One year ago, Tim Cahill proved himself to be an integral part of a New York Red Bulls team that won their first major trophy in team history. He seemed to embody the all of the things that made that team special. It may not have always been pretty, but no team wanted it more during the regular season than the Red Bulls. They refused to give up, regardless of circumstance. Late game winners became common place. The RBNY fan base knew that any time Cahill left his feet in the opponent’s box, there was a chance for a touch of magic from the Aussie.
This year has been a completely different story. Cahill’s production has evaporated into thin air, and his confidence seems to be at an all-time low. His presence on the field has been scarce, and his ability to dictate or even affect the game on the offensive side of the ball has been devoid for some time. It is hard to reconcile these two completely different Cahills. How can a player who showed so strongly last year, and again at the world cup this year (That goal!), have fallen so far? Is he capable of reminding us of the player we knew and loved? Can he rise above his role as the forgotten man? The answer is somewhat complex. In order to understand Cahill’s issues, we have to look at what is different this year.
For one, his position has been far more ambiguous. It is true that he has played as one of the two central midfielders in a flat 4-4-2 formation for most of last year, but the demands of the position have changed. Last year, there seemed to be a pressing need for Cahill to find himself in the box making late runs and meeting the ball in the air. This is a common thread in his career. Eventually, he made his way to the frontline. Dax McCarty was paired with Peguy Lyundula, and Cahill pushed into the frontline. This year, he was reverted back into the midfield, as Bradley Wright-Phillips became a somewhat prolific goal scorer (Although to be fair, and as Henry has said, he could have 40 or more goals this year already.). That leaves Cahill to play in a deeper position. Before the formal switch to 4-2-3-1, Henry had already drifted out wide to the left wing on most occasions, leaving Wright-Phillips alone as the striker. Attacks were much quicker, which left Cahill less time to find himself in the box. As I have mentioned previously, Wright-Phillips is a goal scorer, not a passer. His penchant for giving the ball away means that Cahill rarely gets into important attacking positions before needing to retreat and defend. Simply enough, moving Cahill further away from the opposing 18-yard box has neutralized his attacking opportunities.
Last year also saw Cahill with a unique opportunity in the offense. Henry and Espindola both had a tendency to drift out wide which opened up space for Cahill through the middle. This space is currently being occupied by BWP. Cahill could come in as support, but with Lloyd Sam and Eric Alexander (Or whoever else was playing on the left side) cutting inside, Cahill become much more responsible for maintaining the team structure for defensive reasons. When all the midfielders attack, the Red Bulls become susceptible to the quick strike, which has been the bane of their existence this year.
Now with the tactical switch, Cahill has found himself without a spot on the field. He could play at the Top of the 4-2-3-1, but that is a position that does not suit him. Though he is more than proficient passing the ball, he doesn’t have the pace or skill to beat defenders off the dribble. There are two other options; either have Cahill play as the holding midfielder alongside Dax McCarty, focusing on the dirty work and breaking up attacks, like Alexander, or play him in the middle of the three-man midfield. Next to McCarty is a good bet, but playing him in such a deep position will negate his mercurial talents in the air. On the other hand, while Cahill is a hardworking player and is a good passer, he isn’t the top choice to be the designated playmaker. He has never shown the ability to play that killer pass from a deeper position in the midfield. That role is much more suited for Peguy Lyundula. For the time being, that means Cahill finds himself on the bench. As a player, he can’t be happy about his current situation, but as a good teammate, I can’t see him rocking the boat or doing anything but honoring the coach’s wishes.
Rumors swirled in the transfer window that Cahill was looking to make a move abroad, and that may well be, but I can’t fathom his drop in form is due to his head being elsewhere. If nothing else, Cahill has proven himself to be a true professional that will put the needs of the team before his own. Let’s hope that is still the case. For now, Cahill will have to be happy with being a super sub. A player called upon at the death, in the time of miracles. As Tim Cahill has shown in his time in New York, he is more than capable of doing just that.
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