RBNY Fan Take: 3 Quick Thoughts on Red Bulls Vs. New England Match

Another draw. Not just another draw, but another one against a team destined to not be playing in the postseason. Had you told New York Red Bulls fans just a couple of weeks ago that the club would get just two points against Chicago and New England, I'd imagine many would have been preparing to just give up on the current campaign. There is unquestionably an uneasy feeling among the New York fan base, but the fact remains that the Red Bulls are, as of the writing of this sentence, still a playoff team3 quick thoughts on Red Bulls vs. New England match: Two teamsI don't know how else to describe the Red Bulls at this point of the 2011 season. MSG's Shep Messing and Steve Cangialosi said the exact same thing about the club during the second half of Saturday's contest. This New York squad is two very different teams, often times during one match, and it's why the club has been unable to come up with a victory in league play since early July. In the first 45 minutes against New England, the Red Bulls appeared lazy and even disinterested in playing. The New York side we saw during the second half, however, looked like one of the best teams in the league, a machine that just could not be stopped.How is this possible? Well, there's three ways you can look at it. Perhaps the problem is that the coaching staff, Hans Backe in particular, has lost these players, and thus the roster only feels like playing when it's facing an uphill battle. Perhaps veteran players such as Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez aren't doing enough on the field and in training to "pump up" the guys taking the pitch during MLS matches. Maybe the roster is filled with guys who either will or already have done bigger and better things than winning an MLS Cup, guys such as Henry, Marquez and Tim Ream. I don't know the answer, but there's not much time left for the team to fix this problem.3 quick thoughts on Red Bulls vs. New England match: Bouna TimeI've both defended and criticized goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul this season. You certainly couldn't be unhappy with the New York 'keeper for his play on Saturday, as his defense hung him out to dry on several different occasions. I absolutely loved watching Coundoul completely flip out on his defenders time and time again, although I was a bit worried that he might actually spike Ream, Marquez or someone else with his cleats. It's about time that somebody on this roster showed that much fire and passion on the pitch, and I actually have no problem with Coundoul being New York's starting goalkeeper during these pivotal matches.3 quick thoughts on Red Bulls vs. New England match: State of fansThis Sunday evening's match against the Galaxy, one which sold out awhile ago, will be very interesting to behold in person. Yes, many fans are heading out to Red Bull Arena on the 28th simply to see superstars. Die hard fans want to see a win at home, though, and it doesn't matter that the Red Bulls are facing what is currently the best team in Major League Soccer. If New York once again comes out flat and goes down 1-0 or even 2-0 in the first half, we may be in for a fan revolt the likes of which this franchise has never before witnessed.Fans are getting angrier and angrier with every non-win. Many fans, whether rightfully so or not, perceive this roster as one that simply does not care enough, and I'd be really surprised if those in attendance didn't boo the Red Bulls right off the pitch Sunday night if the team looks anything like it did during the first half in New England.New york Red Bulls, New England, still a playoff team, Thierry Henry, Tim Ream, Bouna Coundoul.

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