If the star-studded, high-priced Red Bulls miss the playoffs _ and with seven games left, they’re on pace to do just that _ they’ll go down as one of the biggest busts in MLS history.
For months, they haven’t been able to stop or even slow down the opposition, putting them in the unenviable position of having to try to score their way into the postseason. But with Luke Rodgers finally fit and Juan Agudelo coming off his best game in a Red Bull uniform, they might be able to actually do it.
Agudelo came off the bench in Saturday’s 1-1 tie against Vancouver, and scored the equalizing goal despite being a man down. And after missing two months due to plantar fasciitis, Rodgers came on for a nine-minute cameo, his first action since July 9. Having the two of them gives coach Hans Backe options up front.
“Juan did his best performance of the season for us, definitely. His best 30 minutes. So if he can keep that up, be consistent in training sessions, he definitely can be a guy that starts the game on Saturday,’’ Backe said of Saturday night’s game at FC Dallas, a game in which he hopes to extend Rodgers’ minutes.
“I don’t think Luke (will start). If I talk to our trainers, they will probably say take it easy with him. Perhaps he can raise his minutes to 30, perhaps 35, probably not (start). We’ll see on Thursday how he responds after almost a full session. But he is fit; we just have to decide if he’s going to start or be on the bench.’’
Agudelo had struggled to find chemistry all season with captain Thierry Henry, not proving the work rate or off-the-ball movement that Rodgers had. Backe opted to pair speedy Jamaican winger Dane Richards with Henry up front the past three games, but went to the bench Saturday and Agudelo came through when needed.
With the Red Bulls trailing 1-0 and playing a man down, Agudelo came on and volleyed home a Rafa Marquez pass for a second-half equalizer to draw praise from his Swedish coach.
“It made me feel good. I believe I did well that day to help out the team, and that’s the most important thing. But it’s the coach’s decision, and I’m a good citizen. So whatever he chooses to go with,’’ said Agudelo. “After the game he just shook my hand and said “Good job coming in; that’s what I want to see.’ ”
Whether Backe starts Agudelo or Rodgers, rest assured he’s ecstatic to get the latter back from a long injury layoff. The English striker has proven far more instrumental than Backe or GM Erik Soler could’ve foreseen, and Saturday’s return marked a long, arduous road back to the field for him.
“Yeah I felt really good. I’ve been out ten weeks, and I got through it. Even though it was only ten minutes it was a high-paced game. I’ve been training the last two days I haven’t had a reaction since. It’s been a long road, and I’m just glad to come to the end of it,’’ said Rodgers, who says he’s ready to extend his minutes.
“Yeah, definitely. I’ve been training now, the last two weeks now, a week with the first team and a week with the physio, so there’s no reason why I can’t do 30 minutes, definitely.’’
In the dozen games Rodgers played alongside Henry, the Red Bulls looked championship-quality, 5-3-4 for 19 points while outscoring their foes 22-11. In all the rest of their games, they’ve looked fortunate MLS has no relegation, just 1-3-11 for 13 points and outscored 20-27.
“I just think we had a great rhythm; when all our players were fit me and Titi were up front scoring goals, I don’t think anyone could touch us,’’ said Rodgers. “Then I got injured and people went away on Gold Cup, you’ve got people being sent off and it just disorientates the team.
“If we can get back, it’s a massive seven games now, and we’re so lucky that we’re still in there with a chance. I feel as if everyone’s coming back at the right time to get into the playoffs.’’