2011 Red Season Preview

The NY Red Bulls finished last season on a high and a low. The high was finishing 15-9-6 and winning the East. The low was the early playoff exit to San Jose. Coming into this season the pressure is all on second year coach Hans Backe as the expectations of the fans are that much higher; last year was a honeymoon period – where the expectations were that much lower. This year is different – anything less than a cup final appearance will not do.

With departure of Juan Pablo Angel, the question is - who is going to score the goals? One thing for certain – Henry is an automatic starter, but will he be able to score 14 goals or more?  The thing that everybody has been asking through the off-season is “Who will partner Henry?” There are all kinds of options. The most obvious one and the one that the fans have been campaigning to see is Juan Agudelo, but does Hans think the same way? We’ll get that answer when the season starts. Another option is that, if you listen to Shepp Messing, Luke Rodgers will get the start with Henri. The problem I have with that is that Luke Rodgers is unproven outside of Leagues 1 and 2 in England. The videos that have been seen of him show that he is fiery. Another option that Backe has is to put Henry up front with newcomer Corey Hertzog. I don’t see that happening. Although it is extremely unlikely he could also pair Henry up with Salou Ibrahim, but let’s face it, he is s-l-o-w. If you ask me, I have to agree with Shepp Messing. Backe will go with Rodgers.

This year the mid-field is deep, and there are many options. First off you have the return of last season’s team MVP, Joel Lindpere. As all RB fans know, he warmed everyone’s hearts by scoring the first ever goal in RBA history, and also scored the last goal of the regular season. He finished the season with three goals, but he crucial to the mid-field. You also have Mehdi Ballouchy, who is entering his first full season with the RBs. After starting out well he had a few bad games, and whether or not he is a fan favorite is up for discussion. There is also Tony Tchani. Entering his second season with the RBs, he is someone who seemed to play well alongside Rafa Marquez. Another mid-fielder (who could stand in as a striker if needs be) is Danny Richards. The speedy winger had an up and down 2010 season. The first half of the season was not good, but by the second half, after Henry arrived, he seemed to learn a lot, and he was able to cross a ball and would not be so predictable as to drive the fans nuts. Newcomer

Jan Gunnar Solli seems to be, from what I have been hearing, is a box – to – box player. One thing is certain; the entire  mid –field is going to have to give 100% in practice, as there are many choices, and somebody can be left on the bench. So, certain players, that used to be automatic, such as Danny Richards, are going to have to perform right from the start.

As I am typing this Metro Fanatic has reported that Teemu Tainio has signed with RBs. Tainio has played for a couple of EPL teams, including Tottenham Hotspur, and he has also played for Sunderland. He can play defense or in the mid-field. With this signing Chris Albright, entering his second full season with the RBs could be pushed to the bench.  There is also Tim Ream coming into his second full season he is someone that could of should of got the Rookie of the Year award. But as we all know, MLS decided to go with a player that was on a last place team. With the retirement of fan favorite Mike Petke, who is now in a coaching role, Rafa Marquez will be moved to the back, and will be playing alongside Tim Ream. Roy Miller is entering his second season. He had a mixed 2010 season; at times he was bad, and at times he was god. He will fight for playing time with South African Danleigh Borman.

The goalkeeping options are Bouna Coundoul. The South Ward fans like to chant “What time is it? Bouna time” Bouna had a good season in 2010, with 11 clean sheets. The one problem that Bouna was having was with kicking. At the start of the 2010 season we saw players such as Mike Petke and Tim Ream take the goal kick for him. It has been debated “Do we need a new goal keeper?” I don’t think so. For a back up we have Greg Sutton, another 2^nd yearer, but who could end up being the first choice. No thank you! If you ask me, the biggest concern right now on the goalkeeping front is who the hell is going to be our GK coach, with the firing of Des McAleenan who was recently fired for a real reason that has yet to be published.

My prediction for this season is that we will run away with the East, as it is very weak. We’ll be fighting it out for the Supporters Shield with the Galaxy. Do we win it?  Like all RB fans, I hope so! 

As for the Play-offs, let’s just hope we don’t screw it up. One thing for certain, 2011 promises to be another fun season at RBA. LET’S GO RED BULLS – WE WANT SILVERWARE!