The Red Bulls moved today’s practice to Saturday, while the Galaxy spent much of the day traveling from Los Angeles for Sunday’s Western Conference semifinal at Red Bull Arena. But here are some tidbits from what Red Bull coach Hans Backe and centerback Tim Ream had to say to the media today, in advance of Sunday’s 3 p.m. playoff tilt.
RED BULLS HEAD COACH HANS BACKE
On when he felt things could turn around:
I think definitely the key was when we won the game against Philadelphia, it looked like the upcoming sessions after that game, (we were) mentally relieved, because the sessions were absolutely the two best sessions so far during the season. So it definitely kind of changed when we won against Philadelphia and went into the playoffs.
On the matchup with Los Angeles:
(We’re) looking forward to it. Definitely, we’re playing the best team in the league. They’ve been outstanding, picking up 67 points, doing well in the Champions League, they have absolutely the best roster in the league. Every game so far – the four games we’ve played against Los Angele – (over the past two seasons) have been quality games. I must say it’s been a different kind of game. I would call it more like a European game when we play Galaxy. It’s not that hectic 90 minutes, you get a little bit more time and space when you get Galaxy. I’m quite sure I’ll players will lift their game when you play the big guns like Galaxy.
On what the team will do at right back with Jan Gunnar Solli suspended:
It has to be (Carlos) Mendes, that’s the option we have playing at right fullback. It will be probably be a better defense. Jan is more of an attacking player, Carlos is more of a holding right fullback, so we will be different and we will have probably not the same attacking game from Carlos Mendes.
On if Mendes playing in place of Solli will affect the team’s attack:
I don’t think so, I still think Carlos is good enough to perhaps not going for overlaps for 90 minutes, but definitely he’s a right fullback that can give support to the wide player in the attacking game. I don’t think it will be like Roy (Miller, left back) has to do more in the attacking game. I still think we will be quite well balanced in the attack.
On why he thinks the team is able to raise its game for big situations:
I think we have a lot of guys that have been involved in big games in big leagues in Europe. And I think when they have their backs on the wall, they just mentally lift the game, and so when they can smell playoffs, important games – playing L.A. is a little bit different – I think mentally you raise your game. It’s difficult to say why, but that’s the way it is. But it’s been kind of a different game, the playing style against L.A. As I said it’s a little bit more possible to have possession, you’re not that much under pressure when you start your attacking game, so it’s been a little bit of a different type of game.
NEW YORK RED BULLS DEFENDER TIM REAM
On the team’s recent defensive improvements:
I think the biggest thing is just the four guys in the back being a lot more comfortable, and at the same time we’re defending as a team now. It’s not just a bunch of individuals trying to defend one-on-one situations, we have pressure and cover all over the field and we’ve set two really solid blocks with the midfielders and defenders. And we know that Frank (Rost) is going to come up huge for us if we do make a mistake. So I think it’s a combination of trying to be comfortable with everyone along the backline and having good communication. Also, having that midfield block in front of us, intercepting so many passes and disrupting everything.
On if the constant pressure over the last month will wear down the team:
I think it’s going the opposite direction of a letdown. I think we’ve definitely gotten stronger and I think mentally we’re all on such a good state of mind right now and pleased with the way we’re winning games and playing, that we definitely could get even (sharper) and continue to play well.
On how he feels he has performed this season:
Obviously I’d be the first one to tell you that I’ve been frustrated with the performances I’ve had this year. I definitely feel like I’m not completely back to the way I was playing last year, but I’m gradually making my way back there and I feel more and more comfortable as the games and weeks go on, I’m definitely feeling confident again, it’s good to feel that way going into the playoffs. You’re always going to look back on the season and certain games and critique yourself and get down on yourself. But a the end of the day everybody makes mistakes, and ours just happened to be in front of 20,000 people and in front of reporters, so it’s just one of those things where you have to put everything past you and move forward.
On the team changing its style of play, and if that style is more conducive to winning in the playoffs:
I think its definitely a sort of change that we’ve had to understand and go through. We learned the hard way that we can’t play pretty soccer all the time and win games. That’s not what the league is really built on. Obviously the teams that are grittier and fight harder and for each other are the most successful. Now that we understand that we can play that way and get through a certain stretch in the beginning of the game or the middle of the game, we know that our skills and the guys we have and style we’d like to play will eventually come out if we work hard defensively and work hard for each other.