Embarrassing four-goal loss? What embarrassing four-goal loss? It was back to business for the New York Red Bulls at Montclair State University as the club put a 5-1 loss to the Chicago Fire behind them and prepares to take on the two-time defending MLS Cup champion Houston Dynamo Saturday night.
But the defeat, one of the worst in the club's history, was definitely a sore subject at the start of the week.
"You can learn a lot from the losses, especially the way we lost last Sunday," Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio said. "There's still a question mark if I was too hard on them at halftime and probably after the game and the following morning. But I think they have reacted well and I can see they are very eager to go and play the next game and try and put things right."
After missing three consecutive games with a back injury, Seth Stammler returned to training this week. Stammler said he'd put his back at 85-90 percent now and is a strong candidate to start for the Red Bulls when they take the field at Robertson Stadium.
"I was a little nervous the first day as to how it was going to feel the following day, but all signs are good and positive," Stammler said after Thursday's training session. "I feel every once in a while it gets a little tight, but all in all it's been a good response to the injection. I'm looking forward to this weekend."
And a healthy Stammler in the center of the park is especially good news for Osorio.
"He's a very important player for us, the way we want to play defensively and offensively," the Red Bulls coach said. "He has looked quite good in training. Hopefully he will be like that (Friday) and if that's the case he has a great chance to start Saturday. If that's the case I think we will have a well-balanced team in the middle."
Stammler's presence was sorely missed Sunday, when the Red Bulls allowed four second-half goals in a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of the rival Chicago Fire. In that game, New York let Cuauhtémoc Blanco rampage through the midfield to the tune of one goal and three assists.
The Red Bulls could have had yet another free-wheeling central midfielder to worry about in Dwayne De Rosario this weekend. But he will be away on international duty, playing for Canada in their friendly against Brazil in Seattle, as will starting goalkeeper Pat Onstad.
As well, in the Dynamo's last-gasp 2-2 draw with FC Dallas on Wednesday, Houston central defender Eddie Robinson was sent off by referee Alex Prus for his second bookable offense and is suspended for Saturday's game.
Osorio, for one, doesn't think that gives the Red Bulls an edge.
"Some people will think that they will miss Robinson, but I think (Patrick) Ianni and (Bobby) Boswell do a very good job for them," said Osorio, who returns to the sideline after serving a one-game suspension following an ejection. "In general the back four for them is very consistent, very experienced. The fact that they won a couple of times makes them very strong because they have been in these situations a lot of times. I would still regard them as the team to beat."
While Stammler is back and Goldthwaite, who initially hurt his back against San Jose, but aggravated it in the opening minutes against Kansas City two weeks ago, have clean bills of health, Claudio Reyna does not. The veteran midfielder missed training this week with a strained right hamstring and isn't likely to play against Houston.
Dave van den Bergh is eligible to play after serving a one-game suspension for a straight red card against Kansas City, but Osorio said he isn't going to travel with the team because van den Bergh's wife is expecting to give birth to their second son Friday.
While the van den Berghs will be welcoming an addition to their family, Osorio is hoping to add an addition to the Red Bulls' backline soon. Osorio said on Thursday that the club offered a contract to Diego Jimenez, a 22-year-old Mexican youth international who recently was playing for Tecos UAG of the Mexican Primera Division.
"We offered him a contract and now the ball is in his court," Osorio said. "Obviously I have liked what I have seen -- very aggressive, a good defender, good in the air. Good player, good guy to have around, very good professional. We'll see what he wants to do."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
