Goals:

COL - Sturgis ('47), Brown ('68)

NY - None

New York

G: Robles

It's hard to say a goalie played well when they finish with two goals to their name but there wasn't much Robles could do to change the outcome of this one. Throughout the game, Robles gave the Red Bulls a fighting chance with some good reads and acrobatic saves but the two chances that Colorado converted were far from his fault.

Defense: Lade [Kimura '53], Holgersson, Olave, Barklage

Lackluster. It's the only word I can really conjure to describe how this defense plays as a whole. Just straight out lackluster performance after lackluster performance. Obviously tonight, the first goal could be perfectly attributed to the defense's inability to clear the ball which gave their goalie absolutely no chance to stop it. Lade and Barklage were barely noticable, except at the defensive end and Kimura's sub was meaningless. Holgersson did more fouling than defending, giving away dangerous free kicks that could've turned into goals on any other night. Olave was probably the best of the bunch, his biggest contribution coming on an athletic slide tackle in the box to knock away an easy scoring chance from Deshorn Brown.

Midfield: Cahill, Steele [Sam '76], McCarty, Alexander

Early on, it seemed like it was TIm Cahill's night after he helped clear two early crosses out of the box but Cahill never got back to the offensive end and made anything happened. Until the final minutes of the game, he was a near mystery. Alexander wasn't far behind with his inability to force himself on the game and Steele's attempts at offense were unintelligent and downright sloppy. In all, it was not a good night for the midfield guys. However, Dax McCarty's edge of the box turnover could go down as the worst possible play of the night. McCarty got lazy with the ball and basically spoon-fed the Rapids second goal.

Forwards: Henry, Espindola [Luyindula '77]

Their wasn't much to speak off from the front attackers as the ball barely passed the midfield line in the first half and chances were limited throughout the contest. Henry was supplied with little service and once again found himself deep in the midfield, helping to bring the ball forward. Espindola's minutes were non-existent for the most part and Luyindula's appearance came with cautious optimism. Overall, no goals from the guys up front mean they didn't do what they needed to tonight. Also, on a side note, with Juninho gone, Henry took all the free kicks throughout the game.

Bottom Line:

NO GOALS...NO CHANCES

Service to Henry up front has been an issue all season and the problem does not seem to be solved at all. Henry spent most of the game in the midfield trying to keep possession than he did attacking at all. Henry probably had the only two legitimate scoring chances of the game, when an early shot went wide and a late, floating ball almost found it's way to the back post. In the 74th minute, Alexander and Cahill linked up in the box for a "could be" goal but the referee's flag was up for offsides. Replays confirmed the call was correct and the Red Bulls were held scoreless.

INDEPENDENCE DAY WOES

With this loss to the Rapids, the Red Bulls pick up their seventh loss of the season and continue to struggle on the road. However, New York should just be glad everyday isn't July 4th for them. Their Independence Day record moves to 1-9-2 with their poor showing in Colorado.

SHEP WANTS LUYINDULA

Late into the MSG broadcast, Shep Messing seemed to be favoring giving Luyindula some run over Espindola alongside Henry. Messing said that Henry and Luyindula seem to work better with one another and if the Red Bulls could be patient with the French combination, it could work out more consistently for them. At this point, I think I'd have to agree.