What has been a long, slow bloodletting _ a two-month slide from atop the Eastern Conference to the precipice of falling from playoff contention _ reached new frustrating depths tonight. In a must-win home game against MLS’ worst team, they were held to a 1-1 tie by woebegone Vancouver and saw their postseason hopes dimmed.
Even despite Juan Agudelo’s equalizer and a late push, the high-priced Red Bulls _ with stars Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez _ have been one of the biggest disappointments in league history. Against an expansion team that’s never won a road game, they went a man down and saw their winless skid reach eight games _ falling to 6-6-15 and potentially out of the last playoff spot.
“It hurts,’’ said midfielder Dax McCarty. “It’s tough. We’re not stupid; we’re under no illusions here; we’re in the business of making the playoffs, and right now we’re hanging on by the thinnest thread you could possibly find. None of us are satisfied.’’
“It just comes down to heart, making sure we keep a clean sheet. It seems like every mistake we get punished for. It’s frustrating, but we’re not out of it yet, no matter what the media or fans may think. We’re a confident group. We’ve got to get a win, bottom line. We keep saying that; we keep going with this whole theme of next game has got to be a win. It’s all BS until we actually put it together.’’
They’d come into last night clinging precariously to the fourth and final wild-card spot with 32 points. They were tied with expansion Portland but holding the tiebreaker edge, and both drew last night. They were just a point ahead of D.C. United and Chivas USA _ who played each other last night in L.A. _ with Henry and coach Hans Backe both calling it a “must-win” to pick up a full three points.
In the end, they were found wanting. They crowd of 19,684 left Red Bull Arena booed lustily at halftime and a huge banner reading Go Backe Home hung in the upper deck at midfield, in reference to under-fire coach.
After controlling play early, they started getting beat down both wings and allowed Dave Chiumiento’s goal in the 23rd minute. French striker Eric Hassli reversed the field and played the ball across to Camilo, who turned the corner on right back Jan Gunnar Solli. He played the ball back to Chiumiento, who volleyed it off the woodwork and in.
Matters got worse when Solli barged into Camilo in the 46th minute and was sent off with a straight red for denying a goalscoring opportunity that left the Red Bulls stunned.
“No, it’s not a red card,’’ Backe said. “First of all it’s got to be an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to get a red card. Carlos Mendes is behind, Solli shoulder-to-shoulder, it’s too far out to be a goal-scoring opportunity, so of course it’s not a red card.’’
But playing a man down, they came from behind. Backe went to his bench and called on Agudelo; and the 18-year-old made good. Rafa Marquez played a perfect diagonal ball to the far post, and Agudelo slid behind left back John Thorrington and volleyed it out of the air for a brilliant 68th-minute equalizer, his sixth goal of the year.
“I was very happy to see him make a difference, really showing the passion. He was physically strong, he had pace,’’ Backe said. “That’s what you want to see when you sub a player. It was great to see him perform like that.’’
The Red Bulls completely dominated the latter stages, an Agudelo header saved with Dane Richards’ shot off the rebound stopped as well. And after Luke Rodgers came on in the 80th minute _ his first appearance since July 10, due to plantar fasciitis _ Henry drew a free kick in the 86th, which he took and forced a save on.
But the Red Bulls _ despite switching from a 4-4-1 to an aggressive 4-3-2 and holding a 4-0 edge in shots on goal from the 68th minute on _ just couldn’t find the winner. They tied this year’s Chicago Fire for the MLS record for draws; but with seven games left on the schedule, that record seems sure to fall.
Solli will have to sit out next week in Dallas, but they’ll get back Teemu Tainio while Rodgers should be able to see extended minutes, giving Backe more options up front.
“For me it’s brilliant to get back on the pitch. I didn’t feel anything,’’ said Rodgers. “It would’ve been nice to come on and get the winning goal. It never happened; hopefully it’ll happen next week in Dallas.’’