As the New York Red Bulls welcomed Colorado Rapids, there was a feeling the Red Bulls would have a good chance of extending their unbeaten streak, and they did.
Tonight’s 1-1 tie may have kept the Red Bulls unbeaten streak alive, but as Red Bull fans walk out of RBA, they have to be feeling that this tie felt more like a loss than anything else. After a performance like tonight’s, the glass has a half full thought of “We are still unbeaten” which serves of little consolation, as the Red Bulls log in their worst performance of the season thus far.
Red Bulls boss Marsch: Galaxy first half was our best of the season
Jesse Marsch told the media he only mentioned the words “trap game” once to his team in the run up to this game. Perhaps he should have mentioned it a a few more times as the Red Bulls came out flat against the Rapids tonight. Playing his 2nd game of 3 in a 7 day span, Marsch promoted 2 changes from this past weekend’s game against the Galaxy, Roy Miller came in for Kemar Lawrence, and Mike Grella started for Sal Zizzo.
Pablo Mastroeni’s men seemed to have had their lesson pretty well memorized as they pressed New York early, and looked to spring quick counters, as well as play deep balls behind New York’s high defensive line. In the 14th minute Badji found himself behind the New York defense, beating Damien Perrinelle on a foot race, his shot was saved by Luis Robles to prevent what could have been the Rapid’s first goal.
Ten minutes later Colorado would light up the scoreboard for the first time, following a perfectly executed free kick that landed behind New York’s defensive line, Gabriel Torres with a light enough touch put it past a helpless Luis Robles. It was the corollary of Colorado’s smart playing. The Red Bulls played a sloppy game in midfield and gave away possession cheaply, Colorado took advantage the best they could.
The Colorado goal seemed to have woken up the Red Bulls, as they increased their intensity, and started being more careful with possession in Colorado’s half. In the 29th minute Mike Grella found some room on the right side of Colorado’s box, and served a ball into the heart of the box, BWP couldn’t get to it, and Kljestan who had position on the ball was brought down by a Colorado defender, Mark Geiger pointed to the spot without hesitation. BWP converted.
It was a deserved goal for the Red Bulls and their game initiative, but the half wouldn’t finish without Badji once again getting behind the Damien Perrinelle and Matt Miazga, to give another scare to the home faithful. Robles would once again respond with a goal saving intervention, as he watched the ball still hit off the upright and over the end line. Mark Geiger pointed the players to the locker rooms, and Jesse Marsch would confirm what everyone had seen: the worst first half performance by the Red Bulls this season.
The Red Bulls came out for the second half determined to push for the go ahead, but again, sloppy play, and lack of passing sharpness, made the task more difficult. Mike Grella gave way to Sal Zizzo in the 64th minute, and shortly after Kljestan would bend a shot that met the crossbar. Mastroeni responded by introducing ex-Earthquake midfielder Sam Cronin for Gabriel Torres, in an attempt to close up Colorado’s midfield.
New York dominated possession, but could not create chances. Marsch introduced Dane Richards for Dax McCarty in the 73rd minute, but the Jamaican veteran brought very little to a struggling Red Bulls attack. With the last substitution both Mastroeni and Jesse Marsch sent in Dillon Serna and Anatole Abang, for Juan Ramirez and Lloyd Sam respectively, but subs were ineffective in creating results for their teams.
The game finished with a clear opportunity for Wright-Phillips, but last year’s Golden Boot, could not head the ball in the right direction, and missed the goal from close range, when Red Bull fans were ready to celebrate a late game winner.
After the final whistle 2 questions come up: did this Red Bulls team underestimated the Rapids? Or if they are feeling the effects of physical exertion following Sunday’s game against the LA Galaxy? The high pressing, high intensity style of New York may very well have its consequences, but this draw for New York reeks of lack of focus and over confidence.
Kljestan spoke about not drinking the power rankings “Kool Aid” following the San Jose game, and that may very well be, but tonight, this Red Bull team has to be unhappy about tonight’s performance, and despite remaining undefeated, the draw tastes a lot like a defeat.
This weekend the Red Bulls will travel to Foxboro to face Eastern Conference leaders New England Revolution, and they will need to get back on track if they are to remain not only undefeated, but also early season contenders.
Alfredo Fumacas
@talkingtodadoll
