THE SUB THING … AGAIN
Under 101 degree heat, the New York Red Bulls kept their starters – including a 34 year old Thierry Henry – on the pitch for 70+ minutes of play. To put the conditions into a better context, those 70 minutes in brutal heat follow 90 minutes of play by the majority of the starters just 3 days prior sandwiched between a midday matinee against the Philadelphia Union this Saturday at 2pm.
Red Bulls coach Hans Backe is infamous for running out his starting eleven until they can’t go any longer. In 101 degree heat, that mindset is a momentum killer. The addition of Connor Lade showed just how important fresh bodies can be in brutal heat. He immediately pushed the Fire back and helped the Red Bulls turn the tide.
What took so long? Who knows. The better question may be just how the choice to run his players out this afternoon affects New York’s ability to field a team for Saturday’s derby against the Union.
You know, overall it was a great win. They did wells enough to win. What Moe can u ask for?
He didn’t even play but my post is still going to be about Rafa. Can we just call it a loss and cut him? He’s too lazy to put in a full shift at center back and he’s just not good enough to play any role in the midfield. Dax is a workhorse and the experiment of playing both of them in the middle was a dismal failure. Basically we are paying Rafa almost 5 million a year to hit some long balls that Thierry may or may not be able to run on to.
I’ll tell you Chuck … the frustration seems to be seeping into the team as well. Henry has always been a staunch supporter but other teammates are beginning to grumble.
That was a truly classy goal from Henry! Hope to see more of those lofted balls from Le Toux as well.