MLS Update: Red Bulls Bounce Back From Slow Start

After a 2-1 loss to FC Dallas followed by a 2-0 loss to Real Salt Lake, the Red Bulls had to have gone into their first home game of the season a little nervous.  One person that was not nervous was Hans Backe.  Manager, Hans Backe, in multiple press conferences he made it clear that in his years as a manager he knew not to stress this 0-2 start.  Seems as though he knew exactly what to do and what to say to his players.  As soon as the Red Bulls took off their Get Well Soon Muamba shirts that they wore out of the tunnel, they put their game faces on and came out hard.  Thierry Henry and Kenny Cooper both scored 2 goals within 6 minutes.  Both players scored 2 goals beating the Rapids 4-1, Cooper’s first goal of the night being his 50th MLS goal.  This is just the win they were looking for to try and jump start their season and begin climbing the table.

RM 

MLS Update: New York Red Bulls

Last Season Finish: 10th 

Points: 46

Record: 10-8-16

Top Scorer: Thierry Henry (15)

In: Kenny Cooper, Wilman Conde

Out: Luke Rodgers (Maybe), Tim Ream, John Rooney, Frank Rost, Carlos Mendes, Chris Albright, Bouna Coundoul, Sacir Hot, Matt Kessel

I am going to do my best to keep the Juan Agudelo talk to a minimal.  Agudelo needs to find a way into the starting XI.  With Kenny Cooper being added this off season he may be stuck in the same limbo especially if Luke Rodgers’ visa is approved sometime soon.  Hopefully, a good performance in the the Olympics, if ultimately selected, could propel him up the depth chart.  The Red Bull’s midfield has multitude of options anchored by the Estonian, Joel Lindpere.  The back line has lost many players over the past few months and the goalkeeper problems are continuing.  Coundoul’s and  Rost’s contracts were not extended.  Choosing to keep the controversial Mexico captain, Rafa Marquez could prove to be money wasted.  Last season his carelessness in the back lead to much havoc making Tim Ream’s season even longer and tougher then it already was.  As for an overview, they under performed for a team that has a midfield that challenges for the strongest in MLS as well as having one of the most prolific scorers to play in the EPL.  I anticipate the Red Bulls needing to score many goals this year to stay in the chase for the playoffs because of the lack of experience and depth in the back .  Hopefully we will see some great goals like we saw out of Agudelo and Lindpere this season.