After coughing up a season-high five goals last weekend and seeing their four-game undefeated streak snapped by Chicago, the Red Bulls look to get back on track Saturday in Toronto (4:30 p.m., MSG Plus), and that starts with defense.
They will have to play without stalwart Costa Rican left back Roy Miller and dogged Australian midfielder Tim Cahill, both away for World Cup duty with their respective national teams. Miller is their longest-tenured player and having his best MLS season, and Cahill brings strong midfield work. Both are expected to miss four games.
To make matters worse, Japanese right back Kosuke Kimura struggled mightily against the Fire, committing several costly mental gaffes. Unless they’re banking on getting hat-tricks from Bradley Wright-Phillips every week, the Red Bulls need to tighten things in the back line if they want to contend.
“One person’s absence, whether it be through injury, World Cup, whatever it is, is another player’s opportunity, and we have some guys that are raring to go and are hungry,” coach Mike Petke said. “So that’s really how you deal with that, you put it in the guys’ heads that they have an opportunity now to show and then you move on from there.’’
Replacing Cahill is the most straightforward. With Peguy Luyindula doubtful because of a calf injury he suffered Thursday, they can move Eric Alexander back inside and start Jonny Steele wide left. Bobby Convey or Connor Lade could step in for Miller, or Petke could move Kimura to the left and pick between Richard Eckersley and Chris Duvall.
Whoever starts, they’ll deal with an improved Toronto FC team, which won on Wednesday to advance to the Canadian finals. Yes, star midfielder Michael Bradley is away with the U.S. national team, but the squad’s other expensive additions — English international Jermaine Defoe, Brazilian National Team keeper Julio César and countryman Gilberto — will all be there.
“It’s going to be a difficult game. [Toronto is] doing well this year. There’s a difference. They used to struggle, but this year they’re doing well, so it’s going to be another important game for us,’’ Thierry Henry said. “Obviously after what happened with Chicago, we’re going to have to do well and make sure we don’t concede early and try to go back to [defending] as a unit.’’
Wright-Phillips, Henry’s red-hot strike partner, has poured in an MLS-high nine goals — all but one coming in the last four games. But he agreed that the key to a result at BMO Field will come on the other end.
“I feel like — me personally — that when we go there, just try and keep a clean sheet. Just keep it tight at the back because, with the players we got, with all our attacking threats we’re bound to get a chance,’’ Wright-Phillips said. “If we keep it tight as a team — and not just defenders — as a team, we’ll be all right.’’
The fourth-round pairings for the U.S. Open Cup have the Red Bulls facing the winner of the May 28 tilt between the New York Cosmos and Brooklyn Italians. The game would be between June 10-18, the Red Bulls hosting the Italians or playing at Shuart Stadium in Hempstead if against the Cosmos.