By BRIAN LEWIS
All-around solid effort in the Red Bulls’ 2-0 win over San Jose, outshooting the expansion club 19-5 and dominating play. They climbed over DC United out of the Eastern Conference cellar with seven points, and could well have Juan Pablo Angel, Hunter Freeman and Dane Richards all back for Thursday’s date in Toronto with Amado Guevara.
Here are some thoughts on the game:
JON CONWAY only needed two saves to keep the clean sheet. The Red Bulls fell asleep late, but he was there when called upon.
KEVIN GOLDTHWAITE was, once again, the best defender. When he went down for a third time, I just kept remembering Juan Carlos Osorio telling me “If Kevin Goldthwaite gets hurt, we’re in trouble.’’ But Goldthwaite insists Monday’s MRI is precautionary, and that he should be able to play Thursday at Toronto.
CHRIS LEITCH redeemed himself after last weekend’s shaky performance. He’s also proving by the game that he is a right back only, and should never, EVER, be put in the middle of the defense. Repeat, EVER. Now let’s see if Osorio goes to a 4-4-2 on the road, and whether he goes to Leitch or Freeman.
JEFF PARKE rarely had his name called, which meant he did a good job shutting down striker Kei Kamara, whom he tussled with a couple of times.
CLAUDIO REYNA didn’t get hurt or get an assist or get a goal _ although Nick Garcia cleared his low shot off the line. All the captain did was run his legs off playing attacking mid in the first half, then settle the team down as a holding mid in the second. His best game of the year.
“A healthy Claudio is a very influential player. He showed he can play as a playmaker or second midfielder, and both positions he played very well. He competed and he did a lot of good,’’ said Osorio. Jozy Altidore said “It just shows what he’s capable of, how he improves the team. When we work around him, we’re pretty good.’’
LUKE SASSANO had a nondescript performance, and with Freeman making the bench today, and Dane Richards perhaps being ready for Thursday in Toronto, the rookie might see his time on the right wing cut.
SETH STAMMLER was solid, making a couple nice turns on offense and putting out several fires on defense. Great work rate, typical Stammler.
SINISA UBIPARIPOVIC got pulled at halftime, and it was the right call. Osorio moved Reyna back into the holding mid spot, and the attack came alive. Might we see more of that?
DAVE VAN DEN BERGH didn’t do all that much offensively, but he did do a fine job eliminating Ronnie O’Brien, the only threat this offensive-incompetent team has.
JOHN WOLYNIEC isn’t pretty, but he works and grinds and runs. Unlucky to have Garcia clear his header off the line, and in the second half he held the ball well, letting Altidore run onto it to set up both goals, Osorio saying “That’s effective football. I kept saying that’s your strength; just get a hold of the ball and it’ll pay off, and it did. He battles for 90 minutes, and he made the center backs know they were in a game.’’
JOZY ALTIDORE had scored just twice in 14 starts since last year without Juan Pablo Angel in the lineup, and San Jose tried roughing him up. This was a big breakthrough, handling the pressure of being the man. At 18. Think Colorado assistant Gary Smith _ who used to scout for Arsenal and was at the Swamp today watching, likely for the Gunners _ was impressed?http://web.mlsnet.com/media/player/mp_tpl.jsp?w=mms%3A//a1503.v115042.c11504.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/11504/v0001/mlbmls.download.akamai.com/11504/2008/open/topplays/04/042708_sjerbn_altidore_goal_350.wmv&w_id=19470&catCode=top_plays&type=v_free&_mp=1
“In the first half he didn’t deal with it well, lost composure. He needs to look in the mirror and see how big he is: He should be the one giving out beatings,’’ Reyna laughed. “But people forget he’s young. That’s all experience. Today’s a lesson. He’s 18 and it’s a game he can learn from.’’
MIKE MAGEE lives! The forgotten man apparently he still has game. Even before his PK goalhttp://web.mlsnet.com/media/player/mp_tpl.jsp?w=mms%3A//a1503.v115042.c11504.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/11504/v0001/mlbmls.download.akamai.com/11504/2008/open/topplays/04/042708_sjerbn_magee_goal_350.wmv&w_id=19468&catCode=top_plays&type=v_free&_mp=1, he sparked the offense as an attacking mid in the second half, and could start cutting into Ubi’s minutes.
“Mike deserves it. He worked so hard and I think he deserves his chances and I think you are going to see a lot more from him,’’ Altidore said. Osorio added “He has that final pass, he can keep good possession and he has an eye for a goal, so good for him too. We just have to manage how we bring him back to full game fitness because he hasn’t played in (two years).’’
What were yout thoughts on the game? Reyna still stinks? Magee for CAM? Can’t wait to face Amado? Chime in.