BY ERIC GIACOMETTI
Funny how 90 minutes can change a fan base’s mood so drastically.
On the heels of a successful home stand that saw New York take seven out of nine points (along with the news of Tim Cahill’s arrival to MLS), the Red Bulls laid an absolute egg north of the border while still maintaining the slimmest of leads atop the East. With the season series against Montreal now complete, Meat Loaf may remind us all that two out of three ain’t bad… but I tend to disagree. Thanks to a second half that saw New York come out of the gates flat, the Impact built up a two-goal margin that proved too large a task to overcome.
Let this serve as a warning to all those who bestowed the MLS Cup upon this team after learning of Cahill’s impending arrival. Until I see the grounds crew at Red Bull Arena lining the pitch with 8.5 x 11’s, I frankly don’t care about the “best team on paper” talk. There’s so much more that goes into the formula that produces a championship team aside from sheer talent. And anyone who thinks that Cahill’s insertion into the CAM spot will remedy all of New York’s problems is in for a rude awakening.
If there’s anything that needs fixing, all eyes should be squarely fixed on the backline.
Now I’m not usually one to point the finger at any one individual player… usually. But I couldn’t help but be extremely disappointed by Jan Gunnar Solli’s performance in his return to the starting lineup. Optimists may chalk it up to rust from being out of the rotation for a few weeks, but I fear it may be something much worse. I’m afraid Markus Holgersson may become a very serious candidate for the right back position.
We all know Solli isn’t a natural defender, and his best attributes as a right back have always been in joining the attack and swinging in crosses. Yet I was still downright shocked to see how lost he seemed to be on the pitch. Perhaps his return to the midfield in recent weeks lead him to forget that he does indeed have defensive duties to attend to whilst at the right back position. And while the rest of the back four certainly share the blame in gifting three goals to the Impact, I can’t help but feel that Solli was completely out of sync with his fellow defenders. For the time being, Solli’s best bet may be pushing Sebastian Le Toux for a place in the starting lineup on the right midfield flank.
The return of Bradon Barklage and Heath Pearce to the starting XI will hopefully solve some of New York’s problems. And as good as Bill Gaudette has been, with Ryan Meara seemingly back at full health, you can bet the rookie will be reclaiming his post between the sticks. A consistent lineup can go quite a long way to achieving greatness, and with the team finally getting back to full strength, Hans Backe may finally have the luxury of picking the best 11 players available, rather than selecting from whatever squad members he has at his disposal at that given time.
The addition of a world-class talent such as Tim Cahill is certainly something to get excited about, and there’s no question that the Red Bulls are a better team with him in the side. But as has been the case all season, New York’s problem isn’t finding the back of the net; it’s keeping everyone else out. Afford this team some time to gel, to get things right, and the final product just may be there at season’s end… just don’t try to tell me how good we are on paper.
Defending has been the problem for most of the year. But it’s also been a makeshift back line at best for most of the year. Obviously it was an ugly loss to Montreal but if NY can get healthy before the playoffs… There isn’t a deeper team in the league. Obviously championships aren’t won on paper but I certainly like their chances.
Love this post! It’s what NYRB fans need to hear.
Though I’d say calling Cahill “world-class” is a bit of a stretch. In anyone’s present day World XI, I’m hard pressed to find anyone having him on the bench, let alone on the pitch.
Granted it was a bad game but the RB and the back line’s play left was not their best, but we should also recognize that Montreal played a very good game. I was impressed by their movement and quick transition from defense to offense. Something we are lacking.
Also, who knows what is up with Lindpere? Pretty pedestrian performance from him. I wish we had had Ballouchy for this game so he could have gone to the right and allowed LeToux to move behind Cooper.
If the Monday morning news from Big Apple Soccer is true that Medhi has been sent to San Jose, then I hope this is a trade for another defender. Cahill’s entry to the team certainly built on the glut of mids we currently have, and Medhi was, as they say, “surplus to requirements”. Since I do not think that more backpassing is in our future, I would thank Medhi for his service (what there was) and wish him well.
Chan, good call, only a few articles out there about MB. I agree, his time has passed. He can’t travel internationally, and he is taking up an international spot, i think, right??? The back four (sorry for this excuse) has been an inconsistent line up, thus resulting in sloppy, uncoordinated defense (resulting in all those goals). Speed also is a concern in the back.
For as good on paper as RBNY are, there’s a huge number of players who are either playing out of position or who just don’t fit into the formation Backe favors.
Lade is an exception not because he’s adapting perfectly to being a midfielder but simply because he is both quick and willing to work VERY hard. Lindpere has never been quick but his crosses are probably his most important asset, even though he claims to want to play in the middle. Solli has all the attributes a wing back should have except pace but sometimes just doesn’t show up on D. And I won’t even bother trying to open the pandora’s box known as Marquez. Too lazy to play defense, not good enough to play anywhere else.