Photo by ISIphotos.com
BY MIKE NASTRI
A mark of a playoff caliber team is to win despite not playing the best soccer. The New York Red Bulls showed exactly that against FC Dallas on Saturday night.
The Red Bulls came out flat and uninspired in the first fifteen minutes of the game. It cost them a goal in the tenth minute as Dax McCarty was left wide open on a Heath Pearce cross.
"We played very, very poor on the first 10-15 minutes," said head coach Hans Backe. "We looked really paralyzed and it was only a matter of time before they scored the first goal. The next 15-20 minutes I think we responded rather well, the way we played and broke the line."
This was not the way the Red Bulls wanted to start coming off a loss the week before. But the Red Bulls showed poise under their new head coach and settled down for the rest of the first half. After a flat start in 2009, the Red Bulls would never be able to rally back.
After the early flurry by FC Dallas, the 2010 Red Bulls did settle down and created some chances of their own including a Juan Pablo Angel goal called back due to offside.
FC Dallas would take the reigns again to start the second half, but Bouna Coundoul was up to the task. Coundoul made a couple of highlight reel stops, allowing the Red Bulls to stay in the game.
"He was by far the Man of the Match," said Juan Pablo Angel. "He made some impressive saves for us and I'm delighted for him-the way he bounced back."
"He was on tonight," added Tim Ream. "It was Bouna Time as we like to say. His footwork was great, his positioning was great and the saves he made, he saved us. When we needed him to come up big, he came up big."
Joel Lindpere once again displayed his importance to the Red Bull midfield using his skill to get past a defender inside the box and slipping the ball to a much more active Angel for the goal. There are two positives to take away from this goal.
Lindpere continues to show that he can be a consistent work horse in the midfield, something the Red Bulls haven't had in some time. Angel's confident finishing and ability to find a seam to get open proved that Angel is starting to come back to form after recovering from injury.
"I am full of confidence in what I can do and if the ball gets into the box I know I am capable enough to put some of them away," said Angel.
With the match tied, Coundoul once again had to come up with a few key saves. Coundoul rebounded nicely after a rough match against Chivas USA last week. The Senegalese keeper played the role of hero for the Red Bulls.
"He rebounded well I must say, he was absolutely top class today," added Hans Backe. "His saves on the line, he blocked shots and you can't play better in a way."
Goalkeeper was a position that was a big question mark in the off season. Coundoul, despite some blips here and there, has proven he can handle the load so far for New York. If Coundoul can continue to make key saves and play more confidently, the Red Bulls can concentrate on other needs to improve their team over the summer.
But this already improving Red Bull team had to overcome a few more obstacles to earn the three points. After Mac Kandji drew a PK at the top of the box in the 65th minute, Juan Pablo stepped up to the spot with the chance for his second of the game. However, Dario Sala was up to the task making the diving save to his right.
The Red Bulls hiccuped on a golden opportunity to steal a win at Red Bull Arena. Cue a key contribution from a much deeper 2010 Red Bulls bench. Sinisa Ubiparipovic drew an errant tackle at the corner of the box and a second PK for the Red Bulls. Angel wouldn't be stopped on his second PK, blasting the ball upper ninety for game clinching goal in the 90th minute.
The final result, the 2-1 victory, was the most important thing to take out of this game. On a night when the Red Bulls didn't have their best effort, they were still able to come away with points. This is a promising sign that the 2010 Red Bulls can grind out victories and have players that make plays with the game on the line.
"It was a very difficult game for us and today, it was only about the result," said Angel. "Sometimes, you play well and don't get results and today, we played not as good as we wanted to bu managed to get the three points."
REINFORCEMENTS COMING FOR NY
Brian Nielsen should be cleared to play for the next match against the Union on Saturday. He will primarily be used at left midfielder but, can also be used as a second forward.
"When you play away against the big teams and you probably need to defend a bit more, he's a second striker with a lot of pace and is very good on the ball," said Backe.
Luke Rodgers still hasn't received his visa, but Backe said midweek that he expects this to happen soon. Rodgers is speedy forward that will could be a nice combination with Angel.
Both Nielsen and Rodgers will provide some speed for a team that lacks true pace besides Dane Richards.
ROBINSON MAKES DEBUT
Carl Robinson got his first 32 minutes of the 2010 MLS season on Saturday and looked pretty good. Robinson had a few very nice sliding challenges in midfield. Robinson also displayed his passing touch on a great ball to the back post off a set piece. Ubiparipovic couldn't get a clean touch on what could of been the game clinching goal.
UPCOMING MATCHES
The team is in first place in the Eastern Conference and have a winnable game against the expansion Philadelphia Union on Saturday afternoon. The Red Bulls will also play the Union again four days later at Red Bull Arena in a U.S. Open Cup play-in game.
Hilarious 🙂
We’re gonna have to cover Angel in bubble wrap to keep him intact going against ‘Phillthy’. Dirtiest players I’ve seen in a while.
oscar, if you meant to say that FC Dallas created more chances and had a better flow of play, then sure. But is it luck to acquire a goalkeeper who can keep the ball out of the net, to have defenders like Ream who won’t trip somebody in the box when they’re beat, and “best” to have a striker (Cunningham) who can’t finish on a nearly open net? These are all part of winning and having a good team.
Confused. Sala is bigger and out of focus so you’d think he’s closer to the camera than Angel. But I think I see Angel’s foot passing in front of Sala’s arm? ?
(SBI-It’s an optical illusion. Angel’s foot is behind Sala, but the pattern of Sala’s glove sincs perfectly with Angel foot to make it look like its his whole foot. Interesting visual.)
Are there concerts before/after games? That sounds like a great idea. I understand that FCD are desperate to fill their stands, but having dogs barking and pissing all over the place doesn’t seem like a good move. I would love to see the stands full, more than anything else, but this FO doesn’t seem to know what a proper sporting atmosphere is.
DC are a joke this season and Philly still struggled against them. Philly is the most undisciplined team I’ve ever seen.
If Dallas was really the better team, they would have put the ball in the back of the net more than once. RBNY’s players — including Coundoul, Angel, Lindpere and Ream — were better than theirs and that’s the way it goes.
Jealous? RBNY has the wealthiest owners, the best stadium, the best DP, the best broadcast team and the best soccer writers, including Ives.
FINISH HIM!!!!
no dan, DCU HAS ben pushovers. They’re anemic on offense and are leakier than a bottomless canoe on defense.
yea, I noticed that after the fact, but my comment still stands.
I meant that as a compliment though. If he could write a short story for a major NY paper for each game, it would increase media attention for NYRB and MLS in general since the New York media can make big waves.
I have noticed a slight increase in media coverage for NYRB in the NY area. And not just for their new stadium, but for play. They actually do game updates/scores on WFAN so that’s good. The next step is to get a back page. But it’s very hard with Yanks/Mets, NHL playoffs, Lebron-watch, Tiger, etc….
My comment had nothing to do with who wrote the article..Occasionally Ives gets teased for being a NYRB fan and I was just funning with Holyfanboy….oh forget it
Ives: You’re correct that Red Bull should beat Union, but DC United weren’t exactly pushovers. I think if Union can avoid dumb decisions and red cards, they should be competitive.
This is a weird start to the season. If we are 4 games into the season–3 at home–and have 2 or 3 points…there is no moral victory in that. Tough schedule is tough, but it feels like we need a win on Thursday to avoid a pit like last year.
At least Mavericks fans might have some consolation…between the demise of the Spurs, the UT basketball meltdown and the McCoy injury, I only have that Eagles’ victory to hold on to at this point.
read the by line please…by Mike Nastri
Ives didn’t even write this article.
Mr. Ives needs to admit FC Dallas were unlucky to get a result. Red Bulls were seriously outplayed most of the night but in soccer, tbe best team does not always win.
Careful…Ives can get a little irked when anyone associates him with his favorite team
This site should be renamed–> NYRB By Ives
Unfortunately in this country that is something the teams almost have to do to try and bring out the casual fan then he/she enjoys themselves and comes back. Dallas appears to have a fun team. You should support them and ignore the dogs. there probably won’t be many. As a DC fan I have really enjoyed their concert series featuring local DC bands. Not cheesy and a way to attract the casual soccer fan.
yea, that is bush league. That’s just as bad as having cheerleaders for soccer games
IVES, you should write the Red Bull’s game stories for the local paper(s) here in the NJ/NYC srea. Perhaps the NY Daily News. I feel as though the soccer writing leaves a lot to be desired.
Dallas need an actual target man or lone striker that can operate in a 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2 because Jeff Cunningham can’t do that position. His goal scoring streak was impressive last season, but it wasn’t going to last forever and he needs someone up there to help him deal with the back line.
OK, nevermind. I won’t be there this Thursday. Its bring your dog night.I couldn’t have heard a more idiotic idea in my life! Mickey Mouse BS is the only thing I can say.
Great recap and great to see RBNY win a game that looked lost. That hasn’t happened since I don’t know when.
Bouna was definitely the man of the match, although JPA should have ended up with 4 goals when it was all over. Then again, FCD should have had 4 or 5 as well. Crazy game but exciting and good result for RBNY.
If Bouna could put these performances in each week he would be worth millions, but no one ever knows which Bouna will show up. That’s why there’s always the Bouna enigma in NY. That alone can keep a team from making the Championship game.
It sure is hard to remain an FCD fan these days. I’ll make the drive out to PHP this Thursday hopefully to see them get their first win of 2010. They don’t really get any love from SBI, but they haven’t been deserving of any praise as of late.
lol I know right?!?!?!
Angel: ” **** YOU ‘SALAD’!!!!”
now thats a pic for a future tifo!!!
I am laughing too hard…that picture looks so phony…what is going on?
That pic is awesome. It looks like JPA is about to ninja pwn a much larger, blurrier opponent.