. Wearing a Captains armband means very little if there is no leadership. And I am not talking about scoring; JPA retaliated on Houston for a dirty Eddie Robinson clip on Andrew Boyens (a non call). Mr. Millions doesn’t have to do that – but he does because he cares. That is why I love Angel; if he doesn’t get the ball, he scowls. When he scores, there is no other person that can match that happiness. He is a leader, he cares and he desperately wants to win. JPA earned even more respect this week (wonder how the Bull Market will rank him now?)
- Luke Sassano, Andrew Boyens and Diego Jimenez: Don’t forget – Conway, Jeff Parke, Juan Pietravallo, Seth Stammler, Carlos Mendes and a partridge in a pear tree were not available for this match. Luke, Andy and Diego filled in the gaps commendably. Boyens and Jimenez have a certain unison in their game play that has helped cover for the missing defensive pieces. And Sassano did a great job of neutralizing the great DeRo.
- Joe Tolleson – Great to have ya back (even if it is for 1 game)

NO PROPS:

- JCO. Let the boys play! Take a chance! I would rather a draw come from a team that was caught on the attack than a team that is sitting in the defensive end, waiting to collect on a check that hasn’t been cashed yet.
- MSG - Sorry, but my picture was really fuzzy.
- Flu or Cold Virus – Thanks for ruining my weekend.

MAN OF THE MATCH