The Red Bulls find themselves in a few different spots this week, as MLSsoccer.com, ESPN FC, and Sports Illustrated have each taken New York's loss to San Jose into account when placing them in the field of 19.
Right off the bat, Head Coach Mike Petke and the gang know there is work to be done. Petke will look to focus on ball possession leading up to this weekend's match against DC United, an area he believes the team should improve greatly upon. The supreme hope is that whatever changes are made results in a win in front of the home crowd at Red Bull Arena.
Three points against DC United this weekend will only help New York’s case as they look to not only climb the ladder in the Eastern Conference standings, but also in the weekly Power Rankings.
So let’s see how they did this week after Sunday’s 2-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes:
MLSsoccer.com keeps the Red Bulls level at 11th overall, crediting the team for limiting San Jose's chances:
"We're giving this team the benefit of the doubt based upon talent and opening up with two on the road. For all the wailing bloodletting after Sunday's collapse, it should be noted that Mike Petke's team did a very good job of limiting San Jose's looks - better than RSL did a week before as a matter of fact - until Roy Miller's meltdown."
Sports Illustrated also has the Red Bull at 11th overall after dropping them from last week's No. 7 spot.
Fresh Pitch for the Home Opener
ESPNFC.com on the other hand was not so generous, dropping New York from 11th to 16th after the loss to San Jose:
"Another week, another second half meltdown and this time, a familiar villain in Roy Miller who coughed up the equalizer, conceded the penalty and then was whistled for encroachment on Wondolowski's first penalty attempt. Face-palms."
Considering New York’s placement at 11th overall in this week’s MLSsoccer.com and Sports llustrated rankings, I was curious to see where the Red Bulls ranked last year after the first two weeks of play.
Mind you, New York is 0-1-1 on the season and started last season 0-2-0 following road losses in Dallas and Real Salt Lake. So the safe assumption was this season would have the Red Bulls slotted in a better spot than 2012.
Right?
Right.
After Week 1 in 2012, MLSsoccer.com placed the Red Bulls 12th overall coming off a 2-1 loss in Dallas.
The following week, after Real Salt Lake’s 2-0 win (Fabian Espindola scored the game-winner, FYI), the Red Bulls landed at 13th overall in the MLSsoccer.com rankings.
So at least the season-opening tie against Portland reflects in the most-updated standings. Consider it a small victory of sorts in the ongoing list of Power Rankings, which will hopefully be further improved upon after a three-point finish at Red Bull Arena this Saturday.
What's your take on this week's rankings? Fair? Harsh? Comment below.
Need tickets to the home opener? Get yours now at Red Bulls Ticket Central, or by calling 877.RB.SOCCER.
