For the first time in recent memory, I watched a New York Red Bulls soccer match on TV from start to finish – willingly – and enjoyed it. Saturday night’s entertaining match at Qwest Field between the Seattle Sounders and the Red Bulls revealed both the evolution and the potential of the MLS – an attractive display of soccer, good pace, end to end action, fun stadium atmosphere, technical ability – elements that have been missing in New York for a long time in the tormented, brief history of our local club.
The team is not drastically different than last year, but what has changed evidently is the culture at the club with the arrival of Austrian Sporting Director / General Manager Erik Soler and Swedish Coach Hans Backe. The players seem energized and focused, having responded well to the new system. Three matches into the 2010 campaign (including Santos) gone seems the hesitancy, confusion, timidity or lack of imagination that characterized last year’s team. There is now a sense of purpose, a cohesive formation that seems to be jelling nicely.
Two 1-0 wins to start the season are hardly sufficient for a definitive pronouncement, but last year Chicago and Seattle would not have had problems with the Red Bulls. Including the Santos match, a few players have impressed early on, in particular the goal-keeper Bouna Coundoul, midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic, young defender Tim Ream and midfielder Joel Lindpere, the Estonian newcomer. The right and left backs, Jeremy Hall and Roy Miller, have looked more than reliable thus far and have plenty of upside with excellent work rate and quickness. Mike Petke is the defensive anchor, an intelligent player who makes up for his limited athleticism with toughness and an excellent sense for the game. Tim Ream plays with remarkable maturity and confidence, considering he has just entered the league – he should model himself after Barcelona’s Gerard Pique. These back four, together with veteran defender Chris Albright coming back from injury, should grow together solidly as a unit.
The Red Bulls’ season will go as far as its midfield takes it. Dean Richards is an excellent player. Creative and fast, he has not demonstrated his potential yet, but he is explosive and will take over games at times. Joel Lindpere has surprised with his tremendous work rate and ability to come forward, showing a knack for the goal. Sinisa Ubiparipovic is the team’s most technical player. He has shown great vision and touch so far. With the arrival of Welshman Carl Robinson to complement Stammler and Borman, the team has a good mix and depth.
There is room for improvement up front. In Seattle, the Red Bulls’ least effective player was captain Juan Pablo Angel, who seems to have returned from injury too soon. This is great news for the Red Bulls. Angel will be back to his excellent self before long, while Macoumba Kandji looks better than last year. Kandji scored the winner in Seattle and is still developing, but if the summer arrival of Thierry Henry is truly inevitable, the Red Bulls will have enough to avoid struggling for goals.
Credit is due to the club’s new leadership and to a fantastic implementation of the Red Bull Arena project. The new stadium looks good and best of all IT IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY TRAIN! For the first time in ten years I bought a season ticket mini-package. That’s because for the first time in a long while, there is legitimate reason to be excited about local soccer in New York.
Juan Pablo Angel and the Red Bulls look good in 2010