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A closer look at the 2009 New York Red Bulls

JuanPabloAngel 1 (ISIphotos.com) 

                                                                                        Photo by ISIphotos.com

Although the 2008 New York Red Bulls finished their season playing in the MLS Cup final, head coach Juan Carlos Osorio knew his team just wasn't good enough to compete on multiple fronts and pose a serious threat as one of the league's best teams over the course of the season. He knew changes needed to be made and he would have one full winter to pull off the sorely-needed makeover.

What Osorio and the Red Bulls have managed to do in the four months since the MLS Cup final is nothing short of impressive. He has constructed a deep, athletic and talented squad that might just be ready to play like a team worthy of an MLS Cup final appearance.

There are still plenty of question marks to be sure, such as whether Jorge Rojas is ready to rebound after a sub-par first MLS season, and whether the reconstructed back-line will be more consistent and less mistake-prone than last year's group, but a look at the Red Bulls roster reveals a group that should give Osorio a plethora of lineup and formation options that will make the Red Bulls one of the toughest teams in the league to play against.

For those of you who missed it, here is my ESPN.com preview of the Red Bulls. Here are some more observations about the 2009 Red Bulls:

The back-line should be better

The loss of Jeff Parke to the expansion draft figured to cost the Red Bulls dearly, but the club has replaced him with veteran and former New York fan favorite Mike Petke, who has the experience, poise and intelligence to provide some sorely-needed leadership in the back.

The real area of improvement will be at fullback, where Carlos Johnson and Alfredo Pacheco should be the starters once both their signings are completed. Johnson is 6-foot-1, fast and a good crosser. He should be able to provide the attacking element that the position has lacked for years. Pacheco is not as big as Johnson, but he may be even better getting forward and is an aggressive defender who will offer a more dynamic option at left back than Kevin Goldthwaite was.

Speaking of Goldthwaite, he is the defender Osorio is hoping emerges as an impact centerback. Goldthwaite has the physical tools to play well in the middle of the defense, but he is still prone to mistakes and is too easily beaten on set pieces. If he can't find consistency, Osorio won't hesitate to start Andrew Boyens and Carlos Mendes. Neither is as gifted as Goldthwaite, but both are steadier and less mistake prone.

The midfield is one of the deepest in MLS

The Red Bulls weren't exactly looking for a central midfielder when former Spanish national teamer Albert Celades fell into their lap, but Osorio wasn't about to complain. Now that the former Barcelona and Real Madrid man is signed, he is expected to provide a technically gifted presence in the middle of the field who should make his teammates better.

As important as Celades arrival is, just as important is the play of Jorge Rojas, who has looked very sharp in pre-season and could be poised to show off the attacking qualities that he flashed only briefly last season.

Khano Smith is another player who will need to step up his game if the Red Bulls are going to want to be more than just a playoff contender. The former New England winger has been inconsistent throughout his career, but he does have the talent to make an impact, something Osorio is banking on.

Capitalizing on speed

The Red Bulls boast the fastest team in MLS, but don't expect a track team to take the field every week. The Red Bulls will have the luxury of picking certain opponents to try and overwhelm with the likes of Dominic Oduro, Mac Kandji and Matt Mbuta to go along with projected starters Dane Richards and Khano Smith.

Kandji is one player who could be due for a breakout season after showing some flashes late in 2008. His acceleration and ability to take defenders on make him a threat both as a starter or as a super sub off the bench. The same applies to Oduro, whose blazing speed could make him an ideal strike partner for Juan Pablo Angel.

The Depth Chart

Here is a two-deep depth chart of the 2009 Red Bulls, which helps illustrate just how much deeper this year's squad is than the 2008 version:

FIRST TEAM

———————-Angel—————————–

Smith—————Rojas——————-Richards

————-Stammler—–Celades——————-

Pacheco—-Goldthwaite—Petke————Johnson

———————Cepero—————————

SECOND TEAM

————-Wolyniec——–Oduro——————-

Kandji——————————————-Mbuta

————-Sassano——–Ubiparipovic————

Traynor——Mendes—–Boyens—————-Hall

———————-Conway————————–

—————

Are the Red Bulls good enough to win an MLS Cup? The talent is certainly there to challenge for MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup, as well as to contend in the CONCACAF Champions League, but reconstructed teams usually need time to come together. That is why defending champion Columbus and Chicago are still the class of MLS heading into the season, but the Red Bulls have positioned themselves to lead the list of contenders to knock off that top two.

What do you think of the Red Bulls chances in 2009? Think they have a team that can win some trophies? Could this be the most exciting New York team since the 2000 MetroStars? Still not sold on the defense holding up or Rojas improving? Will this team thrive or struggle?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. “Well, it is good to hear there are no more, ‘Fire Osorio’ calls from you guys.”

    It’s nice to see that Osorio learned from last year’s mistakes and did a good job finding players in the off-season.

    Reply
  2. Well, it is good to hear there are no more, “Fire Osorio” calls from you guys.

    This should be a good year for the Red Bulls. I think your concerns will be Angel’s health. Without him, can these other guys step in and fill the void?

    Will these new defenders really give them what they need in the back?

    It would be good for the league if NY does well. Especially going into the 2010 season.

    Reply
  3. “Guys, Pietravallo wasn’t forgotten, he’s just not in the Red Bulls’ two-deep right now. Yes, that says a lot considering his salary, but that’s where he stands now. And for those who have forgotten, his contract is guaranteed, which is why he is still here.”

    Thanks, Ives. I don’t think anybody was saying you forgot Pietravallo. I think we were all just commenting on how bad that situation is.

    It’s especially the case under a hard cap like MLS’s that you really can’t afford to have your highest paid players basically giving you mothing. As much as I like the moves to strengthen the team this year, I can’t help but feel that (unless he provides some return for his play) his contract is going to haunt us.

    Reply
  4. I think it’ll be a shame if Oduro and Kandji are both ready to break out but neither can make the regular starting XI because of deficiencies in the backline. I’d like to see:

    Angel-Kandji
    Rojas
    Smith-Richards
    Celades
    Pacheco-Petke-Mendes-Johnson

    Is Stammler a CB option?

    Reply
  5. I see a NY team with more futball talent than any of the past years. I also see a league which is adding talent year by year. I am happy for this and long for more.

    Reply
  6. Hey Ives,

    Do you know if the Giants Stadium field will have natural grass for the earlier part of the season? It would be a pity to start such a promising season with those hideous American football lines.

    Thanks

    Reply
  7. Right- I left Hall on by mistake. So that means 2 cuts will be needed (i.e., cut Echeverry + 2 more).

    Yes, I know Pacheco and Johnson aren’t official yet. But am asking, once they are added, who gets cut or demoted?

    And assuming we need a GK to back up Cepero, how is that happening? That could require a third cut/demotion.

    Ives, any clues on what the plan is?

    Reply
  8. Pacheco and Johnson are not on the roster yet and Hall counts as a Dev since he has a Gen-Adidas contract. Room will have to be made but we’ll have to find out about that later in the week.

    Reply
  9. I’m more optimistic about this year’s team than I have about any since the 2001 season.

    What I like is that the team seems to be built to take advantage of each player’s strengths and minimize the effect of his weaknesses.

    Khano Smith is a good example. First of all, I don’t expect him to start every game. He’ll play when his strengths are most needed. When he was signed, I was miserable, because if you had swapped Smith in for VDB last year, we wouldn’t have made the playoffs. But against slower teams, or teams whose fullbacks attack (TORONTO, notably), he’ll be able to get in behind the defense. He can’t cross… but Pacheco can, and I remember plenty of good scoring opportunities when VDB was serving them in from the left back slot.

    The key difference is DEPTH. Most MLS teams stick to a first-choice lineup, swapping players out only in case of injury or terrible form. I don’t believe that any player is necessarily a lock to start, except Angel. There will be competition at every position, so no complacency, and Osorio can strategize against opponents more effectively.

    The team might take a month to cohere. Injuries might wreck the season. But all else being equal, this team is going to compete for every trophy.

    I see the usual haters are out making the exact same arguments they always make. Well, my friends, this is a much different NY team– hell, a much different MLS team– than you have ever seen.

    Reply
  10. Trex: “I’d take Stammler at D-Mid over any other team’s D-Mid except maybe Shalrie. ”

    First – “maybe” Shalrie? Jospeh can dominate games. Can Seth?

    Second-

    P. Mastroeni
    R. Clark
    K. Beckerman
    B. Carroll
    L. Pause
    J. Jewsbury
    P. Richetti
    C. Robinson
    C. Simms
    A. Celades (!)

    Nobody there you’d prefer to Seth Stammler?

    Reply
  11. Ives-

    What can you tell us about the Red Bulls roster compliance? Who is being counted as a senior roster player?

    If we believe that last year’s dev players were “promoted” to the senior roster as previously reported, that only leaves 2 current dev players: J. Hall and M. Palacio. Is someone being demoted?

    If not, seems like they have more than 20 senior roster players, even if you don’t count Boss (on IR) or Ech (IR/soon to be cut?) or Traynor (on your depth chart, but not officially signed yet, right?)

    1. Cepero
    2. Conway

    3. Pacheco
    4. Goldy
    5. Petke
    6. Johnson
    7. Mendes
    8. Boyens
    9. Hall

    10. Smith
    11. Celades
    12. Stammler
    13. Rojas
    14. Richards
    15. Kandji
    16. Ubi
    17. Sassano
    18. Mbuta
    19. Borman
    20. Pietravallo

    21. Angel
    22. Oduro
    23. Wolyniec

    Assumptions:
    – Echeverry will but cut, so he won’t make the roster crunch any worse
    – If Traynor is signed, it will be to a dev spot
    – Pietravallo won’t be cut despite no one liking him (guaranteed contract?)
    – 3 other players have to be cut. Or, they could be moved to dev status if possible, with one being cut or M. Palacio being cut.
    – most likely senior roster players to be cut/demoted: Borman, Mbuta, Sassano.
    – Once Boss is healthy, another bump has to be made to make room for him. Boyens?
    – Side Q: if Boss is on IR now, and Conway is suspended, who is the backup GK for the start of the season?

    Reply
  12. Pietravallo is like a magician. He constantly pulls cards out of the most unlikely places. Thanks. I available for weddings, bat mitzvahs…

    I am excited for the season. I say Osario, tinker away. No one will know what to expect. Hopefully it will be fun.

    Reply
  13. Guys, Pietravallo wasn’t forgotten, he’s just not in the Red Bulls’ two-deep right now. Yes, that says a lot considering his salary, but that’s where he stands now. And for those who have forgotten, his contract is guaranteed, which is why he is still here.

    As for Ogunbiyi, I’m not sure what will come of his situation. He probably picked the wrong year to sit out training camp because now the Red Bulls squad is pretty set so unless he can come in now and impress enough to lead to the waiving of a veteran, I don’t think he’s signing with New York this year.

    Reply
  14. Can we get a full New York roster?

    I’ve heard Echeverry, Palacios and Boss have gone, but can’t find evidence.

    Reply
  15. Ives:

    I’ll echo some comments and ask – what happened with Pietravallo? Is he gone, or just forgotten?

    Also, any news on Babajide? Has he talked with Red Bulls more? Will he be signed?

    Reply
  16. Agree with the above re Pietravallo. That signing can’t be viewed as anything other than a complete bust and debacle.

    He’s the second highest paid player on the team and wouldn’t be on the first OR SECOND team? Pathetic.

    Reply
  17. “He’s one of the most underrated players in MLS.”

    Thank you Ives for talking some sense here. I’ve been saying this for the last couple years.

    Stammler is a rock at D-Mid. He does all the dirty work and is always consistent, and if you need him he can play nearly anywhere on the field.

    I’d take Stammler at D-Mid over any other team’s D-Mid except maybe Shalrie. Stammler never gets enough praise, but he’s been absolutely key to holding NY together to even make the playoffs the last two years. He is one of the best in the league.

    Reply
  18. On paper last year DC United looked like a team that had completed a significant improvement over a team that had won the Supporters Shield.

    Unfortunately, what appears on paper isn’t necessarily translated to play on the field.

    Reply
  19. I don’t think there has ever been a more anticipated opening game. Both Seattle and RBNY have stacked line ups.

    Until RBNY takes the field, they’re still a mystery. Chicago and Columbus are the kings right now.

    Reply
  20. Tim, sorry man but you haven’t got a clue in your head.

    Stammler not a good player? Right. Danny Cruz is a good MLS midfielder? The kid’s so good he fell all the way to the third round of the draft even though he was a Generation adidas player.

    Face it Tim, Houston is finished. You guys had your run but you’re done. Mullan and Davis aren’t even that good anymore, Ashe is a nice bench player and Cameron is a better defender than midfielder. And Mulrooney? He plays right back now you genius.

    What does that leave you? Clark and Holden, two good players, but the rest of your midfield is barely above average. They USED TO BE good.

    Don’t believe me? Watch a replay of last year’s playoff game in Houston, when the Red Bulls opened up a can and thoroughly outplayed Houston. You remember Dane Richards right? I bet your defense does.

    Reply
  21. I’m not that impressed by the individual talent. But individual talent doesn’t mean that much.

    I think the real test for RBNY has to do with cohesion and playing with a unit. If the speedsters (Oduro, et. al.) do a great job playing off of Angel, than they’ll devastate people. Or, if they don’t finish (or Angel has some injuries like he has the past two years) than it will be a limp and impotent frontline.

    I think JCO has a tendency to out-coach himself. He did it at times with Chicago. He did it through the first half of last year. He needs to find a formation, define roles and let people play. This is especially critical with young players (like Mbuta and Kandji and Hall and the new foreign talent). Continual shifting roles and formations and schemes will just make a muddle of things.

    I think the book on this team is still out. I think the East will be a wild slugfest. Chicago and Columbus may be the class–right now. But part of the reason it’s so hard to repeat as champions is that standing pat almost always results in failure. I think both Chicago and Columbus will start out in fine form. But I think almost any team in the East could end up supplanting them and I’m pretty positive that those two teams will NOT be the top two in the East.

    Reply
  22. Best starting midfields in MLS:

    1. Columbus

    2. Toronto

    3. Houston

    4. New York

    5. FC Dallas

    Deepest midfields in MLS

    1. Houston

    2. New York

    3. Dallas

    4. Columbus

    5. Toronto

    Even with Van Den Bergh I still don’t buy Dallas as having a better midfield than New York. And all the Rojas haters are funny. He started off well, had a rough stretch, then had a great West final. He’s had a full pre-season now and looks ready for a big year. Dallas gets Van Den Bergh, who is good, and the Colombian guy who is far from a lock to come in and dominate.

    Toronto’s midfield is loaded though. They’ll be fun to watch.

    Reply
  23. Ives,

    I actually would take Kandji over Smith in your starting lineup. Do you think Goldie is faster than Boyens or Mendes? I know they are not the best you could hope for, but Goldie has a propensity to get beat and slow to recover.

    Cheers

    Reply
  24. Fair enough guys, I’ll say ONE OF the deepest midfields in MLS. That said, is Houston’s midfield as good as it once was? And the Crew’s starting midfield is arguably the best in MLS, but is the midfield as a whole really as deep as the Red Bulls? Not sure about that one, but I suppose we will see soon enough.

    Lastly, Tim, not sure how you can sit there and say Seth Stammler “isn’t even a good player”. He’s one of the most underrated players in MLS.

    Reply
  25. Um Goldthwaite at centerback will be a disaster. I still think we are very week in the center of defense, we are one Petke injury from being in really bad shape there. Boyans and Mendes are not a championship defensive pairing.

    Reply
  26. awesome preview. will you be doing something similar for most/all of the other teams? the projected depth chart was especially nice.

    Reply
  27. Not to mention Rojas was terrible last year and Celades only played 71 games in his last 4 years at Zaragoza. Doesnt bode so well for a 33 yr old.

    Reply
  28. “It’s entertaining that Pietrvallo doesn’t even make the top 2 teams. Posted by: MikeK”

    Hell, at his salary it’s more sad than entertaining.

    Reply
  29. Sorry Ives. Clark, Holden, Davis, Mullan, Mulrooney, Cameron, Ashe, Cruz is still the deepest midfield in the league with quality at every position, 2 deep.

    Thats what? How many players who have been in the MLS Best XI? Plus U23 Olympic player Holden, finalist for rookie of the year Cameron, and U20 standout Cruz?

    Stammler isnt even a good player, yet he starts for NY. Sassano and Ubiparipovic had what? a few good games at the end of last season. Please….

    Reply
  30. Smith has a heck of a lot to do to sell me on him. I liked JCO’s analysis of him but have never seen the player he described on the field for more than a few minutes at a time.

    And as much as it pains me to say it, I think Parke is superior to Petke in many aspects of the game.

    Reply
  31. osorio is really a talented coach and i hope he stays with the team for a long, long time. the FO has really done well with the team and there is no doubt in my mind that red bull is committed 100% to SOCCER and not just marketing their drink.

    Reply
  32. I agree with Jason, I don’t think NY has the deepest midfield, much less a very trustworthy midfield. They are counting on Smith, who has proven in his time in the league to be Jekyll and Hyde and Rojas, who looked awful last season, to be consistent contributors and hoping Celades still has something left in his tank. Not saying these can’t happen, but its alot of hoping for the best. Columbus has a great midfield, as Jason pointed out, and I think Dallas picking up Vandenbergh and the Columbian guy makes their midfield up at the top, with young guns like Dax, Avila, Shea and Wallace, plus Saragosa off the bench. Not to mention Toronto with De Rosario coming in, adding a young stud like Cronin to spell Robinson or whoever, and Houston who has Holden slide in for DeRo, and still have Ashe, Mulrooney, Cameron and added Cruz to the bench. I know Ives is talking depth, but to me their starters alone knock them off that claim, and I think I just provided 4 teams off the top of my head that have better midfields. I think the team Osorio has put together is going to be a typical maddening NY team, especially when we see guys like Oduro and Kandji out there blazing past guys but having no finishing touch to save their lives.

    Reply
  33. Last post season the Red Bulls had few if any signings of note. Not until mid season was anyone brought in, maybe too late. This year the signings are pre-season and they “seem” to be quality+. The excitement is there!

    Bring on the season, bring on the Sounders..

    Reply
  34. Osorio is doing a good job, recognizing that the run was somewhat of a fluke, and working to improve the depth.

    But the deepest midfield in the league? I’d look to my hometown squad: Schelotto, Rogers, Gaven, Carroll, Ekpo, Moffat, Noonan, Oughton, O’Rourke, Nyazamba, Grendi.

    Though Moffat and Noonan are hurt at the moment, and Nyazamba & Grendi are newbies.

    Reply
  35. If JPA is healthy, things will go well. If he gets hurt, probably be the same as the past couple of years with inconsistent performances. Win 3-1 one week and will look dominating, then get blown out 5-1 at home the next…

    Reply
  36. Haha, well said Eugene…welcome to the the league indeed, Sounders.

    I’m really optimistic about this year’s team. There are some question marks, but this is a deep team with a lot of ability all over the field, and speed to spare. Plus THE BEST STRIKER IN THE LEAGUE, JUAN PABLO ANGEL.

    I predict 3-1 RBNY next Thursday, and a 50-point season in ’09.

    Reply
  37. Great summaries Ives! At this point I’m penciling them in as the favorites to get the #3 seed in the east, but like you said, by the end of the season they could gel enough to become one of the favorites to take the cup.

    Only thing missing… what are your thoughts on Cepero and Conway? Cepero has the spot for the first 4 games yes, but from what you’ve heard, what are the chances he holds onto that spot even when Conway comes back? I haven’t heard much chatter about that so I wasn’t sure if it was still too close to call.

    Reply
  38. I’m excited, and I’m sorry that we’ll have to ruin Seattle’s inaugural season parade in front of a full house on March 19th. Oh well, welcome to the league.

    Go RED BULLS!

    Reply
  39. I think our depth and solidifying the back line is going to push us over the edge. I feel that part of the reason Rojas wasn’t in the game was partially a mental thing based around the lack of solid support. That’s a weakness, but I definitely think the strong supporting cast that Osorio has put together will give Rojas more confidence, and should improve his game significantly. Granted, this is with the assumption that the supporting cast is as strong as I’m giving them credit for. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what NY can do, and can only hope for trophies.

    Reply

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