New York Red Bulls: Three hopes, one fear
By Sean Maslin
Hope #2: That they can continue to avoid allowing early goals.
There is perhaps no bigger confidence killer than allowing an early goal. Particulary in the postseason one early goal can cripple a team. Go ask D.C. United who found themselves behind on Wednesday night just four minutes into their match against the Impact. Montreal are one of the best sides in MLS in terms of scoring early and making their opponents chase.
The good news for Red Bulls supporters is that their side having shown an uncanny ability to keep their opponents away from the back of the their net. The club allowed just three goals in the first fifteen minutes in all of their regular season matches this season. Three. Considering that the last one occurred against New York City FC back in early July it is safe to say that the Red Bulls defense has improved vastly since their difficult 1-6-0 start.
As opposed to season’s past it appears that the Red Bulls are putting more of an emphasis on their defense and making decisive clears. In season’s past the club seemed like there were four players on the back-line each with their own agenda. The communication was not always the best and the Red Bulls were prone to mental mistakes.
There are two reasons for this change. First, the center-back combination of Aurelien Collin and Damien Perrinelle have worked together to keep teams from pouring down the center of the pitch. Watching them play the two are always talking to another, always paying attention to where the other is on the pitch. Perhaps it is due to both being French but they genuinely seem to get along and have developed a rapport.
Second, Chris Duvall has come back from injury and thrived. Duvall sustained a broken right leg last season and was a big question mark at the start of the season not necessarily because of him but because of the time that it takes to get back from such an injury. But in 24 matches he showed little to no rust and immediately became one of the top right-backs in the league. The time off also seemed to help him with his tracking. As opposed to in the past where he used his speed to keep up with attackers he better positions himself in narrowing attacking windows.