Depleted Red Bulls still seek road win
New York hopes to contain former winger van den Bergh in Dallas
It will be the first time the Red Bulls will face Dave van den Bergh since the veteran Dutch winger helped lead New York to its first MLS Cup appearance. The 33-year-old hasn't lost a step since his trade to Dallas in the offseason. He has a team-high four assists on the year.
So how can the Red Bulls stop van den Bergh?
"It will be a lot easier to say than do it," Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio said. "We obviously have to deny him space, but we all know his ability. He only needs a yard or two to produce good crosses. It will be a very difficult task, but I think we will have some plan in place."
Hoping to win their first game away from home on the season, snap a nine-game winless streak and an MLS-record 22-league game road winless streak, the Red Bulls do not have Kenny Cooper to worry about. The forward is with the U.S. national team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
But New York is still depleted defensively. Alfredo Pacheco is away competing for El Salvador in the Gold Cup, while Kevin Goldthwaite (groin), Carlos Mendes (hamstring) and Carlos Johnson (broken foot) are out due to injury.
The Red Bulls are also thin in the attacking third, with Juan Pablo Angel (hamstring), Mac Kandji (hamstring) and Albert Celades all battling injuries, while Dane Richards was called in by Jamaica for the Gold Cup.
That makes the prospects of winning in Frisco even more daunting. But Angel is tired of excuses.
"Right now because of the pressure and the circumstance, talk is cheap," the Red Bulls captain said. "It's about action, about us getting the job done on the field. There's always frustration around the camp and anxiousness. But it's about us getting together and trying to get this sorted out."
Speaking of prospects, the Red Bulls had a pair of trialists in camp during the week. One is Serbian Veljko Paunovic, a 31-year-old forward who has played in La Liga for and is attempting a comeback after retiring from Serbian club Partizan on Dec. 24.
"He's an experienced player. He has played for very good teams, Atletico Madrid, (Real) Oviedo, first division teams," Osorio said. "He's 31, he is trying to come to the league and we're just taking a look at him with a view to see in what shape he is and what he can bring to the table."
The other is fullback Alvaro Franco, who played at the University of West Florida.
"Younger, good fullback and I just want to take a look at him," Osorio said.
But for now, Osorio is focusing on Dallas, of the task of trying to win in what should be difficult playing conditions at Pizza Hut Park.
"We need to be able to keep the ball because it will be very hot and humid," Osorio said. "We are looking at this game as a very good opportunity to start winning."
Angel knows about his team's road record and about the heat and humidity. But he's looking on the bright side.
"I've never played in Dallas before. I would like to play my first game there," Angel said. "I heard it was a beautiful field and it's grass. That should be even better."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com
