The New York Red Bulls take on the Chicago Fire at Giants Stadium today and the Red Bulls come in desperately needing points to catch up with the lead pack in the East. The Fire is in first place in the East and will look to extend its unbeaten streak to ten matches.
I will be providing commentary throughout the match so please feel free to follow along here. As always, you are welcome to share your own thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action.
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FINAL– Man of the match today goes to Chris Rolfe for finishing the Fire's best and arguably only quality chance of the day. For the Red Bulls, it was Kevin Goldthwaite, who was a rock in the balck for New York today. Nobody in the Red Bulls attack is close to being deserving, and if anything, Angel was the Red Bulls' worst attacking player today.
That's all for me. Share your post-game thoughts on the match in the comments section below.
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FINAL– Fire 1, Red Bulls 0.
Disappointing result for the Red Bulls, who played one of their better games of the season, but better wasn't going to be enough with the poor finishing and decision-making in the final third.
Chicago bent defensively, but never made too costly an error and showed great discipline and cohesiveness. It says something when a team can not play its best but still win. The Fire didn't dazzle, but took its best chance and goalkeeper Jon Busch helped it stand up.
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91st minute– BORMAN SOOO CLOSE. Header is saved by Busch. WOW.
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90th minute– Richards gets behind the Fire defense but goes for a sharp-angled shot instead of the pass. Bad decision.
Two minutes of stoppage.
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89th minute– Red Bulls get another corner.
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87th minute– Red Bulls corner. Wasted.
Richards just finished off a long and dangerous run, but when he gets a lucky bounce that springs him in the box, he holds on too long and settles for a corner. Another wasted chance.
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86th minute– Nyarko is in for Rolfe.
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85th minute– Angel gets a great ball and runs into the area, but he fails to create a good angle for a shot. This just isn't like Angel.
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82nd minute– Angel with an awful touch on a promising sequence. He's just been bad today and the Red Bulls can't beat a team like the Fire with Angel playing this poorly.
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80th minute– Celades with a great move to beat two Fire defenders but nobody can get to his pass in the area.
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78th minute– Kandji with a nice run forward but Angel doesn't get to the pass before Ward intercepts. Not Angel's best day today.
Kandji and Richards with a nice combination to force a corner.
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74th minute– The Red Bulls have tried this new lineup but still aren't finding results, and the chances they created in the first half have disappeared in the second. Who will step up for the Red Bulls, or will the Fire put the match away in clinical fashion with a second goal?
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71st minute– Fire corner kick.
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68th minute- 10,762 is the attendance today. Looks more like 4,000.
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66th minute– Dane Richards moves over to the left side to try and go at Ward. He hasn't had much luck with Segares through the years.
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64th minute- Chicago is just so organized and rarely gives up too much space.
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62nd minute– Danleigh Borman is in for Ubiparipovic.
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60th minute- Celades with a clear look at goal and has his shot saved by Busch. He needs to do better there.
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58th minute- This formation, in theory, should cause some match-up problems for Chicago, with Kandji attacking from a variety of locations. Chicago looks to be handling it well early on.
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55th minute– Richards comes in for Petke and the Red Bulls move into what looks like a 3-4-3 formation, with Kandji floating around free.
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51st minute– Dane Richards is coming into the match.
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46th minute– And we're back.
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HALFTIME- No subs for either team.
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HALFTIME- Can it really be Alfredo Pacheco with another error that costs the team a goal? He lost Rolfe on the goal. Apparently the haircut didn't help.
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HALFTIME- Is there something about the stoppage time indicator that makes the Red Bulls fall apart? It's just amazing how many times they'll come unglued at the end of a half or game.
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HALFTIME- Rolfe just owns the Red Bulls.
Juan Carlos Osorio has to be at a loss for words. He watches the Red Bulls have the better of the play but the Fire takes and finishes its only real chance. The game is all about finishing chances and the Fire did that while the Red Bulls didn't.
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45th minute- GOAL FIRE!!!!! Chris Rolfe with the finish.
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44th minute- Pacheco with a yellow card for a handball.
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43rd minute- The Red Bulls need to take better advantage of their chances because those chances won't be there in the second half. Well, not as many will be.
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40th minute- Jeremy Hall with a nice play. He's been solid all day. Marco Pappa has no impact on this match.
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34th minute- The Fire is pretty much bypassing the midfield and sending long balls to McBride and Blanco. Pappa and Rolfe really should be more involved in this game.
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33rd minute- Angel header saved by Busch off a nice ball in from Stammler.
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30th minute- Wasted corner. Are there any other kind for the Red Bulls?
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29th minute- The Red Bulls have moved the ball around very well here. Chicago's applying some pressure but are mainly chasing the game here.
Red Bulls corner.
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24th minute- Blanco has yet to have an impact on this match. He's spent a lot of time very high, near the central defenders. Not sure if he will find much success there. Looks like he's trying to match himself up against Petke, the least athletic of the four Red Bulls defenders.
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20th minute- No score yet but there has been some good ball movement and intent to attack. Chicago is so potent on the counterattack that it's only a matter of time before they find some chances. That said, the Red Bulls are staying in good positions.
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18th minute- Wolyniec just hit a blast at Busch that went right at the Fire keeper, but was still impressively hit.
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17th minute- Rolfe gets a yellow for fouling Kandji, who puts a great move on to get past Ward. That's the match9up the Red Bulls want.
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16th minute- The Fire will be keying on Albert Celades and trying to pressure him at every turn. They know he's the key to the Red Bulls attack today.
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14th minute- Anybody else think Pacheco lost a bet and that's why he cut his hair off? In all seriousness, the Rolfe-Pacheco battle will be an important one today.
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13th minute- So why play Kandji on the left? Tim Ward is A) a key threat on the overlap and B) Kandji is a very tough match-up for him defensively. What ultimately matters for Kandji is the midfield creating chances and getting him service. Whether he's up top or on the flank, he needs good passes his way.
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11th minute– Blanco's still down. Must be the turf monster.
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9th minute– What a shock, Blanco is on the ground.
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4th minute- Wolyniec gets the start after a handful of quality performances. Kandji will patrol the left flank. The reason for that has as much to do with making Tim Ward defend as wanting Kandji to attack from the wing.
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2nd minute– Here is Chicago's lineup:
——————McBride———————
Pappa————Blanco—————Rolfe
————-Pause——Thorrington——–
Segares—Conde——Soumare—–Ward
——————Busch————————
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1st minute– And we're off.
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PRE-GAME– Here is the Red Bulls lineup-
————–Wolyniec——-Angel—————–
———————-Celades————————–
Kandji——————————–Ubiparipovic
———————-Stammler———————–
Pacheco—-Goldthwaite—-Petke———–Hall
ANy chance of getting Klingsman as coach since he’s not @ B.M. anymore??? We can only hope!!
I’ve been a season-ticket holder for thirteen years, and I have to say that this was one of the worst games I have ever witnessed (and Lord have there been some BAD games over the years). What surprises me more than anything is how no one seems to comment on the field. Field-turf kills the subtlety and nuance of soccer, and the field at Giants Stadium has to be the worst surface in the league; just dreadful stuff. All the balls come in at waist level, and it takes an eternity to deaden a ball, so it’s punt and pray tactics all game. Balls skip and skim with so much action on them that even RBNY’s most skilled passers look panicked and out-of-sorts (not that RBNY has many skilled passers). In my opinion, they can’t open Red Bull Arena fast enough. Field Turf kills the game
Martha celebrates the Fire victory…
http://www.brettpond.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/old-hag-small1.jpg
Martha, what are you talking about?!
First of all, just wait till RedBull Arena, the crowds will start to get bigger.
I agree Angel is not as good as he used to be, he is quite overrated now but, he is definitely not off the roster yet.
Second, it was not a “yawn” game. Once again we were given an awful ref. And the Fire didn’t beat NYRB, Busch did. Metro had more shots but couldn’t get any past him.
@martha c
Really? You were extraordinarily lucky to escape with a point, let alone three. Bitter, delusional Chicago fans. Gotta love ’em.
Hands off Kandji. When your geriatrics move on next season he’ll be banging them in against the Fire.
A loss is a loss, but the officiating in this league is terrible!!! Did anyone else notice the Tim Ward handball, it almost seemed like he stopped because he knew it was one, but no whitsle, so he continued. I believe there was at least 2 more handballs, no call. Pacheo handball…yellow card. Isn’t there mandatory retirement for Italian refs? Maybe we can bring them over and replace these bums.
Piss poor crowd. Your right Haig NY used to have great crowds, when Pele played for the Cosmos and that first time Beckham played.
NJ Red Metros played well…but Fire still have karma on their side because of benedict osorio. Fire 5-0 against NJ red metros since the change.
Disagree with Ives. Thought Kanji played well. Talents wasted on such a piss poor team. Needs to find his way to the Fire.
Angel sucks now. his game is in decline big time. He could be a good cherry picker at his advanced age….or maybe not as evidenced by this game.
yawn fire beat NJ with their eyes closed and foot way off the accelerator. NJ needs to be in USL and is proof that regulation is needed.
angel picked a hell of a day to have a bad game
“Does the team have any cap room left? Would love to see them work on acquiring somebody capable of making a dangerous pass in midfield.”
The current roster is good enough to compete in MLS. Maybe they’re not a top tier team, but surely they could compete for playoff spots #5 through #8. But Osorio’s tactics make them add up to less than the sum of their parts, and the total lack of focus and discipline comes from a lack of leadership.
Besides, Osorio is such an awful talent evaluator that I’d really rather not see him given the opportunity to give a guaranteed multiple year contract to yet another crappy player. Ironic, because that was supposed to be one of his strengths.
If reports that Agoos is the one who botched Van Den Burgh’s deal are true, then Agoos needs to be kept as far away from personnel decisions as well, and probably should be fired.
Too bad, because consistency is something this franchise needs, but the blunder twins, Agoos and Osorio, make the same mistakes over and over. Teams who tolerate mediocrity as long as the trend is positive are the teams who eventually improve, but NY has been getting worse over time.
So yes, I agree that we probably need one or two more signings, but only after Osorio and Agoos are fired and some of their terrible signings are waived.
Arggghh, so frustrating. Lots of good chances – I don’t agree that Chicago were especially impressive – but either the final ball wasn’t there, the finishing was not good enough, or Busch made a save. There were times earlier in the season when JCO was claiming that we deserved more from a game when we clearly did not. Today I think that can fairly be said.
Credit to the Red Bulls defenders for keeping Blanco and McBride at bay. We may suck but at least we don’t have a serial cheat in our team.
Dunno what to think about it in the end. We ARE playing better now that we’ve abandoned the 4-5-1 and dumped Khano to the bench (where he belongs for eternity). But we are still not getting the points we need and it’s a results business.
Got back from a game a little while ago, and I thought the team played well in the back and in midfield, that is, until it came time to make the incisive pass or to finish.
Does the team have any cap room left? Would love to see them work on acquiring somebody capable of making a dangerous pass in midfield.
I’m also hoping that Angel poor performance today was an aberration. Definitely disappointing when he had good chances and can’t finish when the team needs him.
We OWN you New York!
Have a nice holiday!
59 Dynasty, for the first few seasons, this franchise drew crowds that Filthadelphia would only be able to dream of. But a series of incompetent owners and executives, including Philly Onion’s own Nick S, cut those huge crowds to almost nothing. NY has great supporters, but those left are a fraction of those who won’t go because the team is run so badly as to offer almost nothing worth watching.
So after the novelty wears off and Nick’s incompetence becomes highly visible, you won’t even need the small number of seats in Molester Stadium, while all the Jersey team needs is to ditch the name and hire a good GM.
as a galaxy fan I am greatful.
Thanks NY.
Don’t understand what Angel’s problem was today. RB had some decent moments but passing in the attack, especially the final pass/passes in the final 1/3rd, was awful. No Rojas hurt today. I don’t know what you do with Angel/Woly/Kandji. I’m not sure it makes sense to play them all together.
Angel needs to ride the pine for a game
ANGEL was the Red Bulls’ WORST attacking player today and will be for the future.
This guy need to be benched.
OSORIO MUST GO.
This is a joke…..’HEAD COACH’…THE MISTER….JC OSORIO STILL IN THAT POSITION…AND another lost game, HAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, and Mr Agoos his godfather keeping him in that position…….both must GO…is time now or never…RED BULLS WORSE TEAM IN THE WHOLE LEAGUE.
AGOOS COME WITH ARENA TO RED BULLS 2+ YEARS AGO, THANKS ARENA THE IDIOT “EX NATONAL COACH” FOR LEAVE THAT SPOILED SEED WITH US.
Richards has such a bad touch right now that he’s effectively no-footed.
He’s shown that he can step it up in big games. Why not do that more regularly?
I’m guessing that Osorio isn’t employing a sports psychologist for the team.
neumannator,
there are players on a much higher level who are one-footed…richards bigger issue is his overall poor decision making
Richards got the big head after his pay raise he needs a real dose of exile… Angel should have buried his chances, tough game for him. I’m not a Borman fan he made several key bad passes that killed the attack.
The redbulls really need to relegate ubi to the bench, he’s gotten too comfortable they need another two way player maybe exantus or dilly will do that for them or a transfer. The defense has gotten loads better from the first game I think that Jeremy Hall has a bright future, he looks calm and makes good decisions.
Hey Red Bulls fans, at least you didn’t tie.
Would it be possible to remove and sell the top tier of RBP to Philly?
ANGEL must be benched.
if Richards refuses to use his left foot, why play him on the left side? in fact, how can a player at this level only have one foot?
Early game Ratings,
Conway-7 did ok sucked on the croses
Goldwaith-9 best player today defended well and broke up alot of fire chances
Petke-7 played his part did ok
Pacheco 7 same as petke
Hall 8 croses and ball movement good defended well
Stamler -6 where the heck was he in the game
Celedas 7 played his part nothing special
Povic -6 sucks at crossing the ball made alot of stupid mistakes
Kanji 7 did aright early in the game , made some stupid irresponsible mistakes that could have been avoided
Woly- 5 Jesus Mohamad God help him please
Angel -4 he just stood around being frustrated not showing any true leadership and sucked when he got chances What the hell is get doing out their . He must have the swine flue or somthing
Subs
Borman -8 has been decent since coming on gave the team a spark
Richards – 6 for his effort nothing special taking stupid shots when he should have passed it.
Kharma. Jersey metros sold their soul to the corporates. This is going to be a comedy in that awesome stadium.
OSORIO MUST GO
Isaac i never liked Woly never not even when he scores pretty goals cause i know its just luck . i’ve watched too many times to believe that lucky smack
76th minute: Why did Kandji elect to pass to JPA rather than Woly right there, no confidence in Woly huh, play it simple!
Ok i give the hell up in the 76 minute we are clueless in the final third trying to make pretty passes and missing the whole point of the game. Woly tho an idiot was wide open but Kanji wanted to look pretty and made poor and much more difficult pass.
Everybody seems to hate Woly when he does bad but love him when he does great. It’s not like Wolyniec’s teammates are doing all that great of a job. He does better with a collective team effort.
jeremy hall makes a run on the flank and f***ing richards takes the liberty of kicking it out of bounds…worthless piece of ****
Oh My God!What it will take to fire this f…ing so call coach.
why the hell is he holding the ball when he should just make the easy pass out wide i hate Woly damit get him off the field .
Osorio needs to stop fooling himself with Woly and these once in a blue moon miracle goals he’s not a starter he sucks starting. he’s not as skilled as his younger hears and he looses his mind when he gets the ball 90% of the times . this is crazy, damit damit smash smash smash .
Rolfe was onside. One of the defenders just lost him, don’t know which one, but he was looking around in a panic when that ball was played to Rolfe.
Another goal in injury time. Obviously it was due to a player’s mental error, but teams that are well-coached do not make mistakes like that. It’s a lack of discipline. NY needs a change at the top.
just watching the replay on tivo…it was close but Rolfe was onside
Rolfe – offsides but no call. Oh well
why does conway insist on coming out on these corner kicks that are too fast and far from him.
this team came from space where the heck did they learn to play with heart and determination.
Are there more than five hundred people in the crowd?
Wolyniec is so retarted when it comes to being creative lol
Woly’s doing his thing today!
I was wondering if that was really Pacheco with the little kid haircut.
does anybody know why mbuta doesn’t get any playing time on the right flank?…im tired of ubi playing out of position…or playing in general…does mbuta suck in practice? is he hurt?
If anyone wants to see how Onyewu is doing:
http://www.justin.tv/streamfootball/popout
http://www.justin.tv/kayfan_tv/popout
still looking for something better and English thou
does anybody have a feed?
Anyone know of a link for the game?