The Red Bulls have seemingly been in search of a classic No.10 for as long as they’ve been in search of an MLS Cup. The brittle bodies of returning New Jersey legends Tab Ramos and Claudio Reyna hindered their careers here, and former MLS MVP Amado Guevara’s petulant personality ended his.
But now Joel Lindpere has picked up the gauntlet; and while it’s a small sample size, if it means anything at all, the Estonian national team standout seems as up for the task as anybody the team has had in years.
“He’s a friggin’ pit bull out there,” said fullback Jeremy Hall. “Offensively and defensively, he links up so well and does so many things for us in settling the team down.”
Lindpere’s 40th-minute, one-timed volley was all the offense the Red Bulls got _ or needed _ in last night’s 1-0 season-opening win over Chicago. But he also played a complete, box-to-box game, helping settle the midfield when the game got hectic and possession hard to come by, and also working hard on defense.
“He’d the player, he’s close to being a No. 10 because he can be the player from central midfield who can go for the killer passes, fine passes; but he will score goals for us too,” said coach Hans Backe. “He’s an absolute hard worker. His work rate is phenomenal. He kept going for 90 minutes…I’m a little bit surprised no other teams in Europe picked him up when he was out of contract.”
Lindpere _ who has been capped 74 times by Estonia _ is a grizzled European veteran still very much in his prime at 28-years-old.
He logged 75 games in 2 ½ seasons at Norwegian Tromso, helping them reach the Europa League. That’s where the Red Bulls’ new Norwegian GM, Erik Soler became familiar with him, and a fan of him. So when Lindpere turned down a contract extension after the 2009 season, going on trials with multiple Russian clubs and German side Hansa Rostock, Soler pounced with an offer.
Now both sides are glad they did. Lindpere _ who signed after an impressive trial with the club, and claims he wants to visit all 50 states _ put his name in club annals last weekend when he scored cored the first goal in Red Bull Arena history, a left-footed one-timed volley in a 3-1 rout over Brazilian power Santos.
“We have many new players; half of the team is new, half of the staff is new,” said Lindpere. “The stadium, everything, that was also my reason to come here. Probably if this (didn’t) happen, I (wouldn’t) be here. The circumstances and all about what was happening around this club, I knew it before I signed the contract.”
Backe initially brought Lindpere in to play left wing, a trouble spot since the team dealt away Dave van den Bergh following their 2008 MLS Cup run. But the Estonian pointed out that he’d largely been a central midfielder before going to Tromso, and throughout camp excelled in the middle of the park.
“I like this position. I have played many (other places) in this position before, only not in my last club. I try to keep on going like this,” Lindpere said. “I think we have many good central midfielders. We have a good competition inside the team, and everybody should work harder because of this.”
Work rate doesn’t seem to be a problem for Lindpere, who seems perfectly-suited to serve as this team’s midfield engine. The 5-foot-10 Lindpere’s posture, body type and hairline is somewhat reminiscent of Clint Mathis, one of the most explosive midfielders in team history. Thier games are different, but the club hopes Lindpere can win as much as Mathis did back in 2000 and ’01.
Last night he scored the only tally, after carrying the ball through the midfield and laying it off out wide to Danleigh Borman. The South African left-winger put a cross into the box that defender Mike Banner headed out; but the opportunistic Lindpere beat everybody to the ball and hit a right-footed shot by rookie goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra.
“I hadn’t thought he had a right foot,” Backe quipped. And Lindpere agreed.
“I don’t have,” Lindpere said wryly. “It’s for walking.”
And apparently winning.
