It was only the first full day of practice since Sunday’s stunning upset win against the Houston Dynamo, but the Red Bulls were still showing the fight and intensity in training that they showed in beating the two-time champions.
There is definitely an air of confidence around the group as it went through its paces at Montclair State on Wednesday. Some players were given rests, but most of the key players from Sunday’s victory were back on the field and training like a team ready to battle for a place in the MLS Cup final.
Here are some observations from today’s practice session:
Juan Pablo Angel, Luke Sassano and Andrew Boyens were held out of practice. While Angel and Sassano were being rested, Boyens was protecting a forearm injury that he isn’t expected to keep him out of Saturday’s Western Conference final.
Head coach Juan Carlos Osorio spent a long time after practice speaking with his three South American signings, Jorge Rojas, Juan Pietravallo and Gabriel Cichero. He spent extra time talking to Cichero, who could potentially be pressed into action if any of the team’s starting defenders were to get injured.
If the thought of Cichero playing sounds extremely scary to Red Bulls fans, it should. Here are some truly staggering stats for you. In games that Cichero hasn’t played in since he joined the Red Bulls, the team is 4-0-2 with 0.50 goals-against average (three goals allowed). In games that Cichero has played in, the Red Bulls are 3-5 with a 2.40 goals-against average (19 goals allowed). Yes, wow.
When asked to choose which of his saves against Houston on Sunday was his favorite, goalkeeper Danny Cepero pointed to a finger-tip stop on a Stuart Holden blast. As for the memorable kick save he made, Cepero admitted that he just stuck his leg out and prayed, "please let it hit my leg."
If you were hoping that the running war of words between Real Salt Lake midfielder Dema Kovalenko and Osorio would continue this week, don’t bet on it. Well, don’t expect Osorio to play along. When asked about the former Red Bulls player who he traded away last off-season, Osorio simply stated, "He’s a good player." Stay tuned for Kovalenko’s latest later this week.
While he might not be happy to see Osorio when the Red Bulls travel to Salt Lake City, Kovalenko will be greeting some close friends from the team he played for last year in former roommates Sinisa Ubiparipovic, Dane Richards and Danny Cepero.
If the Red Bulls were surprised by the number of fans that made the trip to Houston for Sunday’s game (a traveling party of around 25), they could be in for similar treat on Saturday as close to 30 Red Bulls fans are expected to make the trip to Salt Lake City for Saturday’s West final. The Red Bulls will be providing traveling fans with free tickets to the match.
One person who was recently spotted at the Red Bulls practice facility is suspended goalkeeper Jon Conway, who can’t train with the team but is free to use the team’s facilities. He has yet to speak publicly about his suspension for failing Major League Soccer’s performance-enhancing drug test, but is expected to discuss it after the season.
That’s all for now. Feel free to share your thoughts on any of the above notes in the comments section below.
“RSL fan here.
Only 5,000 sold as of today. It really is a shame that this game is competing with the UorU and BYU, and the Utah Jazz. There is also a Ballet to compete with. Maybe you NY fans can get more to come to SLC?
I hope it isn’t the whole Mormon-Proposition 8 boycott or something.
As for the crowd, don’t expect it to be loud. Us Utahns are a quite bunch, and are going to save our energy for Sunday; church. We usually show up late and leave early. We don’t expect much; especially when playing a team from such a big city. Man, NY is big. RBNY is definately favored and RSL has NEVER beat NYRB or the Metros.”
Go Red Bulls. I don’t want to see another Utah victory in California.
Bring back Dema!!! :””(
hahaha we beat Houston ! you jealous?
ahh. sarcasm.
plus one AL17! wonder if comedy central has a blog for sbi! and yeah, use your binoc.s for lip reading next time Ives, j.k.!
RSL fan here.
Only 5,000 sold as of today. It really is a shame that this game is competing with the UorU and BYU, and the Utah Jazz. There is also a Ballet to compete with. Maybe you NY fans can get more to come to SLC?
I hope it isn’t the whole Mormon-Proposition 8 boycott or something.
As for the crowd, don’t expect it to be loud. Us Utahns are a quite bunch, and are going to save our energy for Sunday; church. We usually show up late and leave early. We don’t expect much; especially when playing a team from such a big city. Man, NY is big. RBNY is definately favored and RSL has NEVER beat NYRB or the Metros.
I bet the practice was historic.
LMAO!!!
That’s a good one and actually might be true. Has the MetroStars / RedBulls ever played in a Conference Semi-Final? I dunno, hence my asking the question. If not then this practice would be Historic.
Still LMAO!!
Ives,
Any idea if this match is going to be a sell-out, or close? RSL seems to have a pretty solid fanbase, and it would be great for the league’s image to have Rio Tinto packed for this match.
It’ll also be equally as sweet to hear the place fall silent (except for the 30 or so RBNY fans) when RBNY pops a few in!
practice – damn fingers
I bet the pratice was “historic”
Sonic Monkey: I realize that Ives was not part of the conversation and that JCO would not divulge the conent of his converstions to Ives!
What was the tone of the conversations? (amicable or argumentative?) What was the reaction of the 3 SA’s? Did they storm out of the training facility after the meeting? Since Boyens was rested, I assume that Cichero took his place in practice. How did Cichero look? Have the other RB players lost confidence in Cichero and the others? This is the kind of information that I was hoping Ives would elaborate on.
@Haig: He could also be “Debbie Downer” from SNL. They both fit the bill nicely. I like the cheap entertainment though. Thanks Tim.
Hey Ives, theres 3 other teams left in the playoffs. How about some news on them instead this NY circle jerk you’ve had the last couple of days. 😀
Everytime I read what “Tim” has to say, I can’t help but hearing it read in the voice of Droopy Dog.
Play with three in the back or slide in Van Den Bergh at left back to keep four, but I’d rather not see Cichero.
Have to laugh at Ives and his constant touting of the “stunning upset win.” What a disappointment it will be when it was all for nothing.
Stephen, how much more can Ives elaborate? Its not like he was involved in the conversation. He reported what he saw.
oooooo history repeats itself….
with the fire, he barely gets into the playoffs (obviously not his fault due to the fire’s poor record when he arrived, but still), upsets the #1 team in the division, and pulls a coaching BLUNDER in the confrence finals(named wanchope)…
now he’s giving his 3 S.A. signings a talk… perhaps to explain their poor performances are causing him to go elsewhere?? or perhaps he’s psyching them up for a reunion tour in the confrence finals??
either way, for the redbulls sake i hope its the first option…. but for comedy’s sake, i hope its the 2nd option 😀
Go BULLS!!
Here’s hoping the altitude doesn’t affect them and that they’re good to go at full strength.
Ives-ESC is bringing about 2 dozen, and I heard that there are other RBNY fans making the trek out there, some are from RBN and FRI. Good on all of ’em, since we’re all gonna support the bhoys.
And I still can’t believe what I witnessed Sunday in H-town!
why cant conway train with the team? that seems extra harsh especially when you consider the specifics of his situation.
I would love to know what JCO said to his 3 SA signings – especially Cichero! Ives – can you elaborate?
I just want to say, I watched it and I still don’t believe it.