Once A Metro - Recap: NY at MontrealAccept no substituteshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/21683/metro-fave.jpg2014-04-08T09:45:01-04:00http://www.onceametro.com/rss/stream/53574512014-04-08T09:45:01-04:002014-04-08T09:45:01-04:00Highlights: NY at Montreal
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<p>Video highlights of the New York Red Bulls visiting the Montreal Impact, presented by MLS & MSG.</p>
https://www.onceametro.com/2014/4/8/5593380/highlights-rbny-at-montreal-impactJason Iapicco2014-04-07T13:34:41-04:002014-04-07T13:34:41-04:00Player Ratings: Week Five
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<figcaption>Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In which we assign each player a numerical value in accordance with their perceived quality on the pitch. </p> <p>Would you look at that? Another draw! With the latest tie in Montreal, the <a href="https://www.onceametro.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Red Bulls</a> bring their point total to an impressive four points in five games. Simply put, that's just not good enough. On the bright side, the Red Bulls did put in a much improved performance while missing four starters. While the match could have absolutely been a win, the team has to be feeling confident going into next week on the road in D.C. Let's take a look at how the guys did:</p>
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<p><b><span>Luis Robles</span> - 8.5 (MOTM): </b>Robles had better not pay for his own dinner for the next week. If there was any doubt who deserved the starting keeper spot, Luis Robles has put that debate to bed over the past five games. Last Saturday's match could have easily been a 5-2 loss if not for the New York keeper's lights out performance. Quite possibly his most impressive performance since putting on the red and white.</p>
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<p><b><span>Roy Miller</span> - 6: </b>A decent match for the Costa Rican full back that happened to end too soon. Due to injuries, Miller was subbed out after the first half. No major gaffs and no major contributions, Roy continues to play just well enough to keep himself out of the angry mobs line of sight.</p>
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<p><b><span>Ibrahim Sekagya</span> - 5: </b>Sekagya is the only reason the Impact didn't get a chance to celebrate a third goal in the match. His goal line clearance saved the day and the center back's ranking. Aside from that one moment of brilliance, Ibra seemed to be caught sleeping more than once. It may be an issue with communication, but Sekagya shared partial responsibility on both Montreal goals.</p>
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<p><b>Armando - 4: </b>Easily Armando's worst outing in a Red Bull kit. The Spanish defender looked completely lost out there. Luckily for New York, <span>Marco Di Vaio</span> was born off sides. If not the case, Robles would have been forced to double his already burdensome workload. After a late game injury, Armando was subbed off and his miserable performance was put out to pasture.</p>
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<p><b><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Kosuke Kimura</span></span> - 3: </b>If you were curious to see what kind of match it took to make a person long for Richard Eckersley's speedy return, this would be the one. Kimura was absolutely dreadful. While doing his best to get up field and aid in the attack, Kimura was constantly caught out of position and getting roasted down the right flank. What a stinker for the mostly reliable right back. Hopefully this isn't the start of a new trend. We're willing to bet he bounces back next week.</p>
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<p><b><span>Jonny Steele</span> - 6: </b>Steele put in the kind of performance that made him such a fan favorite all last season. Nothing but work rate, the Northern Irish journeyman put in the exact kind of shift that <span>Mike Petke</span> needs from him. Nothing too fancy, but a necessary piece of this team's best functioning lineup. It was also nice to see him notch his first goal of 2014.</p>
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<p><b><span>Eric Alexander</span> - 4: </b>Meh.</p>
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<p><b><span>Bobby Convey</span> - 4: </b>Meh x 2. If not for some key players out with some knocks, Convey is completely dispensable.</p>
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<p><b><span>Lloyd Sam</span> - 7: </b>At this point, any compliments given to Lloyd Sam would simply be redundant. Nothing short of our best player on the pitch, outside of Luis Robles, Sam has consistently been New York's best attacking force of the season and given himself a fair shot of team MVP should his form carry through the year. No one else on the pitch has created something out of nothing the way Lloyd Sam has done for five straight matches.</p>
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<p><b><span>Peguy Luyindula</span> - 6: </b>Some may consider a six a little low considering Peguy scored his second goal in as many games, but shanking a PK like that is just unacceptable. That penalty goes in, New York wins the game and doubles their point total on the year. That said, Luyindula continues to be a valuable source of creativity in the midfield and seems to have finally found his scoring boots.</p>
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<p><b><span>Bradley Wright-Phillips</span> - 5:</b> Wright-Phillips is a confusing one. He seems to be doing all the right things, but he's just not producing. We could chalk this up to league inexperience, so that's what we're going to do. It's been said before that the English forward is all sizzle and no steak, but we're pretty sure the steak is on the way.</p>
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<p><b><span>Mike Petke</span> - 6: </b>You can't knock Petke too hard after escaping Montreal with a point while working with a wounded team, but the decision to bench <span>Dax McCarty</span> is a bizarre one. The second year coach continues to make some mind boggling decisions but it's tough to argue with his use of subs after a few in game injuries.</p>
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<h4>Substitutions</h4>
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<p><b>Dax McCarty - 7: </b>Dax continues to prove that he's at his best when playing as a true destroyer. As soon as the ginga ninja entered the game, the defense took on a whole new look, one that worked miles better against an attacking Montreal. It's possible that starting a game on the bench had Petke's desired effect, because Dax looked to be in the best form of the season to this point. Here's hoping for a continued improvement.</p>
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<p><b><span>Matt Miazga</span></b> <b>- N/A: </b>The young homegrown didn't really get enough minutes to give an actual rating. For the most part, he looked okay.</p>
https://www.onceametro.com/2014/4/7/5590148/player-ratings-week-fiveTim Dean2014-04-07T03:35:44-04:002014-04-07T03:35:44-04:00Week 5: Robles saves the day in Montreal
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<figcaption>Luis Robles: Best of the Bulls | Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>This won't be the last occasion - we hope - on which RBNY is saved by Luis Robles. Nor will it be the last occasion on which RBNY ties an opponent. But can it be the last time this year we miss out on a win by missing a penalty? </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.onceametro.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Red Bulls</a> began this game with four starters unavailable - <span>Tim Cahill</span>, <span>Richard Eckersley</span>, <span>Thierry Henry</span> and <span>Jamison Olave</span> - plus one on the bench. <span>Dax McCarty</span> was left out of the starting XI for perhaps no better reason than <span>Mike Petke</span> was looking around the dressing room for a redhead to drop from the team, and Eckersley didn't make the plane to Montreal.</p>
<p>McCarty has not had a stellar start to the season, but neither has any Red Bull not named <a target="_blank" href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-05-montreal-impact-vs-new-york-red-bulls/details/video/43214">Luis Robles</a>. The decision to leave RBNY's stalwart defensive midfielder out of the lineup was gutsy, and appeared thoroughly wrong-headed when Montreal carved through New York's defense to score in <a target="_blank" href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-05-montreal-impact-vs-new-york-red-bulls/details/video/43168">the 5th minute</a>.</p>
<p>It was the last time this game met expectations. In the 12th minute, L'Impact broke through again: this time courtesy of a ball over the top to <span>Marco Di Vaio</span>, who drew both <span>Kosuke Kimura</span> and Robles toward him to snuff out his shot. The rebound fell kindly to <span>Andres Romero</span>, scorer of the first goal, who volleyed into the empty net - almost. <span>Ibrahim Sekagya</span> is a man with a great many qualities as a footballer but agility has not appeared to be among them in his stint with RBNY. Nonetheless, it was Sekagya who stretched a leg out <a target="_blank" href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-05-montreal-impact-vs-new-york-red-bulls/details/video/43173">to hook Romero's shot off the line</a>.</p>
<p>It seemed unlikely to matter in the long run. New York's defense had been broken once already, and would doubtless buckle again under the pressure Montreal was bringing with every possession. The occasional counter-attack did not appear likely to challenge even the Impact's shaky back line.</p>
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<b>More</b>: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.onceametro.com/2014/4/5/5585594/3-thoughts-new-york-red-bulls-at-montreal-impact">3 Thoughts: NY at Montreal</a>
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<p>In the 30th minute, when Kimura punted a pass down the line for <span>Lloyd Sam</span> to chase, the impotence of RBNY's attack was well illustrated. Sam beat former Red Bull Heath Pearce in the race to the ball, but arrived at the edge of the area with no teammates waiting for him.</p>
<p>Four Impact players and a late-arriving <span>Bradley Wright-Phillips</span> looked to be the sum of Sam's options. But he spotted what the entire Montreal defense had missed: <span>Jonny Steele</span> charging to the far post. Even this option defied conventional wisdom. Steele isn't the quickest man in MLS, and his marker was comfortably ahead of him in the race to goal - in keeping with all the tenets of good defending.</p>
<p>Furthermore, Sam might have had the right idea (lob the entire Montreal back line and land the ball on Steele's foot at the back post) but his execution was interrupted by the Olympic Stadium's turf. The RBNY winger slipped as he crossed the ball - and the sudden loss of balance was exactly what his pass needed: it curled perfectly round <span>Eric Miller</span> and <a target="_blank" href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-05-montreal-impact-vs-new-york-red-bulls/details/video/43185">collided with Steele</a>. 1-1.</p>
<p>There was no time to dwell on the surprise equalizer, because RBNY followed it with a surprise go-ahead goal. In the 34th minute, the Impact worked the ball cautiously to Marco Di Vaio, who had dropped deeper than usual. He spread the ball wide toward...Jonny Steele. Gifted a counter-attack, BWP and <span>Peguy Luyindula</span> surged forward, and Steele picked the correct option, splitting the Montreal defense with a perfect pass to Peguy. Luyindula stroked a <a target="_blank" href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-05-montreal-impact-vs-new-york-red-bulls/details/video/43186">confident finish past Troy Perkins</a>. Yes, every word of the last sentence is true.</p>
<p>At half-time, the Red Bulls, <i>sans</i> five starters and without ever looking like the better team, were winning in Montreal.</p>
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<b>More</b>: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2014/4/5/5586180/impact-vs-red-bulls-tie-2-2">Montreal Impact tie 2-2 against the New York Red Bulls</a>
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<p><span>Roy Miller</span> was withdrawn during the interval with the sort of mystery turf injury that thoroughly vindicates the club's decision to consistently shield Henry and Olave from the surface. Dax McCarty was released from the bench, <span>Bobby Convey</span> dropped back to cover Miller's position in defense.</p>
<p>The lineup wasn't doing a great job of controlling Montreal, but it's never ideal when a coach is forced to shuffle a team around due to injury rather than tactical necessity. Before anyone could decide whether the change was for better or worse, RBNY started the second half with a near-immediate opportunity to double the lead.</p>
<p>Petke's tactical selection for this match was basically a 4-1-4-1: with first <span>Eric Alexander</span>, then Dax McCarty, shielding the back line, and Bradley Wright-Phillips playing as a lone striker, occasionally supported by Luyindula. BWP can be a very good player for this team, but perhaps not if he is consistently marooned up top on his own. He managed one shot at goal for the match. Still, he does make the right sort of runs into the box: he did so when teaming up with Luyindula to create options for the Steele pass which brought about RBNY's second goal; he did so again when cutting into the box to get past <span>Matteo Ferrari</span> and draw the defender into a clumsy hug.</p>
<p>Embracing an opponent who is shaping to shoot at goal is a foul. When such affection is displayed in the 18-yard box, it is a penalty. It should, arguably, have been a red card as well.</p>
<p>The lack of any color-coded disciplinary action from the referee was too much for <span>Mike Petke</span> - who barked a profanely worded question at the fourth official. Bless you, Mike: you say what we're all thinking. I suspect the supporters' groups are already passing the hat round to cover your fine.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, the Impact might have been allowed to keep eleven bodies on the pitch, but there was still just one man allowed to stand between Luyindula and the goal for the ensuing penalty. Peguy, wearing the captain's armband, sent the keeper one way and the ball <i>just</i> too far in the other direction. It <a target="_blank" href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-05-montreal-impact-vs-new-york-red-bulls/details/video/43210">cracked off the post</a>: still 2-1.</p>
<p>At this point, we have to assume it is sheer diffidence keeping Luyindula from the hero status he is so consistently ducking.</p>
<p>Even a two-goal lead might not have been sufficient to keep the Impact at bay. The blue-and-black shirts were rampant. The second-half highlights were <a href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-05-montreal-impact-vs-new-york-red-bulls/details/video/43223">Montreal's second goal</a>, some desperate and self-damaging defending from RBNY (Sekagya almost put his studs through Kimura's chest), and Luis Robles's remarkable capacity to get his <a target="_blank" href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-05-montreal-impact-vs-new-york-red-bulls/details/video/43240">hands to the ball</a>.</p>
<p>The 'keeper finished the match with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-05-MTL-v-NY/stats">nine saves</a> to his name. He currently leads the league in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/stats/season?season_year=2014&group=SAVES">shots faced and saves made</a>.</p>
<p>Robles was the man of the match for RBNY. And it is frustrating to watch any game in which your 'keeper is forced to be the star and your team still manages to leave the field as the one closest to winning all three points. This may obscure, understandably, the realization that this was one of the finer team performances we have seen.</p>
<p>There were plenty of individual mistakes made by New York players, plenty of errors to dwell upon if that is your preference. But if, as fans, we are looking for a group of players who will fight for each other, put their bodies on the line for the team, scramble to make the block or the clearance rather than point a finger: that's what we got this week.</p>
<p>This is no consolation for missing out on three points. Still, we left our stars at home, asked the remaining players to carry the team through a match it was not expected to win, and came away with a point. The draw itself is not a reason to congratulate the team; the fact it is a disappointment suggests this may have a been a better performance than it looked.</p>
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<div class="pullquote">AT THE END OF THE DAY, TO COME INTO MONTREAL AND GET A RESULT: WE'LL TAKE IT. <span>-</span><a target="_blank" href="http://www.empireofsoccer.com/shorthanded-bulls-montreal-24716/">MIke Petke</a><span>(empireofsoccer.com)</span>
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<p>It was a determined, even disciplined, effort to defy expectations - and it worked. If you need further convincing, look no further than Armando: he lasted 84 minutes before the turf hobbled him; he threw down blocks, clearances, interceptions and tackles; and he did not attract a yellow card. He probably won't have many games like that this season - he is, irredeemably, a physical player - but he was following the game plan as best he could.</p>
<p>So, for the first time this year, it would seem RBNY pulled off exactly what Petke had planned for a game. In this case, the plan was conservative: don't lose. Now we must hope the same success can be found when in pursuit of a more expansive brief: score a lot of goals and win.</p>
https://www.onceametro.com/2014/4/7/5588538/week-5Austin Fido2014-04-05T18:11:22-04:002014-04-05T18:11:22-04:003 Thoughts: NY at Montreal
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The New York Red Bulls & Montreal Impact played to a 2-2 draw at Olympic Stadium in Montreal. Here are Jason Iapicco's 3 Thoughts on the match.</p> <h3>A Tale of 2 Peguys</h3>
<p>Last week, Peguy Lyundiula scored his first goal in the run of play for the <a href="https://www.onceametro.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Red Bulls</a>. Now he has two in as many weeks. After going down 1 goal early, Peguy took a 1-on-2, beating <span>Troy Perkins</span> after almost losing control of the ball. The play changed the momentum of the game, and put NY on the front foot against an all of a poor <a href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Montreal Impact</a> back line. Early in the second half, the Red Bulls got their first Penalty Kick of the season after <span>Bradley Wright-Phillips</span> was brought down in the box. Peguy stepped up to take the Penalty Kick, and put it right on the post, where it bounced out. He sold Perkins, and had the right side of the net completely open, but couldn't put it away. For all the positives about Peguy thus far, he had a very mixed bag type of day.</p>
<h3>Porous Defense</h3>
<p>While the Red Bulls held Montreal to only 2 goals, they allowed Montreal to have too many chances. Montreal managed to get off 21 total shots, 12 of which were shots on target. While they made up for some of it with emergency defending (Ibrahim Sekagya's goal line clearance), they did a poor job. I don't know if it has to do with NY not starting the same back line for four straight games, but they need to fix this aspect, which leads me to my last thought...</p>
<h3><span>Luis Robles</span></h3>
<p>Robles was the reason that the Red Bulls didn't give up at least 4-5 goals in this game. He tallied 9 saves on the day (a career high), and in all honesty was left out to dry on the 2 goals that he let in. Countless times he made a point blank or desperation save. Robles is hands down my man of the match, because he kept this game interesting.</p>
https://www.onceametro.com/2014/4/5/5585594/3-thoughts-new-york-red-bulls-at-montreal-impactJason Iapicco