http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/redbulls2.php?article_id=33584 Good move by management to give STH's free tickets to this match. And $10 for any more they decide to buy, and for the supporters members. And at $15 for the general public? Awesome. Petke on how serious they will take this match: http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/redbulls2.php?article_id=33587
Hopefully the squad can do some scouting on the opponent. I remember last year the team we lost to had some speedy wingers who torched us which is embarrassing really. Our depth is the best it's been in years so there should be no excuse.. -------Espindola--Akpan Lade--Christensen--Alexander--Sam or Bover Kimura--Pearce--Diago--Barklage ----------Meara/Hartman/17yr old -Moreno as a half time sub for Espindola. I would like Espindola to get a rest this Sunday vs Columbus -Bover/Sam in for Sam/Bover -Sub in for Alexander Our offense will be a problem as none of the guys up front will have any cohesion with eachother. Might not be a bad idea to start Sam as a forward as well next to a high work rate guy like Akpan.
Potential injury concerns: I haven't seen any reports of Christianson returning to training after his foot injury, which seemed serious at the time. Akpan was taken out of training with a hamstring injury last week, they have not released his status yet. Bover has a lower back strain from training that has kept him off the field. Moreno is also currently with the US U-20's and won't be available in time.
Oh, I think you and Deuteriumoxide got me wrong. I mean, I don't think we will be the best or even top 3 in Soccer in this century at least (meh, who knows?) but I do believe 100% that the Red Bulls can have one of the best soccer Academies in the world, maybe even top 3 (with Arsenal of course ). What I meant though was that when people talk about Barcelona's Academy they talk about it as if every player in that Academy has a 90% chance of playing for the Barcelona first-team and that every youngster will be a world-class one. That is technically wrong, many Barca youngsters have moved on and now it seems that more and more are moving out each season but that will never happen here in New York. We will never produce a starting 11 in MLS in which all the 11 players (well, maybe 8 to be realistic) will be from our Academy. Look at Arsenal FC, our Academy is considered the best in England by many but I can confidently say that out of the current 2012-13 U21 batch that only 3 players have a chance (Serge Gnabry, Chuba Akpom, and Hector Bellerin). Hell, the 2009 FA Youth Cup winning Arsenal side has only produced 1 actually regular for Arsenal. The rest have either left or are hanging on by a thread. That is what I meant. tl;dr: Basically, The New York Red Bulls can have the top 3 Academy in the world but it will never do a "Barcelona" and have all Academy players as first-team world class guys.
Also, has there been any mention whatsoever about the game being streamed or aired on MSG? I have a tough time getting to weekday games.
If we win, we play either the Revs or Rochester away. http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2013/05/lamar-hunt-us-open-cup-fourth-round-pairings-revealed
Better just put a decent team on the field. No reason we can't win the Cup if we field decent teams. Cup, shield, league? I have faith.
To be honest I'd expect mostly our bench and some reserve players with some starters sprinkled in. Petke has already confirmed Digao will play, and its a safe bet that anybody who is over 30 or injury prone will not play. For this round at least that should be enough, we're playing a PDL on our own pristine grass surface, zero excuses for even the very back end of our roster not to get the job done in this situation.
When I say decent team, I mean a team that is coming out to compete. I don't expect Henry or that type, unless it was a sub later on for reasons that shouldn't even happen. It shouldn't be all reserve guys.
I think you are both right (bench playing, decent team.) Which is a first ever for this club!! Anyway, I'll be there in person, so if they screw it up, they will get an earful!
Okay guys, just chill. Maybe I do have a soft spot for him. But despite injuries and a knucklehead past, he is very talented. Sparing you your bona fides, I'd venture to guess there aren't many players his age outside of MLS who have more potential. Someone could well take a flier on him. Give him some reserve matches and see if he can settle. And that's all I mean. I'm not saying he should be starting for the Red Bulls tomorrow.
Anyway, back to the game next week, I think we're going to be able to put a solid team from the bench on and still dominate. Pearce leading the centerbacks, Juninho the midfield, Lade, Barklage, Akpan, and if we throw in either Meara or Hartman, we have 6 MLS starters on the field. I'm hoping we don't put any of the starting 11 out there, because I think we have enough depth and reserve talent to get the job done anyway. I don't expect to ride this team to the cup final either. At this stage, it makes sense. But, as we progress, we need to take it serious and put an appropriately strong team out there for each match. Notice the word appropriately, which is why I posted we can use bench and reserves for the PDL boys.
Yeah, I just read that. Shame. Maybe Peggy can start by then, if he's held back Sunday against Columbus.
Bummer about Akpan, he's been tearing up reserve sides so he could have been useful in these cup games. Petke originally said there was almost no way Peguy would be ready until after the June break and he's already out of the Columbus game, and Moreno is with the US U-18s.... There's also very little chance of anyone over the age of 30 or with an injury history to play... Espindola and Rafinha up top? Rafinha had some bright moments during the preseason, plus can he really be worse than Johnny Arteaga.
Our whole damn Open Cup team is on the injury report for Columbus... OUT: Akpan, Bover, Christianson, Digao, Luyindula Christianson must have seriously messed up his foot, he's been on the sidelines all season.