Just a week removed from their most convincing performance of the season (and on the road, no less) the NY Red Bulls managed a Great Escape of sorts after a 2-2 draw, at home, against the San Jose Earthquakes.
As was said several times yesterday: If defense wins championships, then we ain't winning anything this year. As a matter of fact, I submit to you that, with our Backline-Of-Death, Thierry Henry, Kenny Cooper, and whoever else fancies himself a goal scorer, better pick up the pace, as we're going to need 4, 5, 6 goals a game to either draw or win. It was just an ugly performance by the Red Bulls, punctuated by an even uglier incident involving our washed up Mexican International DP.
Photo credit: Claude Betancourt
Beautiful first-half goals, by Kenny Cooper and Dax McCarty, went to waste as the Red Bulls twice blew a one goal lead. Kenny F'ng Cooper opened the scoring with his 7th of the season. This goal tied King Kenny with Thierry Henry, who notched the assist. Dax McCarty scored the second Red Bulls goal after a massive play, down the right side, by the great Dane Richards. It was McCarty's first goal as a RBNY player and is surely a Goal of The Week candidate. Unfortunately, these fine efforts were cancelled out by one of the easiest goals any MLS player will get this season and a fine collective effort that was headed home by Wondo (also his 7th of the season)
An uninspired second half, that's truly best forgotten quickly, made way for some actual fireworks after the end of this one (another view here). San Jose could have stolen it at the death, but for some panic defending, courtesy of Steven Keel, that actually worked out for us.
Photo credit: Matthew Kremkau
Another sub-par performance from our own Rafa Marquez. That he punctuated it with a moment of totally indefensible classlessness (is that even a word?) was icing on the cake. Please Tainio, get well quick! Another sub-par performance from the whole of the RBNY backline. Please come back Tim Ream! And please, Wilman Conde, get well soon cause we desperately need you! If there is a positive to be taken from this game: Left back Connor Lade finally made his debut in League play. Please Connor, make that position yours! The sooner you do, the sooner we can wave bye, bye to Roy Miller.
Please see the above video for drunken pre-game and half-time comments. You can click here for post game comments. Please click here for my flickr photo album of this one (slide show here). You can click here for an album, courtesy of Matthew Kremkau, and click here for another one, courtesy of Claude Betancourt. Finally, you can click here for some photos from the Official site.
Photo credit: Matthew Kremkau
Attendance was disappointing, yet again, with the announced number leaving many fans, in attendance, shaking their heads in disbelief. Well, at least the announced number seemed closer to the actual number this time (unlike the announced/actual from the past home game). Coming off several heroic goalscoring efforts, by the likes of Thierry Henry and Kenny F'ng Cooper, that @The Cathedral of Football hasn't come close to selling out this season is an embarrassment that rests squarely on the shoulders of one Chris Heck. Let's pick it up, Guv'nor!
Despite all that, a great time was had, by myself and all my friends in the South Ward. What would this club be without all you fine guys and gals? Well do it all over again, in a couple of week's time, at the massive, massive Eastern Conference fixture that will be RBNY vs New England Revolution. I hope to see you all then, @The Cathedral of Football, Red Bull Arena (built by Makita). The Big Viper is outta here!
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