Understanding Osorio

By: Dave Martinez | November 6th, 2008

As the starting lineup for the first leg of this home and home series was announced, it seemed that the omissions were louder than the stadiums speakers. Juan Pietravallo, Gabriel Cichero and Jorge Rojas all rode the bench in a crucial playoff showdown. But put it into context; these are the show pieces of the Coaches midseason signings. When does that ever happen? Why did it happen to begin with?

Osorio recently spoke to BAS and offered some insight into the coaches mindset:

There are no automatic choices in this team. Probably there is one or two. . . .. For the time being, my message for everybody is that you need to earn your spot. They also know that I am not afraid to play the guys who I think deserved the chance.

Well, that explains the lineups this year, no? Osorio has made 8 signings this season, and only two of those acquisitions fielded the starting 11 this past week, and that was under situations of duress (Boyens and Jimenez). He was making a major statement with their benching; I don’t care who signed you – you perform, you play.

On the one end, it is a highly commendable thing for a Coach to do. On the other hand, was the 31st game of the season, a playoff game no less, the place to take a chance? Will it be enough to light a fire under their collective behinds? Is the risk going to be worth the reward? Or will Rojas and Co. rebel against their coaches decision?

Quite the risk indeed.

The other thing we hear loud and clear from this quote is Osorio’s satisfaction with the team performance of the previous game;

Rotating the team is part of my thing that I believe in. Basically what happened on Saturday, it paid off for us.

What was it that paid off again? I think he was referring to the benchings. But the only barometer to use in measuring the effectiveness of his decision will be the result for this weekends playoff clash. A 1-1 draw at home, in the playoffs, is nothing to celebrate, no matter what pieces were used.

And about the rotating of the team thing: STOP! Players enjoy continuity! The weekly uncertainty with the lineup is enough to make a team want to pack up its bags and go home. Sure, benchings were in order to get a point made. I understand that. But let it be the last punitive lineup decision you have to make. Promise the team some comfort and continuity if they earn it. A defense needs the time to gel. Ditto with the midfield. If they have more time to play and recognize each other, you will have a more cohesive unit to feed the strikers, who will suddenly become effective. Rotating the team around, this late in the season, is a bit of a no no.

Then again, I am just a blogger.

This is the Red Bulls coach. And as the year has progressed, we have gotten to know him better. With the blessing of potential Hall of Famer, Jeff Agoos, we may see another year of his style. But will these measures be enough to take the Bulls to the next level?