As the Red Bulls close in on their second Eastern Conference title in three years, two players who were not there in 2013, but who are big contributors this season, are looking forward to the honor.
Both, however, insist this is only the first step to greater things.
“That would be a good thing. Obviously that’s what we play for,” defender Ronald Zubar said. “We play to have success. We work hard and we play to win titles. It has been a special year so far. Everybody here didn’t expect this much success because it’s a new staff, a lot of new players on the team. Just to settle down so quickly has been unbelievable.
“With all of the injury problems I had this season I had to watch my team play (without me). I really enjoyed the team. I would enjoy this because we are really close with each other. We share a lot of things. Everything’s coming together, and if we can work hard we can look forward to MLS Cup now.”
The Red Bulls (16-9-6, 54 points) can clinch the conference crown with two games to play with a win or a tie tonight against Toronto FC in Toronto.
“That would be great, but you just have to take it one step at a time, but that would be a good accomplishment for me and the team because we were really pushing to do that,” defender Kemar Lawrence said. “We were really pushing to win the next three games that we have and go in the next round on top. That’s really the plan right now.”
Neither player played in the 3-0 victory over Toronto Aug. 15 at Red Bull Arena. Coach Jesse Marsch went with a back line of Connor Lade, Matt Miazga, Karl Ouimette and Anthony Wallace. All that patchwork defense did was shut out one of the most potent attacks in Major League Soccer.
It was also a result that convinced Red Bulls fans of the possibilities of the season. If a defense missing Lawrence, Zubar and Damien Perrinelle could shut down Toronto, what defense couldn’t the Red Bulls shut down?
The Red Bulls have won three of the past four games and are one victory away from tying the 2013 team with 17, with games against the Philadelphia Union and Chicago Fire still to come.
“We had good results the last few games away and didn’t concede a lot of goals, so we try to do the same thing,” Zubar said. “Just be strong as a team and just go out there with confidence and we can come back with some points.”
Toronto midfielder Michael Bradley has returned to the club after being released for the match by United States national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann following the 3-2 loss to Mexico in extra time on Saturday in Pasadena, Calif. Though Bradley played the entire 120 minutes, he is projected to be in the starting lineup, according to a story on Toronto FC’s web site.
However, forwards Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco are not. Altidore remained with the U.S. squad for Tuesday night’s game against Costa Rica at Red Bull Arena, while Giovinco was in Rome as Italy played Norway in its final qualifier for the 2016 European Championship.
Altidore started and played the first 45 minutes in the 1-0 U.S. loss, while Giovinco played the final 28 minutes of Italy’s 2-1 victory.
In a matchup of Red Bulls teammates, Ouimette started and played the first half of Canada’s 1-1 tie against Ghana in a friendly at RFK Stadium in Washington, and Lloyd Sam, earning his first call-up to Ghana, was a second-half substitute. Both were expected to fly to Toronto today and could be available off the bench.
Lawrence said it really didn’t matter if Toronto’s stars play, the Red Bulls will play their usual style no matter what.
“They have really good players and on any day they can do great things for their team,” he said. “We’re really just going there to play the way we normally play, try to close things down and play as fast as possible, try and keep those players off the ball as much as we can. Our game plan is really the same. We’re going to put things on our terms and play the way we normally do.”
Zubar agreed, but seemed a bit relieved to hear Giovinco may not play.
“Obviously, every team wants to have their best players out there,” he said. “We don’t focus about the opponent. We just focus about us and make sure we can execute our plan. Right now, our plan is make sure we focus on the game. They have a top forward and a player on the wing in Bradley and Giovinco and they are a big part of Toronto’s success.
“To be honest, (Giovinco) is the kind of player I don’t like. I really like a player like me, taller, physical. It’s nothing really, we just try to be tight on him, don’t give him too much space because he’s the kind of player if he has space he can do anything he wants because he’s good on the ball, he’s quick, he’s a clever guy. We see how many goals he’s scored this year and his assists. Mostly every goal they’ve scored has to do with him. We just have to make sure we’re tight on him, but not just focus on him, but on the team. We know that if he’s quiet on the day we’ll probably have a good night.”
Lawrence, who missed the Columbus Crew game Oct. 3 due to personal reasons and sat out the Montreal Impact game Oct. 7, said everything is fine and he is ready for the final run to the playoffs.
“I’m good, everything is good with me and the team,” he said. “Just some stuff I had to go back home for, but it’s all okay.
“I got some rest and coach has really been lenient with me. He’s been great with me. He rested me when I needed to rest and played me when I was ready to play. I’m just looking forward to go on this stretch and give it my best shot. That’s really my aim right now. I’m physically good and mentally really where I need to be right now. It’s about finishing everything up right now.”
