Piecing Together the Red Bulls Depth Chart

We knew almost two weeks ago Teemu Tainio wouldn't be around for a bit and we knew Wilman Conde could be out a month last week, but now Roy Miller figures to be out a bit after a tackle took him out of last Saturday's tie with the San Jose Earthquakes and Rafael Marquez's Foul Heard 'Round MLS figures to keep him off the field for a while.

Remember when Hans Backe said the Bulls were deep? We'll, that depth is about to be tested this weekend against D.C. United.

Backe already told reporters he has no issue sliding rookie Connor Lade into Miller's spot, speaking highly of his toughness and speed, after his professional debut Saturday.

The midfield is where things get complicated. With three midfielders down, the question becomes who slots in next to Dax McCarty.

The natural choice, with his late substitution, is Victor Palsson who's played this season, albeit sparingly, and who Backe seems to think can fill the role of defensive midfielder currently filled by either Tainio or Marquez.

But, wait, a challenger appears...

"I’ve been in the center all my life and I miss it, and one day I would love to play there fully again," Lindpere told MLSsoccer.com following Tuesday's practice. "But if the team needs some players to stay playing in the middle over outside [or the other way around], players have to do it and manage because we are one team."

If Backe continues to play Medhi Ballouchy on the outside in place of Lindpere, the Estonian international could slip into the central midfield, which could be the kind of change that sparks a recovery in form.

Other questions linger along the backline. Markus Holgersson hasn't been great -- even he admits as much -- and Stephen Keel looked questionable against the Quakes, too, though who would fill in for either remains up in the air.