As the MLS season passes its midpoint, the View from South Ward rolls on!
The tie in Toronto may have put RBNY Coach Mike Petke back into anger management classes. During a conference call with members of the media, Petke admitted to committing a violent act.
“I’ve watched every one of our games, but I literally got the DVD, I cracked it in half and threw it out. I don’t think I could watch that game again. I chalk it up to whatever excuses I can muster up in my mind, because that’s the only way I’ll be able to enjoy my day.’’
Everyone who bore (emphasis on the BORE) witness to the lack of effort from both sides last Saturday knows the feeling. During the same presser, Petke also started to admit that the Red Bulls may need to shore up their offense. The amazing thing is that they broke out and scored 4 against Montreal just two weeks ago. Also, one has to wonder if he yelled out “PETKE SMASH” when he broke the DVD, because that would have been just perfect.
To that end, Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh acquired former Barclay’s Premier League and League 1 striker Bradley Wright-Phillips. BWP was ecstatic to sign up to play next to Thierry Henry. Bradley, however, is a troubled lad. He has been linked to several acts of violence and theft. Looking at that, he will fit right in as a fine upstanding New Yorker. Being that I lived and grew up in the boroughs, I can make that joke.
Speaking of Henry, maybe he likes it here in New York after all. He unveiled a new tattoo, a sleeve, featuring his daughter along with several NYC landmarks.
Now, we go from the saccharine to the surreal. Chivas USA took some heat this week after being accused on HBO Real Sports for discriminating against taking on players of anything other than Mexican or Mexican-American descent. Honestly, that philosophy has worked out for them in spades. They’re sitting high in the standings, right at the bottom of the league.
Speaking of Mexico, when did the Mexican National team lose their cojones? Their loss to Panama in the Gold Cup semis… no bueno.
One last, quick note before we get into the Red Bulls next trial by fire against the league leading Real Salt Lake; with the CONCACAF Gold Cup going on, there has been more footy to enjoy than should be allowed by law. With that said, and I’m aware that this is a week old, how glorious was Landon Donovan’s first international goal in what feels like a lifetime? His Shawshank Redemption moment, complete with falling rain, was truly and positively epic. And then to score two more in the semis, can we all please accept the fact the Donovan has earned a place on the USMNT that goes to Rio next year to compete for the World Cup?
And now before I bid adieu, let’s roll right into Harrison, New Jersey, for RBNY vs RSL.
We’re going to cut right to the chase here; the Red Bulls got out to an unlikely 2-0 lead on a set piece and a soft pk awarded on Brandon Barklage’s embellished face plant. Not to be out done, RSL pulled 2-1 before the half on an equally soft pk. Petke seemed to feel his team losing control of the game before the half. RSL was buzzing about, and RBNY had stopped dominating. The turning point, in my opinion, was Thierry Henry’s post shot. If that was even one millimeter to the left, or there had been another Red Bulls attacker running to goal to net the rebound, 3-0 would have been a game changer. Instead, there we were, 2-1 at the half.
Real Salt Lake went to work , and they went up 3-2 on a complete Alvaro Saborio hat trick. The third goal, honestly, was especially breathtaking. What went on in the next 15 minutes was nerve racking and totally improbable. First, yet another weak call, resulting in an Fabian Espindola penalty kick. Then, in stoppage time, Dax McCarty converted a beautiful cross with a diving header. Yes, I just used Dax McCarty and header in the same sentence.
The Red Bulls are now one point out of first place in the Eastern Conference. They sit in third place in the Supporters Shield race. Even with the elation and the ecstasy produced by this emotional victory, echoes of last week’s lackluster draw in Toronto still ring clear. IF they had pulled out a win at BMO Field a week ago, they would sit in first place in both the Eastern Conference and the Supporters Shield race. Maybe it’s time to solve the consistency issue that has plagued the team for years. If THAT can be fixed, MAYBE, just MAYBE, Petke and his players can achieve something no New York squad has achieved, and bring an MLS Cup to Harrison.
Next week, the Red Bulls hit the road again to Columbus to take on the Crew. By the way, Columbus fell victim to something that hasn’t happened in over a year, a Toronto FC win at their home park of BMO Field!
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Main Photo Credit: Football365.net, CC
