New York Red Bulls vs Columbus Sat-June 4, 2011 at 7:30PM at Red Bull Arena - Game Thread [R]

Game will be on MSG!

Well after a win less May -- with 1 loss and 4 ties -- one would think the Bulls would be close to the bottom of the Eastern Conference but as the rest of the division has done poorly they are in 2nd. The Union are two points ahead of the Bulls with a game in hand. The Bulls now face the next month without 7 of their key players because of Nat team duty and because of injury so a few of the Baby Bulls will be called into action. Kassel and Da Luz played ok in their MLS debuts on Saturday but they will have to do better if the Bulls hope to break their win less streak. The good news is that next game is at home against a struggling Columbus squad. Hopefully this depleted Bulls team will have enough time to develop some chemistry. Here is my projected starting line-up baring injury vs Columbus:

Sutton
Kassel/Solli Tainio (if Mendes is out) Keel Miller
Kassel/Solli Ballouchy Lindpere Da Luz
Rodgers Henry

June and early July will be a tough for the BUlls. The first two games will be at home (vs. Columbus and NE) but then the next four games will be on the road with lots of travel: Portland 6/19, Seattle 6/23, Chicago 6/26, and San Jose 7/2. I would think the Bulls would stay out in the Pacific Northwest between the Portland and Seattle games. Will they go back home to NYC after this game? I think so (as Hans would say) but they may stay on the road for all 4 games without going home till after SJ. Hopefully this bunch of guys can come together like the Baby Bulls did last year.

I think the Bulls will win one maybe both of the home games during this period. If we can get 4-5 points out of the 4 road games it will be a miracle. So if we can get 11 points out of 6 these games that would be awesome. I'd be happy with anything 8 points or greater. How many points do you guys (and gals?) think the Bulls will earn during this 6 game stretch?

Henry get healthy.

I can't hope for more than that. Here is hoping

Here is the line up as I think it will be

No way Tainio is in defense

Sutton
Solli Keel Mendes (hoping) Miller

Ballouchy Tainio Lindpere Da Luz

Rodgers Henry

Subs- Kassel, Rooney, Coundoul, Lassitter, Hertzog, Schneider, Paullo (Oh are we thin right now with Albright and Nielsen also not available).

If both Henry and Mendes are out, we will be in trouble. Hertzog and probably Schneider would probably start.

I trust Keel now, and we can only hope Mendes's struggles this season has because of being played out wide instead of in the middle. We can't afford him to play as poorly as he did against Vancouver.

Da Luz looks skilled on the ball but I still have concerns about his pace, he seems a little sluggish. Kassel seemed ok on the right, I couldn't believe how close his volley came since it didn't look well hit right when it came off his boot. Would have been a wonderful debut! If we see Kassel I would imagine it would be at right mid and Solli at RB, like we saw in the second half tonight.

This is going to be a season long saga with him. No suprise.

And when Nielsen has been available?......

And when Nielsen has been available?......and this is his last year,of what...Idon't know....

Bouna is with the Senegal national team today and has an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game against Cameroon on Saturday.

prediction: we will give up a penalty kick due to a stupid defensive foul in the area, then we will be losing most of the game, struggling on offense, only to come back and tie in the final minutes.

Thats highly unlikely.

Inconceivable!

We managed to tie the Crew on the road with a lot of guys missing and our 3rd goalie so maybe we have a chance at picking up the three points at home. Think positively.

My worry is Tainio and Soli can't play in extreme hot temps like will see the next few months. Have these guys played in hot/humid temps like we are sure to see now and until september?

does any1 think the USA game will be shown at the stadium???? I guess I could go the one of the bars, but I'm wondering if they'll show it the stadium..

Referee: Niko BRATSIS
MLS Career Stats: 2 games, 3.0 Y/g, 0 R
MLS 2011: 2 games, 3.0 Y/g, 0 R
Assistant Referees: Craig LOWRY and Claudio BADEA
Fourth Official: Jorge GONZALEZ

All-time New York matches with Bratsis as referee:
FIRST MATCH

All-time Columbus matches with Bratsis as referee:
FIRST MATCH

According to the Match Notes:
"U.S. Men's National Team vs. Spain
The USA vs. Spain match to be televised inside Red Bull Arena! All fans are encouraged to arrive early to Red Bull Arena to catch the second half of the USA vs. Spain friendly live from Foxboro, Mass. Gates open at 5:30 PM for VIP/Bulls' Corner customers and 6:00 PM for the general public and the match will be broadcasted on all in-arena televisions. Join us in supporting Tim Ream, Juan Agudelo and the rest of the U.S. Men's National Team against the reigning World Champions, Spain!"

Anyone know of viewing parties for the US vs Spain game in Ironbound? Any recommendations?

+1!

So what lineup can we expect to see today??

-------Henry--Rodgers
-----------Lindpere
Ballouchy-----------Kassell/Rooney
-----------Taino
Miller--Keel---Mendes--Solli
----------Sutton


Or does backe try out Solli at RB again and put Mendes at RB? It wouldn't be a bad idea since they don't have any blazing winger or any talented offensive player for that matter. Rodgers is with the Nats and Gaven is only one man but I want to see what Kassell and Rooney at RM.

We could use a player like Nielson right about now...

I'm not worried about the Crew. They aren't the same since losing Schelloto. I think if we can avoid the almost predictable penalty give away, we'll win this game. Crew are a bunch of, well, read this for my opinion of them this year:

MLS Pregame Rant: RBNY vs Crew

The only big question i have is if we'll see John Rooney at all. Keel, Da Luz, Kassel and Hertzog got some time last week, so it will be cool to see some new faces out there on the home field.

Lineup looks about right unless Ballouchy is moved to RM and Da Luz given a go at LM

A Crew Blogger's Preview:

http://blackandgoldworld.wordpress.com/2011/06/04/red-bulls-quick-hitters/


All in good fun...

Anyone know the channel number on Dish Network for today's game? I can't seem to find it anywhere.

Thanks

Please call up Dish Network and politely ask them what channel the NY/Crew game will be on. If enough people call, they'll finally get the message that something is wrong.

Backe goes with an attack minded 352 according to MLSsoccer.com

.....Mendes........ Keel ........Millar
..........................Temio...............
Solli.......Ballouchy.......Lindpere...Du Luz
.............Rodgers..........Henry


Though I think it will be a 442 with Solli sliding back to right back but who knows.