the date the international transfer window opens, the date on which the Red Bulls' roster opens up to new possibilities.
Juan Carlos Osorio isn't keeping any secrets. "I can't wait for the 15th of July, when we can sign some players and make a very competitive team," Osorio said.
That came following New York's 4-0 Fourth of July defeat to Colorado. The Rapids' victory was the third on Independence Day against New York, the last coming on July 4, 1998.
Juan Pablo Angel saw his first action (Angel entered the match in the 46th minute) in five regular-season games, but his lone attacking presence in the second half wasn't enough. Ever since Jozy Altidore's transfer to La Liga's Villareal, Osorio has adamantly pointed out not only the need to purchase contracts - but the necessary reality to do so in order to compete in a very competitive Eastern Conference down the stretch of the 2008 season.
Osorio's shopping spree included Central and South America, and the Red Bulls front man secured Jorge Rojas and Juan Pietravallo, from Venezuela and Argentina, respectively. Both are respected midfielders, and Osorio fulfilled his desire to improve in the attacking third. Unfortunately for Red Bulls fans and Osorio alike, Rojas and Pietravallo will have to wait until the transfer window (July 15) passes, the league approves the transfer as well as the receipt of P1-visas.
However, the Red Bulls front office staff has laid the ground work to be competitive for a run at the MLS Cup.
Today, the Red Bulls face the Kansas City Wizards, a team that is desperately in need of a win to stay alive in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Currently, the Wizards sit in last place with 17 points, while the Red Bulls sit exactly three points in front of Kansas City. Like the Red Bulls, Kansas City's schedule has been relatively busy. On Tuesday, the Wizards dropped their Lamar Hunt Open Cup quarterfinal match to the Seattle Sounders of the United Soccer League in penalty kicks.
The Wizards' attacking unit has only managed 12 goals thus far this season, second-worst in the league, compared New York's 15, third-worst. Expect a low-scoring affair - or possibly a no-scoring affair.
Conversely, the Wizards defend well, having allowed 17 goals this season, whereas three games in which the Red Bulls have given up five (Chicago), four (D.C. United) and four (Colorado) have turned a previously great statistically team into a middle-of-the-road defensive team. The Red Bulls are seventh in the league in team defense in terms of goals against.
