Good Afternoon! The Red Bulls are back in MLS action today @Chicago (9:00pm ET, ESPN2). New Red Bulls Designated Player Rafa Marquez will, most likely, make his MLS debut. In fact, it could be a historic day as we could see up to five DPs on the field today. The Red Bulls actually haven't won an MLS game since that 3-0 trouncing of the KC Wizards back on June 26th. The Fire are coming off a big 3-2 victory @The Home Depot Center against the Galaxy and will be looking to pick up three precious points at home against RBNY. With all that in mind, let's get to some predictions.
Matt Conroy (aka Who Shot Sam) has this for us:
The Red Bulls finally wrap up this seemingly endless string of road games with a visit to Chicago, where they never seem to get a result. We could (should?) see Marquez, Henry and Angel on the pitch together for ths first time, while Chicago will have DPs of their own to showcase. I love what I saw from Henry and Angel in Houston. With Marquez in the mix as well, I cannot see Chicago keeping a clean sheet. The big question is - will we make mistakes and let in a goal or two. Unfortunately I think the answer to that question is yes. Another 2-2 draw. Goals for Henry and Kandji.I'm going to be a bit more optomistic than I usually am and will go with a 2-0 Red Bulls victory. I believe the pairing of Henry and Angel up top will yield results, as happened last week against Houston. This time, however, Rafa Marquez will be present to steady the defense. This will allow Bouna Condoul to record another shut-out.
Homebrew Tim has this for us:
We've always struggled in Chicago, but are looking to finish this endless road trip with a win tonight. With another week of training under their belts, I expect Angel and Henry to be more than a handful for Chicago's back line. I also hope to learn that "Ljungberg" is Swedish for "Marquez' Bitch" tonight. With the FIFA date pulling away several of our First XI on our next date, this is our only glimpse at a (mostly) fit group of starters, and our first chance to see what kind of strategy and formation Coach Backe will be using. I just have a good feeling that tonight is another night in our 2010 campaign for breaking bad streaks, and our lousy record at Chicago will be the next one to fall. A thrilling 3-2 victory for the New York Red Bulls tonight. Angel with one, and Henry makes up for last week with a brace.Last, but not least, the great You Suck Corrales has this for us:
Last time we played away to Chicago I was actually there. Suffered through hypothermic conditions and a 1-0 loss despite Chicago being down to 10 men for most of the match. Well let's hope this will be different.Alrighty then! Look for our award winning post-match coverage within the next few day. Viper Out!
I think the goals will flow from us. If the Houston game was any indication, creativity in attack and goal scoring opportunities will be plentiful. My concern is what killed us in Houston. The vastly overrated Tim Ream and whoever he is paired with. They managed to cost us an easy 3 points last week. I know Ream is everybody's darling. I don't know why. He has been good for several massive errors that led to goals this year. I hope the center of the defense does not cost us again.
And there is some new guy named Rafa Marquez playing tonight. I hope he is good.
Prediction NYRB 5 - Chicago-2 Goals JPA 3 Henry 2
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