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With the MLS season just a few days away, we preview the Red Bulls with daily position-by-position previews. You can read all of them here. Today: The Red Bulls' situation up front.
If only for Thierry Henry, the forward position is likely the Red Bulls' strongest position.
The midfield? Questions about Juninho's age. The defense? Who know's who will start where. The wings? A lot of unproven players will line up there.
But Henry, since his first full season with the team, has played at least 25 games and scored at least 14 goals. He's still got the respect of his peers. And, some of the time, it still looks like he could dominate some of Europe's best leagues.
(In all seriousness, there's only a little hyperbole in that last statement.)
But he's here, with the Red Bulls. Behind him, and with whom he will switch off with on the left, is Fabian Espindola, a proven MLS striker, part of some great Real Salt Lake teams.
Behind Espindola is Amando Moreno, a 17-year-old academy signing, who had a very good preseason and is showing he could be the real deal, despite his age.
Rounding out the striker corps is Josue Martinez, who the Red Bulls acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Union for Sebastien Le Toux. He's the only real weak spot in an otherwise strong striker corps, but if the Red Bulls are leaning on Martinez, it's likely they have bigger problems.
Head Coach Mike Petke is "freeing" Henry as it were, to drift and switch positions as necessary. That's a scary proposition for opposing defenses. But still, even behind Henry, there are some solid players.
Now, it really comes down to getting him the ball.