The Hunt for Red (Bull) November

Do I even need to bother recapping this game?  You might as well just read my last post.  It meets all the requirements: disappointment, 2-2 draw, second half comeback, Ballouchy being useless… you know, the usual.  Just when you think they can’t draw against a crappier team, they do.  The Revs, proud owners of the most anemic offense in the league, still managed to take a 2-0 lead against New York and it took a 87^th minute equalizer to walk away with a point.  Their winless streak at Gillette continues, with the Metro Bulls failing to collect all three points since their first trip their in 2002, but at this point, that’s the least of their concerns.

A season that started with so much promise is all but lost now.  After starting 4-1-2 in their first seven games and looking like the class of the league, New York is a pitiful 2-5-14.  Henry said it best after last weeks draw against the Fire, claiming that they are not where they want to be, but where they deserve to be.  Speaking of Thierry, where was he last night?  Oh, that’s right.  His inflammation flared up again.  Shocker.  Get this: the last two Red Bulls road games on turf (Seattle and Vancouver) Henry was absent as well.  I’d put my money on the Frenchman missing out the TFC road trip as well, but that’s just me.

Once again, the Red Bulls have a very clever way of making a tie in a must-win game seem almost acceptable.  This tactic, of course, is accomplished by not giving in a shit in the first 45, then playing actual soccer in the second half and grinding out two goals to walk away with yet another draw.  The fact of the matter is, it’s unacceptable.  Regardless of all the missing players, the Bulls still had plenty of talent to handle the lowly Revs.

God, there are so many things that pissed me off about last night, I can’t even begin to collect my thoughts, but I’ll start with Rafa.  I’ve been in his corner throughout his tenure here, and despite all the criticism he’s taken over the years, I’ve remained confident in his play.  But that’s just it, it’s not his play I’m concerned with anymore, it’s his effort.  Seriously, does he even give a shit anymore (if he ever did)?  Wearing the captain’s armband, you’d expect him to take a leadership role and command the backline and reinforce his teammates.  The only thing I saw last night was the Mexican bitching at the ref constantly and blaming others for his mistakes.  For the amount of money he’s making, it’s unacceptable.

Then there’s the Ballouchy-Backe love affair.  Jesus, does this piss me off.  The guy is shit, that’s all there is to say.  He’ll have a few nice touches on the ball, then give the ball away on another fucking back pass to no one in particular.  Once Auvray came in, the game seemed to open up more and the Bulls attack was more fluid.  Backe, please, take this fool of the pitch permanently.  He’s had chance after chance to prove himself and he simply hasn’t cut it.

Perhaps the only positive to take away from last night was Dane Richards’ brace.  His return to goal scoring is a sight for sore eyes.  He was the beneficiary of a great ball over the top courtesy of Tim Ream for his first and calmly tapped in from close in the 87^th off of a Joel Lindpere cross.  Dane said after the game that he predicted he’d score a hat trick before the game.  Almost, Dane, almost.

New York’s playoff hopes are looking slimmer and slimmer by the week, and although it seemed unfathomable at the season’s inception, we may just witness a post season void of Red Bulls soccer.  Without Tainio next week (red card suspension), New York’s task of beating a hot LA side just got even tougher.  Will New York find a way to make the playoffs?  Is this season a total flop?  Lemme know down below.

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Category: Bouna Coundoul, CURRENT ROSTER, Dane Richards, Joel Lindpere, Mehdi Ballouchy, News, Rafa Marquez, Red Bulls, Results, Roundup!, Teemu Tainio, Thierry Henry, Tim Ream