New York Football Challenge: Red Bulls vs. Tottenham Review

This sort of game is always difficult to review because it’s a friendly. In the big picture, it won’t affect the Red Bulls in MLS outside of making money (which is crucial) and trying to sort things out within the lineup (also important). The game was a pre-season one for Tottenham, so they weren’t going into it full-bore as they would in an EPL game. Still, both teams certainly didn’t go through the motions. Bad calls were argued, there were some strong (yet mostly clean) tackles, and the teams appreciated all three goals. I feel the Red Bulls were unlucky to not have scored more goals, given that one header rang off the crossbar, one cross-box pass hit a back heel (I think this was Lindpere? Maybe it was Kandji? It was on the other side of the field) instead of a toe for a simple tap-in, and a few shots sailed just wide or forced Cudicini to dive to make a save.

Thierry Henry’s debut got a huge ovation. He looked great with his touch, his passes, his hustle, and his backtracking (that’s right, he didn’t just wait for service) and while his goal won’t be going into the annals of great goals, it was much appreciated. The supporters won’t care how as long as it goes in. At least, I won’t. Incidentally, I fully understand the decision to play him for only 45 minutes since he’ll be playing on Sunday

What was more impressive is that the midfield actually attacked when they had the chance. This was far and away different from the recent 2-0 Columbus loss and many of the recent games by NYRB. Passes were strung together. Players were communicating with each other. Balls were placed into space for speedy players like Dane Richards; while Joel Lindpere (especially him), Carl Robinson, Seth Stammler, and later Tony Tchani worked hard where necessary. With Henry now on the team and a third DP coming in soon, someone’s going to lose their spot on the roster. The players on the field were hungry, they won balls, they weren’t perfect, but they got service up top and did their best to help out.

You know who won’t be losing their spots? The D and GK. Ream, Mendes, and Coundoul had to make incredibly important interventions in the first half to prevent Spurs from scoring early and often. Ream and Mendes showed zero fear of Keane, Kranjcar, Jenas, etc. Coundoul made important saves to beat back an early-charging Spurs team. In the second half, the subs didn’t do so great. Sutton looked bad on both goals against; Petke was OK but not as critical as Mendes was; and Jeremy Hall’s not going to hear the end of it about that second goal for a few days. I feel bad for Hall and Sutton since they’ve been out of the lineup quite a bit but they didn’t prove that they deserve more time. Better luck on Sunday?

In fact, of all the subs, the only one who really was impressive was Chinn. Too bad about that crossbar and that shot off the poorly headed ball in the second half. He plays like Wolyniec and that’s not an insult. Sometimes, scoring goals is about just charging ahead and pounding a shot and seeing what happens.

While Henry got the game’s man of the match, not a bad pick since no one on Spurs really stood out as exceptional unless you felt Keane going offsides/getting stopped by Tim Ream was exceptional, Kandji was the man tonight. He was up top, dropped back a bit, and was constantly dynamic. He pulled off ball tricks to beat defenders, he blew threw Spurs defenders trying to box him out to go after a loose ball to force a corner, and he had some good ideas (not necessarily great ones) with shooting. Kandji’s been getting back to “form” and not only did he play a full 90, he shined. Maybe he was trying to do too much late in the game but I’ll take that ahead of not contributing anytime.

Lastly, I have to say the atmosphere was excellent. There were quite a few Spurs fans, but the large crowd was pro-Red Bull and the supporter sections brought it tonight. I’m normally in 133 with your esteemed host, but my ticket was for 101 and so I went there. That’s where the ESC is and they are constant singing, standing, jumping, drum playing, flag waving, and cussing for 90 minutes. It was hot, it was tiring (especially after la bamba), and it was 100% fun. If you don’t mind any of that, then go to a game in the South Ward (133 – GSS, 101 – ESC, 102 – La Banda Imperial). You’ll have a blast. I guarantee it.

Was pure class tonight. He played absolutely fantastic today and it was great to see him in the second half on the bench chatting away with the younger guys trying to help them out. This guy is going to do so much for this team and for the league it’s ridiculous I can just sense it.