Top Stories

Red Bulls Update: Reyna and Altidore fit, Stammler doubtful

Claudio_reyna_isi_photos

                                                 Photo by ISI Photos

Claudio Reyna and Jozy Altidore trained on Friday and look like safe bets to be in the starting lineup for the Red Bulls when they play host to the Chicago Fire on Sunday at Giants Stadium. Seth Stammler, who hasn’t trained all week due to a back injury, is doubtful.

Reyna’s return is crucial for the Red Bulls against a Chicago Fire attack led by playmaker Cuauhtemoc Blanco. With Stammler unlikely to play, Reyna is expected to have the task of trying to neutralize Chicago’s attacking midfielder.

Altidore, who missed two days of training with ingrown toe nails in both feet, trained on Friday and looks ready to play.

So what lineup might we see on Sunday? Here are the two best possibilities:

3-4-3

Altidore————Angel————Richards

Borman—–Reyna—–Sassano—-Freeman

Goldthwaite——–Parke————-Leitch

——————–Conway——————-

4-3-3

Altidore————Angel————-Richards

Borman————-Reyna————Freeman

Goldthwaite—Parke—-Boyens———Leitch

——————–Conway———————–

So why Chris Leitch? Justin Mapp is way too quick for Boyens to deal and he has played well when used at right back.

The 3-4-3 is probably the best bet, but I I wouldn’t be surprised to see a 4-3-3.

What do you think of Reyna and Altidore playing on Sunday? What do you think about the potential Red Bull lineups? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Berger’s lineup it is. Leitch is not as slow as Boyens – he may have little skill, but he does have some wheels.

    Reply
  2. I like Berger’s formation as well because I prefer Freeman as the right back (outside of an awful game he had against DC last year).

    Reply
  3. Sorry Ives…Leitch is as slow as Boyens so I have to go with Dave Berger’s line-up too althogh Magee played poorly last week vs KC!

    Reply
  4. I agree with Berger as well. 3-5-2 is the way to go. Richards has no shooting ability, but can run all day and has some nice moves so I love him on the wing. Also keeps Altidore closer to goal and provides more midfield support.

    Reply
  5. I agree with Berger, that’s the more likely formation we’ll see, although I think Reyna plays central mid instead of Magee and Ubiparipovic plays alongside Sassano.

    The 3-4-3 last game was ineffective and Osorio has said repeatedly that he’ll play a 3-5-2 at home — don’t know why he would go to a 4-3-3 now just to get Leitch on the field.

    Leitch is more of a liability in defense than any “speed” he may have to counter Mapp. Plus Leitch is terrible 1v1, Mapp would just burn him anyway.

    Reply
  6. ———Altidore—————Angel——–

    ———————Magee——————-

    Borman—————————-Richards—

    ———-Sassano———–Reyna————

    Goldthwaite———-Parke————Freeman

    ——————–Conway——————-

    Reply
  7. Looks great.

    Although Sassano looked better than Magee last game, I can see Magee getting the call ahead of him due to experience and for more of an attack-mentality.

    Reply

Leave a Comment