OVERVIEW:
Week 1 was a resounding success for the Red Bulls, securing a win in dominating fashion over the Columbus Crew. This week, the Bulls face arguably a more formidable opponent in their first away game of the season. The Bulls are currently one of four teams in the league that is undefeated. FC Dallas, similiarly, has not tasted defeat this season, but they haven’t achieved victory either. This game could very well give either team its first blemish of their 2008 season.
CURRENT STANDING:
……………………….PTS
Kansas City …………6
New England ………6
Chicago ……………….4
Columbus ……………3
New York ……………3
D.C. United ………….3
Toronto FC ………….0
INJURIES:
Angel - Hamstring - 1-2 weeks
Freeman - 6-8 weeks - MCL
Richards - 8-12 weeks - (has started light participation at training sessions)
Eric Brunner - indefinite
David Roth - 6-8 weeks - knee
PROJECTED LINEUP:
=======Altidore====Echeverry=======
Borman=====Reyna=======Sassano
====Van Den Bergh==Stammler======
===Leitch===Goldthwaite===Mendes===
==========Conway==============
BEHIND THE SCENES:
+ Angel will be unavailable this week due to a lingering sore hamstring injury. Jozy Altidore is set to start in his place, possibly along side Echeverry.
+ Kenny Cooper came back last week from a year long injury, scoring two goals against Houston. This week, he faces a depleted New York backline.
+ Jeff Parke will be unavailable due to the red card received last week, after two questionable yellows were called.
+ It will be interesting to see the roll Dave Van Den Bergh will play this week after scoring a bouncing field turf goal last week. Sinisa Ubiparipovic showed some bright spots last week, such as stripping Schelotto, which lead to that first goal by Van Den Bergh, but was mostly quiet during the rest of the game. This may create the room for Danleigh Borman, rookie from South Africa, to earn his first start on the wing, pushing Van Den Bergh to a central midfield / central defensive midfield roll.
KEY MATCHUPS:
Kenny Cooper v. Goldthwaite, Leitch, Mendes
With the leader of the back three, Jeff Parke, out due to last weeks card, this may present an opportunity for the massive and talented FC Dallas forward Kenny Cooper to abuse the defense. The lone ingredient that makes what we see on paper rather skewed is the coaching of Juan Carlos Osorio, whom last week displayed that he can produce a quality defensive side with parts some would consider lacking. Will that coaching magic be able to produce enough to stop this Mack Truck?
Altidore v. Davino
Young Lion, meet Old Lion. Davino has become the leader and center piece of the FC Dallas defense. It will be interesting to see young Altidore take on a man of Davino’s experience and defensive ability. Ultimately, Altidore may be able to take advantage of the slower Davino’s pace, but experience can play a part in this matchup that can very well make this battle a toss up.
PREDICTION:
Red Bulls tie the Hoops on the road, 2-2.
Goals by:
+ Jozy Altidore
+ Claudio Reyna
+ Kenny Cooper (2)
