It’s already mid-season for the 2008 New York Red Bulls.  There are opposite ways of viewing the team’s performance: “glass half-empty” or “half-full.”  Michael Lewis, editor of BigAppleSoccer.com contends “For the Red Bulls, it’s not a matter of the glass being half full or empty.  It’s filled only halfway.”

HALF-EMPTY

The Red Bulls are in sixth place of the Eastern Conference ahead of only Kansas City which has a game in hand and who New York plays to start the second half of the season.  Moreover, the Red Bulls have the second worst goal differential (-7) in MLS ahead of only expansion San Jose.  The playoffs, and even more so, a top four MLS finish to qualify for the 2009 SuperLiga tournament, look increasingly unlikely.

Due to injuries, both designated players, Juan Pablo Angel and Claudio Reyna, have been unable to substantially contribute this season.  Injuries have also sidelined Dane Richards, Hunter Freeman, Seth Stammler and Oscar Echeverry, each for several games.

Juan Pablo has played in less than half of the total games.  In the games he has played, he has been visibly hampered most of the time.  Consequently, Juan Pablo has scored only two goals thus far this season.  The Red Bulls traded away their only other offensive threat and promising young star Jozy Altidore, to Villareal.  Oscar Echeverry does not have a goal or an assist in a MLS regular season game yet and the other backup forward
John Wolyniec has not found the net either.

Claudio has played in parts of six games and he has not made the positive impact expected of a designated player.  Although Claudio did play in a charity match recently, his most recent club contributions were in a 5-1 loss to Chicago in May.

First round pick Eric Brunner was also asked to play for less money than originally offered and has since left the club to play for “second division” squad, Miami FC Blues; Andrew Boyens, the player who joined New York that led to Brunner being downgraded and ultimately leaving, has been inconsistent.

The Red Bulls have not scored more than two goals since May 10th, and this past week were unceremoniously booted from the US Open Cup by mid-table “3rd division” squad, Crystal Palace Baltimore, followed by a 4-0 loss to Colorado.  Ives Galarcep referred to this past week as potentially the “worst week in the history of the club.”

HALF-FULL

I prefer the more positive outlook.  Aside from three blowout losses and occasional mental mistakes, New York has often played well this MLS regular season.  The team’s “.500” record at 5-5-5 is a mere continuation of last year’s record (12-11-7), which can be viewed as a minor accomplishment in light of the above mentioned injuries to key players.  Moreover, even with these key players out of the lineup, New York has managed recent good wins at home (e.g., Chivas and FC Dallas) and impressive ties on the road (e.g., New England).  What more can fans expect outside of keeping some losses a little closer?

Kevin Goldthwaite is playing better than last year and a number of key young players, namely Sinisa Ubiparapovic, Luke Sassano and Danleigh Borman, have had positive impacts on New York’s play.  Carlos Mendes has found a productive new home as a defensive midfielder.

Jon Conway has been solid this year, making several key saves and only a couple questionable decisions.  Dave van den Bergh and Seth Stammler have also been among the most valuable players.  They have been stellar in games, especially when they have avoided acquiring early and/or bad cards.  Dane Richards has been a threat and set up a few key goals.

The departure of Jozy was inevitable and the Red Bulls were wise to get significant compensation for him.  Now Juan Carlos Osorio is poised to bring in some of the players he has targeted: Venezuelan left/center midfielder Jorge Rojas, Argentinean defensive midfielder Juan Pietravallo, and Mexican left defender Diego Jimenez are expected to join the club at the beginning of the summer transfer window and perhaps another defender (e.g., Gabriel Cichero?) and forward (e.g., Georgie Wilson Welcome?) will be here shortly thereafter.  Juan Carlos deserves the opportunity to bring in his own players and this process is just starting.

Michael Lewis pointed out that the Red Bulls are 1-2-4 against Eastern teams this season and that seven of the last 12 matches will be against division opponents.  There is still time left but New York will need to have a strong season end to make up ground and the playoffs.  Progress continues to be made on Red Bull Park with its opening expected sometime next year.  Several focus groups are planned to make the stadium the best soccer experience possible.

Keep the faith, New York fans… Keep the faith!!!