RBNY Preseason Starting XI - Week 1

With the first week of preseason training for the New York Red Bulls is almost completed, and we here at Once a Metro are going to start doing weekly Starting XI's. This week's XI is by yours truly and is based only on how I feel the team should line up, since we don't have any actual performances to use as a basis for this. Plus, speculation is fun anyway.

This week I'm using the 4-3-2-1 formation that became a mainstay last year.

Luis Robles (GK), Roy Miller (LB), Dax McCarty (CDM), Lloyd Sam (RM), and Bradley Wright-Phillips (FWD) are all self-explanatory, so let's move onto the other players.

Matt Miazga (CB) - While the Red Bulls suddenly have some center backs, I want to go with at least one youngster. Miazga showed well in the CONCACAF U-20 Championships helping the US in three straight shutout victories to end the tournament.

Ronald Zubar (CB) - Just on the right side of 30, and in theory, he has to be decent if the Red Bulls went out and got him.

Chris Duvall (RB) - Duvall may be young, but he has MLS experience.

Sacha Kljestan (CDM) - A USMNT mainstay who should by all definitions be a Designated Player. This is a no brainer.

Ruben Bover (LM) - The youngster was stuck behind a deep backfield last year. It's time to see if he can shine.

Peguy Luyindula (CAM) - This will be the biggest question, why play the older Luyindula over recently acquired (and younger) Felipe Martins? Luyindula has chemistry with Sam, Wright-Phillips, and McCarty. Martins may build that up, but at this point, Luyindula has it.

Notable Omission(s):

Tim Cahill - Seems like he is on his way out, so why bother?