Three months ago, Thierry Henry and the New York Red Bulls were sitting pretty at the top of MLS' Eastern Conference. Then the wheels came off, with an eight-game winless run allowing the chasing pack to first close the gap, then surge ahead.
The good news for the Red Bulls, who currently occupy fifth spot in the East but only trail the leaders by five points, is that they still have three weeks to save their season. That means they have enough time to at least clinch one of the four playoff wild card spots or even top the conference.
If New York are to do so, though, much will depend on a trio who made their names in English football. Former Arsenal talisman Henry's importance to the Red Bulls’ cause needs little explanation. The Frenchman leads the team with 13 goals, provides the bulk of the cutting edge up front and represents the star quality that brings fans flocking to watch the team.
But Henry cannot do it all himself and needs more from two team-mates who also gained experience across the pond. First, his strike partner Luke Rodgers has plenty to prove. The 5"8 poacher bounced around the Football League, starring for Shrewsbury Town, Crewe Alexandra, Port Vale, Yeovil and Notts County while also making headlines for questionable off-field behaviour. But Rodgers now has the chance to make real strides. At 29, his best football should still be ahead of him and he has the perfect mentor in Henry.
And then there is Teemu Tainio, the former Tottenham midfielder. The Finn joined the Red Bulls in March and his midfield partnership with Rafael Marquez ranks among the league's best on paper. But with Marquez spending time in the back four, they have had limited opportunities to gel. Tainio must turn the corner in the final three games and become a more dominant presence.
Only the MLS could have brought together these three players, from very different backgrounds and with contrasting levels of success, and they will be expected to play leading roles down the home stretch as the Red Bulls bid to avoid one of the worst collapses in league history.
The testing run of results has clearly taken its toll on manager Hans Backe and his players. Marquez hardly helped matters when, after a 3-1 loss to Real Salt Lake, he said: “I almost didn’t commit any errors, so I am not worried. I think I am playing at my maximum level, and doing everything I can. I don’t have, unfortunately, four defenders on my level that can help me out.”
The good news for the Red Bulls, who currently occupy fifth spot in the East but only trail the leaders by five points, is that they still have three weeks to save their season. That means they have enough time to at least clinch one of the four playoff wild card spots or even top the conference.
If New York are to do so, though, much will depend on a trio who made their names in English football. Former Arsenal talisman Henry's importance to the Red Bulls’ cause needs little explanation. The Frenchman leads the team with 13 goals, provides the bulk of the cutting edge up front and represents the star quality that brings fans flocking to watch the team.
But Henry cannot do it all himself and needs more from two team-mates who also gained experience across the pond. First, his strike partner Luke Rodgers has plenty to prove. The 5"8 poacher bounced around the Football League, starring for Shrewsbury Town, Crewe Alexandra, Port Vale, Yeovil and Notts County while also making headlines for questionable off-field behaviour. But Rodgers now has the chance to make real strides. At 29, his best football should still be ahead of him and he has the perfect mentor in Henry.
And then there is Teemu Tainio, the former Tottenham midfielder. The Finn joined the Red Bulls in March and his midfield partnership with Rafael Marquez ranks among the league's best on paper. But with Marquez spending time in the back four, they have had limited opportunities to gel. Tainio must turn the corner in the final three games and become a more dominant presence.
Only the MLS could have brought together these three players, from very different backgrounds and with contrasting levels of success, and they will be expected to play leading roles down the home stretch as the Red Bulls bid to avoid one of the worst collapses in league history.
The testing run of results has clearly taken its toll on manager Hans Backe and his players. Marquez hardly helped matters when, after a 3-1 loss to Real Salt Lake, he said: “I almost didn’t commit any errors, so I am not worried. I think I am playing at my maximum level, and doing everything I can. I don’t have, unfortunately, four defenders on my level that can help me out.”
For the rest of the article, visit http://www.insidefutbol.com/2011/10/05/thierry-henry-co-under-microscope-at-ny-red-bulls/50335/
No comments:
Post a Comment