BY ERIC GIACOMETTI

The Red Bulls’ Jekyll-and-Hyde-esque transformation seems destined to continue anytime they venture outside of the friendly confines of Red Bull Arena.

As expected, New York turned in yet another sub-par performance on the road – but managed to earn a tie at Livestrong Park.    

With a chance to claim the top spot in the East ahead of another clash against DC, the Red Bulls came out flat (again) and conceded inside five minutes to a Kansas City side that looked to be in complete control.  Yet at the end of the day, the Red Bulls walked away with a point that they both deserved and had no right earning.

Sloppy play or no, New York still has two more cracks at KC (both at home) and a point on the road is a welcome sight for a team that has struggled so mightily on the road. 

As we arrive at the home stretch, fans inevitably begin to speculate about their team’s chances at making a run for the Cup.  And while two consecutive poor showings from the Red Bulls may have some questioning the legitimacy of New York’s chances, the results against Portland and KC prove just why the Red Bulls can claim their first piece of MLS silverware at season’s end.

A counter-intuitive notion to say the least, but hear me out.  The Red Bulls propensity to earn results despite themselves is an encouraging, if not confusing, sign.  Against the Timbers, New York found themselves in a 2-0 hole to a team that has yet to win on the road.  The boys in white walked away with three points thanks to the soccer deities that be.

A team that can earn results even when playing poorly has the potential to go far in the playoffs.  While the past two performances have been less than stellar, the mere fact that we’ve earned four points out of six is nothing short of a small miracle. 

There’s no doubt that the team’s road woes need to be ironed out, and quickly, but I’m quite content with picking up valuable points in an air-tight Eastern Conference.

Oh, and while I’m riding with the theme of unpopular opinions, might as well throw this one out there …

We need Rafa.  Be honest, how many times did you wish we had more composure/better passing out of the back last night? 

Just sayin’ folks, just sayin’.