In tears, as usual? But seriously, with both Atlanta and TFC losing badly yesterday, I'm going to say the prognosticators really don't know anything. What I do know is that both Davis and Adams will all have to step it up this year. They are the veterans of the central midfield. Additions like Kaku and Rzatkowski will certainly be key as well. But the backline should be better, BWP looks like he's still up to the task, our wingers are very good, and even Rivas looks useful as a late game, hard-charging sub up top. But no predictions. Assuming the team doesn't up and sell Adams in the summer [knock on wood], this is a playoff caliber team, and considering how little the regular season matters, I'd have to say they've got a good 4-5 months to gel.
Impossible for me to tell until I see how Parker fits with them. On paper it’s good, but CB pairings don’t always work out for whatever reason. Need to see a few games first. IF he’s the real deal though and IF we stay relatively healthy...well I don’t want to say it cause I don’t want to jinx it, but I feel really really RIDICULOUSLY good.
Indeed, there are a lot of "ifs," but that's the way it is with lots of teams. It looks like Atlanta is mainly going to try outscoring opponents and hope Guzan can hold down the fort. For NYRB, they have addressed their two main areas of need, improving central defense, adding a quality playmaker. Honestly, my biggest concern is that certain key vets stay healthy and in form. With the early load of CCL games, the MLS season may once again get off to a rough start. The extra games should be good to sort out chemistry for the starters and gave some of the subs like Etienne a chance to shine.
I think it all depends on the CCL. If we do well there it might knock onto MLS. I always believed we needed to win the CCL or USOC before we get the confidence to win the league. We have better depth than we use to, we just need to stay healthy and rotate. I hope Etienne or Rivas or even Bono can prove to be capable understudies for BWP, we have to manage his workload.
It was a chilly night at the Arena, but was very much warmed by the team's performance. The starting line-up was pretty solid, and showed flashes of pizazz, including Ben Mines flashing run at the far post to put the good guys up 1-0. It's hard to believe that probably half the starters would be expected to mostly play on Red Bulls II this season, they looked really good against a veteran MLS side.
Saw the highlights and the kids looked great. We will have a whole new outfield team on Tuesday with no travel and a chance to move on to the CCL semis.
This is a fast start for a notoriously slow starting team. Marsch may have hit something by adding you g players who don't care about history. Long season but most positive start in a long time. This is CCLand .MlS combined. Also the Felipe trade seems to me on be bad based on early returns Looks like we do have loads of midfield depth
Not really the team we’ll see most of the season but great to get the youngsters minutes. Impressed by them. Portland is in for a long year but props to TA for the numbers they brought last night.
Even without his goal, I thought Mines was fantastic. No fear on the dribble. Had never heard of him prior. Love the early confidence from this team.
Few people have, its hard to believe he hasn't been in the YNT picture, but despite his stellar play on RBII and in the Academy he seems largely unknown.
Somewhat related to season thread, sorry if sightly off topic, but this is the first season since RBA opened that I haven't been a season ticket holder. I'm away almost every weekend, so didn't make financial sense for me as literally there are only 2 matches I know I can go to (Wednesdays). My plans changed this past weekend last minute so I checked ticketmaster on my way to the match and they had $18 and $20 tickets available. I figured I'd go to the ticket windows at stadium and save myself the ticketmaster blood money fees. But there, I was told they only have $35 ones left. Checked my phone, and still plenty of $20 sections available. Bought online +$5 fee. Such a scam! I'll just buy from secondary markets in future.
It may be the lanky white kid aspect but all I saw (based on limited highlights) was Eddie Haven MK 2.
Heard it was a weird game. Hey guys, I only got Fire TV, so if the game isn't on Fox or ESPN, how do I watch it?
MSG Go app works for any Spectrum cable customers. Figured that out for last 15 mins of match. Weather looked miserable. Stupid PK to give up 4 minutes in on a poor free kick.
another great showing by a B+ Red Bulls team. Most enjoyable win with a Zlatanesque goal by BWP. Check the highlight reel. Parker/Long solid. Muyl with a stunner. Valot a little quiet but, his midfield buddies took control. I may trek from Suffolk county to a game or two. Oh, and Robles...ageless.
Parker and Long are becoming the CB combo of shrewd soccer operations benchmark. One brought in via trade of a quality player made expendable through smart acquisitions and young player development and the other the product of good scouting, player development and the Development side, managed well through introduction and development by the head coach.
Love the Long-Parker duo, both cover a lot of ground and control the middle on headers, with Long a little better technically, but Parker more of a no-nonsense defender, both have their virtues. The team had a rough start, with Lade and the central midfield especially struggling early. I'll give Minnesota credit, they are lightning quick, especially on the counter, keeping the ball on the ground and moving with speed. They should be a lot more successful this season. NY were a bit lucky not to give up at least one goal, the one shot off the crossbar, exhibit A. The D doesn't give up as many easy chances, but when they do break it tends be a big one, but Robles has so far handled those well. Once the midfield got some better shape, and started pressing, they controlled the game, and everybody took their chances well. Muyl looked a lot sharper last night, if he keeps this up it will be much harder for someone like Etienne to supplant him. I'm still wondering why Kaku wasn't even on the roster, let alone on the field against the Loons.