If the Red Bulls plan to extend their six-game unbeaten streak, they’re going to do it in arguably MLS’ most daunting environment, and do it shorthanded without their top three strikers. If they get a point tonight in Seattle (10 p.m., ESPN2)_ or even three _ they will surely have earned it the hard way.
Playing the second of three road games within eight days, the Red Bulls will face a huge crowd of over 45,000 at newly-renamed CenturyLink Field, and they’ll do it without suspended Thierry Henry, injured Luke Rodgers and Juan Agudelo, away with the U.S. preparing for this weekend’s Gold Cup final.
With Rodgers missing tonight’s game and probably this weekend’s in Chicago, Henry suspended after a controversial red card in Sunday’s 3-3 tie at Portland, and rookie Corey Hertzog deemed not yet ready, coach Hans Backe is likely to start midfielders Dane Richards and Dwayne De Rosario up front. The latter has excelled as a second striker, but Richards has done his best work using his speed on runs out of the midfield.
“In the preseason I’ve played up top a lot, and had some great games. The last time in preseason against Kansas City I managed to score, so hopefully (I can again),’’ said Richards. “It’s not anything strange to me; I’ll adapt to it quickly.’’
De Rosario scored a 96th-minute PK to earn Sunday’s draw, while Richards saw his Jamaica team fall 2-0 to the U.S. that same day, eliminated from the Gold Cup quarterfinals and freed to return to the shorthanded Red Bulls.
“I’m happy to be back so I can play some games with Red Bull. It was a nice experience. We played a few good games, but we knew going up against the U.S. would be a tough task. We tried to give it our all, but they were more organized on the day. They played better than us and they deserved the victory,’’ said Richards, who praised a Seattle team that has recently found its form.
“They are dangerous up top for sure with (Fredy) Montero. They have some good players. We just know playing at their stadium, their crowd is always behind them; it’s a crazy atmosphere. We just have to go there and be disciplined. We know we’re going to create chances; we just have to put some away.’’
After going winless in their first four games, the Sounders have gone 6-2-5 since to vault to third on the overall MLS table. Even though Seattle has won just one of its last four home games, the Red Bulls are fully aware of how tough a place to play CenturyLink Field is, and the upper level has been opened for their arrival.
“It is tough, but at the same time it’s exciting, probably the best atmosphere in the league, (or) one of. As a player you look forward to these games, playing in front of 30,000, the yelling and the chanting. So it’s great; we need to be up for it,’’ said centerback Carlos Mendes, who will try to help shore up a suddenly-leaky defense.
The Red Bulls may have only allowed an MLS-low eight goals on the road, but they coughed up three second-half goals Sunday in Portland. They’ve allowed 13 tallies in their last seven games after allowing just three in their first eight tilts; and they’re playing without starting centerbacks Rafa Marquez and Tim Ream, who’ll suit up for the Mexican and U.S. teams Sunday in the Rose Bowl.
Perhaps more damning is the Red Bulls have given away five penalty kicks in their last six games. It almost strains credulity considering the club record is ten for an entire season. Even with Seattle missing Steve Zakuani, Brad Evans and suspended Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, the Red Bulls won’t show much sympathy.
“We know it’s going to be a very tough game. Seattle is one of the toughest places to play,’’ said Mendes. “We know it’ll be a good game. It’ll be a good game and we need to build on the first half we had in Portland, and hopefully we can play for 90- minutes like that.’’
