About JP

No more easy games in 2006 for the Red Bulls

Saturday’s loss in Columbus should tell the New York Red Bulls a couple of things, if they didn’t know them already.

The first is that there are no easy games in MLS. The Columbus Crew were winless in 13 straight coming into that game. You would think that the Red Bulls would run right over them. Had New York played up to their best level, their unbeaten streak would have extended to six games, rather than end at five. The Crew had won only one home game all season, prior to last night, and that was in May. Now, despite their poor season, they are only two points behind the Red Bulls.

The second thing was amplified on Saturday, but it’s been a concern to the team for quite some time now. Their forwards don’t score goals. Edson Buddle leads the team in shots and shots on goal, but surely he should have more than three goals in 21 games played. Buddle’s last tally was back on July 1 against New England, so he hasn’t scored a goal in his last eight games.

Youri Djorkaeff would be better suited playing behind the strikers, rather than being one (AP)

So the bottom line is this team’s five-game unbeaten streak was accomplished through defensive play, plain and simple.

In the five-game unbeaten stretch, the team only scored six goals while giving up one, and that was on a penalty kick.

Goalkeepers Jon Conway and Tony Meola have combined to allow just two goals in the team’s last six games, but New York has only managed to win half of those games. They will need to do better as they enter the stretch drive.

Only 10 games remain, five at home and five on the road. What was thought to be an easy game coming up vs. Real Salt Lake on Saturday is no longer considered to be an easy one. RSL has won four straight games now, led by the league’s top scorer in Jeff Cunningham.

Eight of the ten games left are versus teams in the Eastern Conference, so the Red Bulls have a lot to say about their playoff chances.

Trading for John Wolyniec helps the attack, but the offense needs more than that. Unless the team can locate another goal-scorer, this is the group they will count on for the last 10 games. I think that Buddle and Djorkaeff have to produce goals, especially Edson since he is a pure striker who’s paid to score.

Defensively, I expect this team to continue to be strong down the stretch. If they can match that defensive play with some improvement offensively, they should make the playoffs.

You might say, for the Red Bulls the season starts on Saturday.