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New York Red Bulls vs. RSL Game Preview
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Just shy of a year ago, 333 days to be exact, Real Salt Lake and the Red Bulls squared off in a playoff game at Rio Tinto to determine which team would advance to the finals of the MLS playoffs. No doubt that match was is the mind of the MLS matchmakers when scheduling a late season matchup between what looked to be two teams that would have a shot at winning the MLS Supporters’ Shield and the MLS cup. Within the course of a year the tides have shifted for both teams as the Red Bulls are guaranteed to finish last in Major League Soccer and RSL is in serious jeopardy of missing the playoffs.
The 2009 season has been a disaster for the Red Bulls who have only managed four wins in 28 matches, including one in the fifth week of the season against RSL. During the season the Red Bulls have seen the resignation of coach Juan Carlos Osorio and faced rumors that team technical director Jeff Agoos will be fired after the end of the season along with other front office changes. The one bright spot for the Red Bulls will be looking forward to moving to a new soccer specific stadium for the start of the 2010 season.
History
Though New York sits in last place in the league if history is a guide, a RSL victory may be hard to come by. Since RSL’s inaugural season in 2005, RSL has played New York ten times and have failed to register a single victory. Most recently RSL lost 2-0 to the Red Bulls in the fifth week of the season and few fans will forget the 1-0 loss to the Red Bulls at Rio Tinto in the MLS playoff semifinals last year.
Injuries and Suspensions
The good news for RSL fans is that Javier Morales, who was injured in the friendly versus Chivas Guadalajara, has been upgraded in the latest injury report from questionable to probable. Backup midfielder Ned Grabavoy, who was also injured in the game against Chivas, continues to be listed as questionable in the team’s injury report with a foot contusion. Robbie Russell and Nick Rimando are also listed as probable due to general illness and Fabian Espindola is also listed as probable as he copes with tightness in his hamstring.
In what appears to be an unusual occurrence for RSL based on the last several matches, RSL has no players suspended through red cards or yellow card accumulation. However, Nat Borchers, Clint Mathis, and Robbie Russell are in yellow card jeopardy and another yellow card from any of these players will lead to a one game suspension in their next match.
Formation
After starting the season playing a 4-4-2 formation, coach Jason Kreis switched the team to a 4-3-3 formation for the last half of the season in order to give RSL an extra forward. In the friendly against Chivas Guadalajara, RSL’s most recent match, RSL went back to a 4-4-2 formation and played an effective game which could sway Jason Kreis to return to the 4-4-2 for league play.
Prediction
Real will be well rested heading into the game and the players know anything short of a full three points would be a disaster. New York on the other hand has little to play for and must fly across the country to face Real, which bodes well for RSL. Both Jamison Olave and Nat Borchers are set to start in the central defense for RSL and when both players are available to start, RSL is very solid defensively and does not concede many goals. Expect a tight first 15 minutes from RSL as they regain their footing after an 18 day league layoff and then look for them to explode out the gates on their way to their first victory against the Red Bulls with a final score of 3-0.
Real Salt Lake and the New York Red Bulls square off Wednesday, October 14th at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy.
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