Thierry Henry thinks his underachieving Red Bulls will need not just character and courage to fight their way into the playoffs, but also consistency and continuity to become champions. And he doesn’t have to look any further the foe they face tomorrow (8 p.m., ESPN2) _ the league-leading L.A. Galaxy _ for inspiration.
Henry had watched from afar as friend David Beckham’s Galaxy missed the playoffs twice; but they kept their star-studded core and built one of the best teams in league history. Now Henry is hoping his Red Bulls can make the postseason, but also have the patience to follow L.A.’s example and stick with their core as well.
“Playing against the best team in the league tomorrow, we need three points. We need to dig in,’’ said Henry, who pulled out a 1-1 draw in Toronto Saturday with an 88th-minute equalizer and sees glaring similarities in his team’s struggles and those of the Galaxy during Beckham’s first two seasons in 2007 and ’08.
“In a way, yes, when you look at us going forward,’’ said Henry. “They had their struggles before but sometimes in the game you have to go through struggles before you reach the top. Hopefully it won’t last too long for us, but sometimes it needs to happen. They had their problems and they managed to handle it….So in a way I can see some similarities.”
They haven’t had much continuity this year, between firing highly-regarded assistants Des McAleenan and Richie Williams, keeper Bouna Coundoul’s resulting lack of form forcing them to ink 38-year-old Designated Player keeper Frank Rost, and of course first trading for Dwayne De Rosario and then dealing the midfielder away to rival DC only to see him become MLS’ leading scorer and an MVP candidate. Now their captain is calling for some calm and continuity.
“I just hope that we can keep most of the team together. It’s early to talk about, and I’m not the boss,” said Henry. “But yes, in this league it’s very important to keep the same team. (Real) Salt Lake, Dallas, Seattle, the teams have been the same for a very long time, especially L.A. They didn’t change too much in the roster. Then (again), this is New York; it’s another story (here). But I do believe in continuity and hopefully we can have some. But it’d be better to have continuity getting into the playoffs.’’
Those playoffs are hardly a given. The Red Bulls are clinging to the fourth and final wild-card spot with 40 points, even with Portland but holding a tiebreaker over the Timbers. They’re three points behind Houston with a game in hand, and two ahead of D.C., although archrival United have a game in hand. They close with games at Kansas City and against Philadelphia.
“It’s a massive game tomorrow because then we would set up having very good games head-to-head against Kansas and Philadelphia. It would be great if we can win the game tomorrow,’’ said coach Hans Backe, who would likely come under fire if he can’t steer this high-priced team into the playoffs. His team is five points behind East-leading Sporting KC with a game in hand and four behind the Union.
The Red Bulls will catch a break against L.A., with Landon Donovan out with a mild right quad strain and Irish striker Robbie Keane on international duty. For the Red Bulls, Tim Ream and Juan Agudelo won’t leave for U.S. duty until after the game, and defender Carlos Mendes (ankle) is likely to suit up, although Backe said he plans to stick with the same back four that played well Saturday in Toronto.
That means Stephen Keel will pair with Ream at centerback, and Rafa Marquez should play central midfield alongside Teemu Tainio. They lost 3-1 to Real Salt Lake in the last game Marquez started in defense, but allowed just one goal in the last three games they played without the $4.6 million/year star in the back four.
“We’re out to win. We don’t want to come here and go through the motions. We’re aware that if we win the game the Supporters Shield will be ours,’’ said Beckham. “But…coming to New York and playing the Red Bulls is never easy. They’re fighting to get into the playoffs and it’s not going to be an easy game.
“Obviously I keep an eye on their results because of Thierry; he’s a friend. Having Thierry in the team you’ve got the experience of a player who’s played at the top level and knows how to play in pressure situations. But he’s got a lot of players around him who’re stepping up, and obviously they’ve got character because when they’ve needed to get results the last few week they’ve scraped them.’’
Beckham arrived during the 2007 season, with the Galaxy missing the playoffs that season and the next. But they finished with the league’s second-best mark in 2009, won the Supporters’ Shield last year and are all but assured of doing so again this season, clinching it with their next victory. And Beckham sees similarities in what his friend is going through in New York, suffering through injuries and disappointing results.
“When I arrived we didn’t have the stability we’ve had the last three years. With Bruce (Arena, coach), coming here that’s why we’ve had the success we’ve had. We’ve had the success we’ve had because of the stability. It wasn’t like that when I first moved here. It’s always tougher than you realize getting into the playoffs,’’ said Beckham, who’ll decide after the season if he’ll return for 2011.
“I personally think Red Bull have the ability to get into the playoffs. That’s why I believe it’s going to be a tough game. Thierry’s enjoying himself. It’s frustrating for him because of the couple of injuries that he’s had, but overall he’s enjoying playing here from what he’s told me. And if he gets in the playoffs I’m sure he’ll be even happier.’’
