Leander Schaerlaeckens writes that the New York Red Bulls are a team not only in danger of missing the playoffs, but one that could become the biggest flop inAmerican professional soccer history. Even if the Red Bulls were unlucky last Saturday to emerge from the field with no more than a 2-2 tie against Chicago, their 13th tie in 25 games, they didlittle to rectify the damage they have inflicted on themselves this season. Nor did they stop short of spending more time harassing the referee than their opponents.
Like the rain had allnight, the boos started to stream down on the home team. The Red Bulls stood with their hands on their hips, shocked, but then again not at all surprised. It’s been that kind of year.
Bankrolled by the Austrian energy drink, the Red Bulls are the most expensively assembled team in the MLS’s 16-year history. They were much-hyped during the preseason. Yet they are sinking withouttrace. They are 1-4-5 in their past 10 MLS games. They have won one league game since June 10 and two since April. And those wins came against the lowly New England Revolution and Toronto FC.
Ask the team itself what is afflicting it and you’ll mostly get denial, deflection or outright delusion. “Ask the boss,” said Thierry Henry. “That’s the guy you need to ask.” Whenasked, the boss, Hans Backe, answered with a cold stare. “There’s nine games to go,” he snapped. “Then we can analyze this season.”
It’s the back line: Consisting of guys like Tim Ream (the apparent future of the USMNT). Marques is the only defender RBNY have. Also, it would help if you have a playmaker to get the ball to Henry.