By BRIAN LEWIS
We can take a number of things from the Red Bullsâ 1-0 win over Chivas USA. What exactly did we learn yesterday?
They can pass a gut-check, because this was a must-have. Theyâre still piling up injuries, with Dane Richards and Jeff Parke rolling their ankles and Juan Pablo Angelâs back acting up again. And unless Jozy Altidore plays Sunday for the U.S., we may not see him at Giants Stadium again anytime soon.
If he doesnât play against Argentina and you start getting nostalgic, hereâs a great video compilation to remember the Villarreal-bound star by.
*** Angelâs 75th-minute goal and Jon Conwayâs clean sheet helped the Red Bulls pull out a dour tilt. Theyâd lost back-to-back games and last night they snapped a three-game winless streak.
It was important enough because of the $10 million transfer of Altidore and the absence of hamstrung captain Claudio Reyna; but it was also huge because they play five of their next six on the road _ not including the friendly they just announced vs. Chivas for June 25
After getting this weekend off, they play at RFK next Saturday and at New England June 18 before coming home to host Dallas June 21. Then they play Chivas in Glendale on June 25 before returning to league play at sister club Chivas USA June 28, at Colorado July 4 and at Kansas City July 10.
*** The Red Bulls beat Chivas USA 1-0 the same night they announced a friendly vs. Club Deportivo Guadalajara _ known as Chivas. Itâll be June 25 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz (11 p.m. Telafutura).
Sporting director Jeff Agoos said âAs a club constantly striving to test ourselves against the worldâs best competition, we are excited to face Chivas de Guadalajara as part of their preseason. Chivas has a storied history of excellence and we are looking forward to providing a strong test for them at the beautiful University of Phoenix Stadium.ââ
Translation: We need to pimp the brand for the Austrian mother ship.
*** Injuries are really starting to pile up, with Parke and Richards both rolling their ankles. Parke limped off at the final whistle, while Richards _ who missed two months with a torn right MCL in the preseason _ sprained his left ankle on the turf while planting to cross late in the game.
âI tried to cross the ball and when I planted, I just rolled my left ankle real bad. My knee is fine: It was just my ankle,ââ Richards said. â(But) itâs paining me real bad right now.ââ
*** Reynaâs injuries seem to be paining coach Juan Carlos Osorio. When asked about Reynaâs situation, Osorio answered âHeâs injured at the moment.ââ
When asked if Reynaâs fragility _ heâs missed 4 ½ of their ten games, played just 461 of a possible 900 minutes _ is a concern, he said âIt is, because I would like to have my full roster in contention. But I can only go by what the medical department tells me and they say that he is injured again and weâll just deal with that the way it is.ââ
I used to just assume Reyna would be back next year at a reduced, non-Designated Player salary. Now Iâm not sure if heâll be back at all. Weâll see.
*** The Red Bulls already had cap space, but they’re about to gt $500k more from the Altidore transfer. Multiple sources say they’re close to signing Venezuelan midfielder Jorge Rojas, who is facing Brazil tonight in Foxboro on FSC.
Red Bull is sending somebody to that game, but it won’t be Osorio. He’s going scouting; one possibility is Argentina, since he told me he planned to dip into that rich market and their league is in it’s penultimate weekend from tonight until Sunday.
