The Red Bulls took another drop in Power Rankings this week after falling to the Dynamo 2-0 at BBVA Compass Stadium Friday night.
Despite the outcome, let’s extract three positives:
- New York remains within reach of reclaiming first place. The rematch against Houston this Friday night at Red Bull Arena can catapult them back into the top of the Eastern Conference.
- No one in Red Bulls camp is shrugging this one off. Not a single player or coach is happy with the outcome and the team seems deadest on reversing things later this week.
- New York has locked things down at home all season long, as indicated by their 7-0-3 record on the pitch at RBA
So yes, the Red Bulls drop a bit this time around in the rankings but there’s just as good a chance as any that they flip the script and take three from Houston Friday night.
Let’s see what people are saying about the club this week.
MLSsoccer.com
drops the Red Bulls to sixth overall:
“Well, they have another Designated Player, but that didn't get the job done in a big, big game against Houston. They'll have another crack at the Dynamo on Friday, and the hope will be that they don't allow so much time and space in the midfield.”
Sports Illustrated believes the return of Dax McCarty could be the thing the team needs to exact revenge on Houston, as
Avi Creditor also placed New York in the No. 6 spot
:
"Just how important is Dax McCarty to the Red Bulls? The club's midfield was completely dominated in Houston, making McCarty's suspension-caused absence more glaring than Tim Cahill's MLS debut."
Soccer by Ives dropped New York
from fourth to fifth overall:
"Well that probably wasn't how Tim Cahill imagined his debut. For as many attacking pieces as New York has acquired, the defense remains suspect. The back line will get a mulligan of sorts against the Dynamo, though, as New York will play host when the two sides meet for second straight Friday night at Red Bull Arena, where the club is 7-0-3."
ESPN also has the Red Bulls placed fifth overall
:
"New York spoiled Tim Cahill's debut with a wretched defensive display against Houston. Things figure to get better when holding midfielder Dax McCarty returns from suspension, but questions still abound about the Red Bulls back line."
What's your take on this week's power rankings?
