Good show this week. I think you are dead wrong about Michael Bradley, but otherwise, good stuff. Take away the PK tackle, who played better than him against Brazil? Red Bull comments are an sketchy too. We have some good difference making talent. We are clearly just coasting now waiting for the playoffs. It's hard to judge what you are seeing now and what you might see post season. I think they are a wait and see myself. They look awful and have for quite a while now, but this is MLS. October is make or break time, not summer and early fall.
The Red Bulls have no aspirations of qualifying for SuperLiga? At one point they had a shot at the Supporter's Shield also. They don't care about these things?
They did have a shot at those things. At some point you realize you are not playign well enough to earn those spots and start preparing for the things you can still earn. Would it make sense to kill ourselves trying to catch DC and NE when thats probably not going to happen OR rest, get healthy and get ready for a chance to win the league? I bet Bruce is looking towards the latter.
The Red Bulls finished in 4to place last year. It can be that they finish the same this year. But they spent much more and expected much more this year.
True. I am one of those that was expecting more myself. I think Bruce underachieved this year. Still, at this point in the season, the best way to change that opinion is to make some noise in the playoffs. Isn't it? It would be a mistake the press the gas down on the peddle now. Why rush Jozy back? Let him heal. Why not give Clint a week off to lick his wounds? How about Claudio, get him fresh for the playoffs or push the envelope in these end of the season matches? JPA is banged up a bit too. Push it or let him rest a little? Should we rush Dema back or let him gradully work himself back into the picture? To make a run at the SuperLiga spots we'd have to rush back or overplay the above key players. Doesnt it make more sense at this point to surrender the rest of the season to a degree and prepare for the matches that will tell the tale of the season? To me it does. Play the odds and roll the dice in the playoffs.
I might have missed this. Has MLS outlined its criteria for qualification for next years edition of the SuperLiga?
Top four clubs points wise in the league, IIRC. Right now: DC United 46 points New England Revolution 42 points Houston Dynamo 42 points Chivas USA 40 points Dallas is 1 point out, RBNY is 4 points out.
Chivas are 2 matches behind RB and Dallas 1. 4 points behind for RedBull, but its not really close. Still a chance though.