It is one of the original MLS rivalries, this coming Sunday the Red Bulls and DC United will begin writing yet another chapter in their 20 year history as they open up the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Red Bulls will get their playoff run started after a memorable season that culminated with snatching their second Supporter’s Shield, while DC United hopes to carry the momentum generated in their comeback win against New England to get the upper hand on a team they haven’t been able to beat this season.
The New York Red Bulls have had arguably one of their most successful seasons this year. From the upheaval of the preseason, which included a town hall meeting where fans confronted team leadership, to a dream start of the season which saw the Red Bulls go undefeated in their first 7 games. The Red Bulls have found an atypical consistency to their season, the biggest question remains on whether they will be able to carry that consistency into the post season.
With the lowest payroll in the entire league, and without the big names the club has had in their past 19 seasons, Jesse Marsch has brought together a group of players which could very well be the definition of the “All In” term being used these days. Their playing style relies heavily on teamwork, and the Red Bulls are a reflection of teamwork turned into a single cohesive unit, which has brought them this season’s success.
D.C. United finished fourth in the East, and struggled at times to find a rhythm, truth be told, inopportune injuries didn’t help Ben Olsen’s side either. Nonetheless United was able to consistently tally points when needed, and held the lead in the East for a significant period of time, albeit having more games played than their Eastern Conference opposition.
While the Red Bulls may be the hotter, and favorite team in this match up, D.C. United’s post season record against New York is an impressive 7-2-2, but the Red Bulls have had the more recent success putting an end to DC United’s season in last year’s playoffs. During the regular season the Red Bulls won 2 games at home and tied one at RFK outscoring DC 7-2. Stats and numbers don’t usually play the game, but they do make for an intriguing match up between old foes.
Jesse Marsch will have his prototypical starting 11 healthy, rested and ready to go. Marsch has done very little meddling with his 11 from the start of the season, tweaking the line up only when needed. Ben Olsen on the other hand, has used 29 different line ups in 34 games. Coincidentally the man who has started all 34 games for Ben Olsen, Bobby Boswell, will be unavailable dues to a one game ban handed down by MLS, following a robust challenge on the Rev’s Juan Agudelo, in United’s previous playoff game against New England.
Keys for DC United
Chris Rolfe(10 goals) and Fabian Espindola(7 assists) are the most productive members of United, their performances will be a big factor in United’s success. Espindola, a former Red Bull, as yet to play the Red Bulls this season, he publicly stated he wanted to face the Red Bulls in the playoffs. The Red Bulls have struggled with speedy wingers and forwards who can get behind their defensive high line, neither Rolfe nor Espindola are those type of players, they will have to find other ways to exploit the Red Bull’s defense.
D.C. United’s defense will also be a key factor for United. Bill Hamid is one of the better keepers in the MLS, and could very well be the deciding factor in a game if he dials in. With the absence of Boswell for the first leg, Steve Birnbaum and Kofi Opare should be the central pairing in the heart of the defense, they will have to shutdown Wright-Phillips as well as keep the giveaways to minimum when the Red Bulls press high.
Kitchen and Halsti will need to be very disciplined in the midfield to limit the Red Bulls offensive transitions, and limit the spaces Sacha Kljestan plays in. They will be outnumbered in the midfield, keeping their shape defensively, and transitioning with quickness to DeLeon or any other outlet is crucial to be able to breakdown the Red Bulls high pressure.
Keys for New York Red Bulls
Miazga, and Perinelle have been pretty good all season shutting down high profile forwards on a handful of occasions, they will have to keep Espindola to limited space and time, while keeping an eye on the space allowed behind their back.
The Red Bull’s midfield trio has been a well oiled machine all season on both sides of the ball, their counter-pressure when not in possession will be crucial to shutdown DC’s ability to build. Sacha Kljestan set a club record for most assists this year, his involvement and influence in the Red Bull’s offense can very well tip the scales in the Red Bull’s favor.
Bradley Wright-Phillips wasn’t expected to equal last year’s goal tally this year, nonetheless his 17 goals can’t be undermined. What has been most impressive about the Red Bulls offense this season has been the involvement of both Lloyd Sam, and Mike Grella who have scored 10 and 9 goals respectively, and have deeply influenced the Red Bull’s best record in the MLS. All three will have to carry their form into the post season if the Red Bulls want to go deep into the playoffs.
The Red Bull’s may have the edge on paper, but 180 minutes will still need to be played to find out who will advance to the Eastern Conference finals. DC United may have not beaten the Red Bulls this season, but they can argue the playoffs is a new season. For the Red Bulls, they may have very well hit every point on their preseason road map so far, but if they are not able to go deep into the MLS playoffs, they will be right back to where they started.
