Each manager came into the match fearing his team was worn-out. Salt Lake was playing their third match in 8 days and had suffered a loss on Wednesday night in Kansas City. New York traveled to London and played games on Saturday and Sunday before making the trek back across the pond to Salt Lake City.
Real’s Strategy
Jason Kreis maintained his usual 4-4-2 diamond formation. However, his lineup surprised by putting an enormous amount of faith into 17 year old Luis Gil and starting him in the #10 role behind Saborio and Espindola. Schuler stepped in to pair with Borchers in defense due to the Olave hamstring injury. Other than that, the familiar lineup is well established. Salt Lake aimed to pressure all the way up the pitch which flustered New York’s back line. Saborio and Espindola did yeomen’s work chasing down Ream and Marquez, even making back passes to Rost difficult.
New York’s Strategy
Hans Backe made a few tactical changes to his typical lineup. Solli moved up from right back to right midfield. Also, Agudelo got the start up top for the injured Luke Rogers. The US international struggled to make his mark on the match, often drifting wide right to try and find space or pick up the ball. McCarty and Ballouchy paired in central midfield due to the absence of Tainio, who many believe is one of the lynchpins to New York’s success. Henry played his usual second striker or “incisive” playmaker role and New York played a 4-4-1-1.
RSL Fast Start Pays Off
New York looked out classed and out of energy from the start. Real began the match with an exercise in passing the ball around the pitch, which lasted for around two minutes. The pressure from RSL made it difficult for New York to keep possession and work the ball up the pitch. This domination in the run of play paid off in the 13th minute. Beckerman swung in an in swinging corner towards the six yard box. Borchers was able to beat Ream to the inside and head it home for the opening goal. The Red Bulls have conceded the most goals from set pieces in the MLS, which was a key for Real to capitalize on since they have struggled to score in open play since the injury to Javi Morales.
Goal Just Before Halftime Deflates NYRB
With a 1-nil lead, Salt Lake kept the pressure on upon giving the ball away. New York looked casual when passing the ball around the back and a few times passed the ball to Rost putting him in a tricky spot.
When New York was able to hold onto the ball, they still had problems attacking. Tainio was very sorely missed in central midfield as the Red Bulls had nobody to challenge Beckerman and Gil in the center of the pitch, or win the ball back and find an outlet pass to Henry. McCarty and Ballouchy have a good passing radius, but were unable to pick up the ball from the center backs and find their playmakers. As a result, New York had to play down the flanks or Henry had to drop deeper to collect the ball. Play down the left side between Miller and LIndpere produced a few crosses, but down the right Richards speed was missed and Solli was ineffective in midfield. Additionally, Henry dropping deep meant that he was now 40 yards from goal and could not get close enough to the penalty area to slip in a through ball or fire a shot to test Rimando.
For Real, Luis Gil was the player running their show. He has an expansive soccer mind for a young player; always making himself available for a pass and being able to hold off challengers in midfield. Kreis must think highly of Gil to put him in the toughest role on the pitch; especially the way Salt Lake has struggled creating chances.
Two minutes before the half, Real’s pressure paid dividends. The Red Bulls had a throw in deep in their own half. Albright threw it to Marquez who could only half clear. Beckerman first time poked the poor clearance to Gil who was 20 yards from goal. Gil blasted a low right footed shot from the left side to the far corner, which doubled Real’s lead.
Second Half a Formality
Backe tried to inject life into his side by making halftime adjustments. Rost went off with an injury and was replaced in goal by Kondoul. Rafa Marquez was brought into midfield in place of Dax McCarty and Keel was brought on to play center back.
The Red Bulls boss attempted to breathe fire into his team, but it was never going to happen. The second half played out like a preseason friendly as it lacked intensity, almost seeming like a requirement rather than a regular season match. The Red Bulls best chance came from a corner where Agudelo put his header wide.
Finally, RSL sealed three points in the 76th minute when Roy Miller was whistled for a handball in the box off of a corner. The left back was unlucky as he was in a crowd, but the infringement left the referee no choice. Saborio stepped up and made it 3-nil.
Conclusions
For New York, chalk this demolition up to an Emirates Cup hangover. One thing I would be worried about though is the form of Agudelo. He has yet to mesh with Henry the way Luke Rogers has, which is why he has been left on the bench.
RSL fans should be excited about the way their team performed, coming off a tough loss. Kreis must have circled the wagons quickly and instilled confidence back into his side. The squad was full of energy and played a very tactical pressing game. This style is so tough to play against and foreign to how most MLS sides approach defending, which is why RSL will be tough to beat in the post season.
Thoughts on the match?
Tweet us @kpngacleansheet
Or write on our Facebook Wall
No comments:
Post a Comment