Quick Hits: New York Red Bulls
A look at the key facts and figures of the 2008 New York Red Bulls
Giants Stadium (MLS Capacity: 26,500)
2006 Record: 12-11-7, 43 points (3rd in Eastern Conference)
GF: 47 (3rd in MLS)
GA: 45 (T-7th in MLS)
Finish: Lost to New England in Eastern Conference Semifinals (1-0 on aggregate)
Head Coach: Juan Carlos Osorio (1st season in New York)
Key Departures: Dema Kovalenko, Ronald Waterreus, Clint Mathis, Joe Vide, Francis Doe
Key Additions: Oscar Echeverry, Luke Sassano, Zach Thornton
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
GOALKEEPER
Jon Conway: After being the No. 2 goalkeeper and winning the starting job from Tony Meola and Ronald Waterreus in each of the last two seasons, Conway is the Red Bulls No. 1 keeper from Day One this year. In 14 games a year ago, the lanky veteran had a 1.10 GAA with four clean sheets.
DEFENDERS
Kevin Goldthwaite: Juan Carlos Osorio has made it abundantly clear his plans to sign an international left back in his 3-5-2 system, which likely means Goldthwaite's days in the starting XI are numbered.
Jeff Parke: Always one of the most underrated and solid defenders around, Parke could be set for a breakthrough season in the Red Bulls' three-back set. He's big, strong, smart and has enjoyed a solid preseason.
Carlos Mendes: With so many changes in terms of personnel and coaches, Mendes, along with Parke, is a rare consistent player in the back. He'll need to make a slight adjustment this year, from playing alongside Parke in a four-back formation to playing on the right.
MIDFIELDERS
Danleigh Borman: This position could be filled by another player come the Red Bulls' opener April 5, but for now, the job belongs to Borman, a former South African youth international who has good pace, crossing ability and is naturally left-footed
Seth Stammler: He's played just about every position but goalkeeper during his time in New York and the versatile Stammler will be asked to be one of two holding midfielders in the Bulls' five-man midfield.
Dave van den Bergh: A year ago, van den Bergh played on the left of a four-man midfield. But this year, at least until a yet-to-be-named left-sided midfielder comes from Latin America, van den Bergh will be asked to play alongside Stammler as a holding midfielder, a position he admittedly is unfamiliar with.
Claudio Reyna: Osorio wants to make Reyna's job as simple as possible, so his plan is to have a pair of midfielders -- Stammler and van den Bergh -- play behind him, allowing the Red Bulls captain freedom to just play as an attacking midfielder. Of course, Reyna's health is a concern again and when Reyna can't play or needs to be substituted, Mike Magee is available.
Luke Sassano: Sassano was just hoping to make a good impression during preseason and perhaps get some minutes as the season goes on. But injuries to Dane Richards and Hunter Freeman means that Sassano, who was selected in the third round of the 2008 SuperDraft, will be thrust into the starting lineup. Ososio isn't worried, though. He calls Sassano "one of our better players in preseason."
FORWARDS
Juan Pablo Angel: What Juan Pablo Angel did last year was simply have the greatest offensive season in Red Bulls history, breaking a club record with 19 goals in 24 games. And yet the designated player who arrived on a free transfer from Aston Villa missed the first few games of the year as his transfer was processed. Now, the Colombian striker is settled and itching to start his first full MLS season.
Jozy Altidore: The Angel-Altidore attacking tandem could be the best 1-2 forward punch in the league. Altidore has grown into a rising star and has drawn some serious interest from European clubs. He is also a regular on the U.S. under-23 national team, which means he's likely to miss up to nine games this year and could be gone come the summer transfer window.
OUTLOOK
Osorio promises that reinforcements are coming, but isn't saying who or when. The MLS transfer window closes April 15, and if he can't sign his three targeted players from Latin America, Osorio will have to wait until the summer transfer window. As currently constructed, this Red Bulls team doesn't appear better than the one that finished third in the East and lost to the Revolution in the first round of the playoffs. That could change drastically when -- or if -- the cavalry rides in.
GRADING THE SEASON
Altidore, for one, is tired of first-round playoff defeats. He's already seen two in time with the Red Bulls. Success would certainly mean getting into the Eastern Conference final, but if the words of Red Bulls managing director Marc deGrandpre ring as true as they did the day the club announced Bruce Arena was out as head coach, then it's MLS Cup or bust for the Bulls.
NEWCOMER(S) WITH THE BIGGEST IMPACT
A year ago, the newcomer who made the biggest impact was Richards, who seemingly came out of nowhere to be a consistent starter on the right side of midfield. But after suffering a knee injury in a not-so-friendly exhibition match against sister club Red Bull Salzburg last month, Richards is shelved until at least the All-Star break and Freeman, who was second on the depth chart on the right, suffered an ankle injury and he's out for 4-6 weeks. Enter Luke Sassano, who will start on opening day against Columbus. Sound familiar?
