Red Bulls at Colorado Rapids Post Game review

The Red Bulls were away today at the Dick's Sporting Goods Park for a game against the Colorado Rapids.  The Red Bulls came out in a very odd formation, at least compared to past games.  Backe played a 1-1-4-4 with Angel as the sole forward backed by Joel Lindpere.  Mendes has completely replaced Mike Petke in the backfield and the team seems faster and able to cover more field than Mike.  They are missing Mike's heart though, he's the soul of the team.  Bouna Coundoul returned to Colorado to a tough supporters crowd.  They were yelling out "Rapids Reject" while the vuvuzela's were buzzing.

The Rapids were attacking quickly with the Albright forced to foul in the second minute.  Cummings was able to find the back of the net in the 15th minute giving the Rapids the lead in very early on.  At the 25th, the Rapids had a goal called off after Danliegh Borman was fouled.  Thanks to our friend UZ from SBnation's Denver website, it appears that the goal was called back on a delayed offsides.  Sorry for the confusion.  At the 34th New York finally found the score board on a Ubiparipovic corner that Angel was able to hit the top of the net.  This goal also put Juan Pablo Angel as tied for the league leading 9 goals on the season with Edson Buddle of the LA Galaxy.  After starting the season slow, JPA has definitely found some bounce to his game and has been scoring goals without set shooting on penalties. 

The end of the first half ended with the Red Bulls threatening on the attack.  As the second half started, the sky opened up and rain began to pour down.  The game continued just as it ended with the Reds Bulls attacking, first with Angel putting one over the crossbar in the 48th and then Dane Richards threatening in the 50th that saw Pickens forced to punch the ball away. In the 54th, Seth Stammler sent a shot wide.  In the final third of the game, Colorado finally game back alive forcing Coundoul to dive all over the place, then there was the Ballouchy shot off the woodwark after beating Bouna in the 67th.  The game ended at 1-1 and the Red Bulls extend their winning streak to four and pick up some needed points on the road with Colorado now sitting at 27.  Would have been nice to have a W but at least we picked up those points.  Also when you consider that the second half was under less than optimal weather conditions, it has to feel picking up some points on the road against a tough Colorado team. 

Hope you all had a safe and fun 4th of July.