Pre-PBP-Post Game Thread : NY Red Bulls @Vancouver Whitecaps - March 8th, 7:30 PM. MSG2

LEGO!!!!!!!

 

I don't see Henry or Olave starting, probably not playing at all. Cahill will definitely play though.

----BWP---Cahill----
Steele--Peguy---Alexander
---------Dax----------
Convey-Arm-Sek-Kimura

 

Is Eckersley injured?

 

No idea what's going on with Eckersley, everybody seemed to think that he was a clear upgrade to Kimura and he hasn't been injured, yet he's barely played this preseason. I was really hoping he'd be ready to take the starting spot in week 1, but going by the preseason minutes my assumption is that Petke sticks with who he knows best.

Same thing with Convey really, although we at least were told that he had a chest cold that was keeping him out. All I know is that I don't want Kimura on the left side ever again, I've never seen a professional player wander so aimlessly around the field as Kimura does when he plays on the left side. Its really strange because fullbacks usually have no trouble playing the opposite side, but Kimura goes full on deer-in-headlights when he plays on the left.

 

Looks good considering. Would like to see Sam though, but opener on the road is an ok time to be slightly defensive/conservative. We could see 4 different starters come next week IMO. Can't wait!

 

Quick question for you Red Bull fans, when Olave is playing which CB drops for him? Will it be Armando-Olave?

 

At the moment it would most likely be Sekagya who starts alongside Olave when everyone is healthy. But Armando did play well in the preseason, its definitely possible that he'll earn the spot over the course of the season.

 

How was Miazga in the preseason?

 

Interesting lineup! Will it play like a 4-4-1-1 perhaps? I'm intrigued

 

is the game televised in NY ?

 

MSG2

 

https://twitter.com/MSGNetworks/status/442451278442926080/photo/1 lists what channel MSG2 is.

Robles, Eckersley, Sekagya, Armando, Convey, Sam, McCarty, Alexander, Steele, Cahill, and Luyindula are the Red Bulls' starters. Meara, Miazga, Kimura, Miller, Bover, Akpan, and Wright-Phillips are on the Red Bulls' bench.

Edit: Convey is tied for 46th on the USMNT cap list.

 

Not liking the Spanish Statue so far. And now he gets a yellow

 

So...

 

Best striker and best defender out because of turf, 3 out of the 4 defenders brand new to the team, and Petke rolls out the wrong starting lineup...

 

That defense has only been Petke coached for 2 months (6 or so in Sekagya's case). I thought Convey was solid on both sides of the ball tonight and Olave will be back next week. I've got a gut feeling that despite his rough debut, after a few weeks we'll be glad we have Eckersley.

Midfield didn't do their share of defending tonight, except for maybe Dax.

 

I thought Eckersley cost us a lot (didn't he miss most of the preseason hurt?). Should have had Kimura out there.

We'll be better with Henry and Olave, but still...very discouraging start. I really think we need an impact signing.

 

I liked Armando for the most part. Most disappointed with Luyindula and I was a big champion of his last year. Liked what Miller added as well. Petke's plan didn't work. Our two "strikers" were rarely up top. When BWP came on it was a huge change for the better, because at least we had someone aiming at goal.

Not sure about the hand ball call. Probably would have lost significantly regardless, but it didn't set things off in the right direction. The second goal was also impressive. Going down two to zero like that sucks. Oh well.

Question, Sam seemed to be playing on the left near the end. What was with that? Did we have Miller, Convey and Sam all on the left at the end?

Finally, despite the scoreline, the defense was better than I expected and I felt they were the best on the ball other than McCarty and much of the attack came from the back. Convey, even when he was on defense got forward a bit as did Eckersley.

I got up at 5am to watch a replay over here in the UK. Couldn't stay up, so tired, but then kept waking up antsy to know what happened. I'm not as discouraged as the scoreline would imply, but a bit discouraged nonetheless.

 

The middle was very weak. They could barely string 3 passes together. And that should include Luyindula, despite where he was playing in name. Cahill was just absent as should have obviously been expected by Petke. Wright-Phillips definitely should have started. I did like Sam's effort though.

 

I have concern on defense with Spanish Statue and Manchester Kid looking awful in my eyes. This team without Olave playing worries me. Seems like we are two different teams totally when he plays and when he doesn't.

 

I think Armando looked great. Eckersley not yet, but we know he'sQ more talented than Kimura. Just give it time.

 

But yes, Olive is a must. I'd rather he be paired with Armando than Sekagya. But in any case I'm not worried. Everyone was wrong about the so called Statue too. Regardless, even with Olive we would've definitively lost. He would have been able to do nothing on the first two goals. I'm more concerned with an aging offense. At least Espindola was energetic. Watching him play for DC showed me the energy we lack. Of course he didn't do much for DC.....

 

wow red bulls need a young striker.. The strikers we have are slow and old smh