OVERVIEW:
Week 5 is underway, and the Bulls prepare for the expansion San Jose Earthquakes in this, their fourth official fixture of the season. The injury bug continues to ravage the Red Bulls depth, and Marco Echeverry has now been declared unfit to play, and will be gone for at least four weeks.
Meanwhile, San Jose comes to Giants Stadium on a bit of a winning streak. Okay, its one win, but for an expansion side, that just may qualify as a streak.
Will San Jose be able to take advantage of the undermanned and wounder Red Bulls?
CURRENT STANDING (including Thursdays Crew v. DC game):
……………………….GMS……….PTS
Kansas City …………5………….10
New England ………6…………..10
Columbus ……………4………….9
Chicago ……………….4………….7
Toronto FC ………….4…………6
New York ………….3…………..4
D.C. United ………….4……….3
INJURIES:
Freeman - (has started light participation at training sessions)
Richards - (has started light participation at training sessions)
Eric Brunner - (has started light participation at training sessions)
David Roth - 3-4 weeks - knee
Marco Echeverry - 4-6 weeks
PROJECTED LINEUP:
=======Altidore====Wolyniec=======
Van Den Bergh==Magee=======Sassano
====Stammler========Reyna======
===Goldthwaite==Parke===Leitch===
==========Conway==============
BEHIND THE SCENES:
+ The forward lines take another blow as both JP Angel and Marco Echeverry are out for this game. Wolyniec is looking to take a start for this one.
+ Expect a few players to see their first action of the year, including Mike Magee, Chris Megaloudis and/or Eric Brunner
+ Chris Leitch, though scolded and vilified for his back turning performance on the wall against the Larentowitcz goal last week, is expected to start Sunday.
+ Kei Kamara recently lost a brother, which is why he broke down on the field last week against Colorado after scoring his goal. Faith and motivation can take a person a long way. Kamara will be a danger.
+ San Jose is looking for their first winning streak in their revitalized franchise history. All engines will be revved up for this one.
KEY MATCHUPS:
Jozy Altidore v. Cochrane, Garcia
Once again, Jozy is being asked to carry the offensive responsibilities for the team. This time, he faces a vicious defensive duo, which ranks with some of the best in the league. Ryan Cochrane and Nick Garcia, captain of this San Jose squad, will be looking to shut down the only true offensive threat they will encounter this Sunday. Its up to Jozy to make them look foolish, as he did to Igwe and Heaps last Saturday.
Dave Van Den Bergh v. James Riley
Van Den Bergh will have to compensate for his lack of speed in order to work his way around the feisty James Riley. Riley has become a key cog in the Earthquakes machine, playing persistant defense and throwing in solid crosses from the wings when pushing up. Will Van Den Berghs experience be able to out due James Rileys tenacity?
Jon Conway v. The San Jose Earthquakes.
Its Conway v. the entire SJ team come this Sunday. Knowing the wounded state of the Red Bulls team, expect a barrage of shots from various directions, in an attempt to make New York beat themselves, and not vice versa.
PREDICTION:
No disrespect to San Jose, but even with their depleted lines, the Red Bulls have a near healthy backline and keeper that should be able enough to push aside any threats, and the superstar in Jozy, along with the leadership of Claudio Reyna, to overcome the odds. Red Bulls win 2-1.
Goals by:
+ Jozy Altidore (2 - one with a Reyna assist)+ Gavin Glinton (with a Kamara, O’Brien assist)
