This past week, with the spotlight on Texas, the Red Bull’s players put on a show. In the 2010 MLS All Star Game last Wednesday, Juan Pablo Angel had a solid 45 minutes in the first half before being substituted, and Thierry Henry made his MLS debut last Saturday in the match against the Houston Dynamo. In this 13th edition of the column, we will focus on the 2-2 draw with Houston, as well as the recent signing of Rafael Marquez.
The Good: With Thierry Henry and Juan Pablo Angel finally together, the Red Bull’s attack was more dangerous than seen in quite some time. Henry assisted on both of Angel’s goals, and should have had two of his own, though his finishing was off all day. Expect to see plenty of goals with these two playing as strikers and providers for each other and their teammates. Also, the Red Bulls signed an unprecedented third designated player, Mexico captain Rafa Marquez, to a three and a half year contract, through the 2013 season. Marquez will shore up any potential chinks in the back line, and will most likely be played by coach Hans Backe in a defensive midfield role.
The Bad: Despite being up a man for the whole second half of the match against Houston, the Red Bulls were unable to hold their lead, or add to it. Juan Pablo Angel’s goal was a fantastic strike, but after that, despite close chances, the Red Bulls were unable to put any away, and they missed out on picking up more points on the Eastern Conference leading Columbus Crew, who lost over the weekend to Chivas USA. The Red Bulls are currently in second place, down seven points from the Crew, with a game in hand.
The Red: Before I wrote this article, I was going to say that the backline, and defensive focus was a big issue recently, but I think that Rafa Marquez will help shore that up. His leadership should help raise the games of his teammates, and hopefully he will provide the squad with plenty of possession. Hopefully this is also the end of the Carl Robinson experiment. He has been oft injured, and when playing, not looking very good on offense or defense. He is usually invisible during matches.
The Dead: Clint Mathis today announced his retirement today, saying that this weekend’s game between his Los Angeles Galaxy and Real Madrid will be his final match. Mathis was one of the first American super star soccer players, and his career in New York was nothing short of superb. Mathis played five seasons with the Metrostars/Red Bulls, finishing with 45 goals in all competitions, including five in one game against the Dallas Burn in 2000. The Red Bulls have announced they plan to make a tribute to his career.
May 17th, 2011 at 1:05 AM
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August 25th, 2011 at 5:16 AM
The Santiago Bernabéu Trophy cup real Madrid 2-1 reversal
This season the bernabeu at home, for real Madrid cup Turkish giants galatasaray. Mr Cook-Iraq wear soft ground soccer cleats for the visiting team south first open records, but Xabi Alonso wear indoor soccer shoes two assists, Sergio Ramos García wear artificial ground soccer cleats and Karim Benzema wear hard ground soccer cleats connected the two ball reverse, 2-1, real Madrid win win silverware.
10 minutes, galatasaray right quick counterattack, also from England winger Micah Lincoln Richards wear firm ground soccer cleats the penalty box across the door, remote in the bottom line of the ball Emmanuel Eboue wear turf soccer cleats back to knock the ball into the six-yard box, Mr Cook before the break of the body, the south strafe 0-1.
Real Madrid Xabi Alonso wear mizuno wave ignitus under attack to equalise, 33 minutes left before the bottom line, the free kick, alonso would fly ball after creating flat post, Sergio Ramos García wear puma powercat 1.10 into the six-yard box online high to head home has headed the ball, 1-1.
50 minutes, Xabi Alonso wear adidas f50 adizero prime in the ball right lateral suddenly the outside of his boot, this time on the play after the Karim Benzema wear adidas f50 adizero trx didn’t offside, one-on-one with the keeper calm slanted into the net, 2-1.
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Galatasaray (the 4-2-3-1) : Fernando Muslera wear puma soccer cleats ; Tomas ujfalusi, plug, chop mulberry wear mizuno soccer cleats, baal tower (77 ‘clark); Merlot (58 ‘ Kurtulus wear adidas soccer cleats), cook-Iraq’s south (58′ ackerman); Richards (75 ‘Doyle massey wear nike soccer cleats ), surrey Mr Ancient wear soccer cleats (58′ sierra) along, Emmanuel eboue (57 ‘and Iraq like soccer cleats buy); tower baros.
January 5th, 2012 at 2:37 AM
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February 4th, 2013 at 1:41 PM
“When Rafa plays at the back, it’s another story,” Henry said. “I know a lot of the guys don’t like him too much, but watch the game.