New York Red Bulls vs LA Galaxy - Sun-10/30 Western Conf. Semi-Final Playoff Game #1 [R]

Beat LA.

 

Solli out due to red card.

Rodgers presumably back.

McCarty out due to injury?

 

------------Rodgers---------
-----Henry------------------
Lindy------------------Richards
-------Tainio---Marquez------
Miller-----Ream----Keel-----Mendes

We played well against LA few weeks ago, but they were down some players. I don't believe Donovan is at full strength. Loss of Solli is pretty troubling, but Mendes is a reliable player.

Not sure about the right side with the above formation, but can't justify taking Richards off pitch, or putting Rafa at right back.

Its going to be an awesome afternoon!

 

Just bought my tickets. Can't wait.
Weather is going to be great in the high 50's but Sunny.
Go Go Red Bulls.

 

Here is the understatement of the thread.

 

We also drew away at full strength.

There is no reason to be scared of LA.

They are used to getting a lead and sitting on it. If we score early and put them on the back foot we have a great chance of winning this series.

 

It sounds as though Albright is out for the season.

I wish they'd bump this back an hour or two for the Giants game, but I suppose I can run two TVs at once.

Bench drops to 3 options (Auvray, Ballouchy, Agudelo) if Rodgers is ready to go and if he isn't, it potentially drops to only two.

How is this team going to compete if it ever qualifies for the CCF champions league when we cant keep under the cap with even marginal depth? Are we just going to throw those games like the US Open cup?

 

Yeah Nielsen came back for 4 minutes of play and all of a sudden is gone again.

I tell you, i'd like to have a kid like Da Luz as an option right now. Guys like Paullo and Coundoul should probably be cut after this year, but its still going to be hard to build a deep team, while making our starting 11 better.

 

I know. I am not fearing. When RBNY is at or near full strength, there is no reason to fear any team in the league, but missing LD and Robbie Keane is like saying the Red Bulls were missing a few players in June.

 

Maybe Da Luz would be helpful, maybe not.

Most people on these boards have done nothing but trash Soler and Backe (and players like Ballouchy, McCarty, Rost, Marquez etc) but the fact is we are about to host a winnable home playoff game.

The players that most have been touting all year (Ream, Agudelo) have come up pretty short. Ream almost ended our season last night.

Perhaps Backe has more brains than people give him credit for.

 

We're going to host one playoff game this year and you're not going to be at it?

 

Second leg: Thursday, November 3, 11:00 pm ET
TV: ESPN2 * played at LA

Over time if no combined goal winner from totals of both games

 

what kind of result would set us up well for the away leg?

Obviously its critical that we win. But I would say a 0-0 draw is next best result.

 

MLS does not use away goals, FYI.

 

Any kind of lead since...

LA grinds out results. They haven't been a fun and gun team this year (although anything is possible).

A 1 goal lead is good. A 2 goal lead would be great. The only way we lose to LA with a 2 goal lead is if Red Bull pulls a boner like last year.

Going into LA with a tie score gives them the advantage obviously.

 

I didn't realize this...thanks

Keane, beckham, and Donovan are all listed as questionable. I think it is a lock that Beckham plays; but would not be surprised at all if Keane and/or Donovan can't go.

 

If i had to guess, Donovan plays and Keane does not.

 

Seems logical. The Bruce will play for the tie in NJ and the win at home.

 

That's my thinking. Donovan may play, but I would bet he doesn't start.

Interesting stat: Titi has made more appearances than Donovan this season with 26 (all starts) to Donovan's 23 (21 starts).