With 17 games between MLS games and having not played a Reserve League game since June 3 because of three cancellations, the New York Red Bulls needed a game just to stay sharp.
They found a willing opponent in the Long Island Rough Riders of the Premier Development League of the United Soccer Leagues, a team primarily comprised of area college players.
The Red Bulls flexed their muscles and cruised to a 6-1 win in the sweltering heat Thursday afternoon at Montclair State University. But more important than the result, every healthy player -- and even one trialist -- was able to get a run on the artificial turf where the temperature exceeded 100 degrees.
"I think it's good to get out sometimes and play against somebody else," Red Bulls coach Bruce Arena said. "Today I was more concerned with our younger players because they have gone so long because of us having to cancel a reserve game or our opponent having to cancel a reserve game."
Juan Pablo Angel, Claudio Reyna and Seth Stammler played the first half-hour, with Reyna setting up Angel on five minutes for the game's first goal. Dave van den Bergh scored in the 27th minute to make it 3-0 before Alex Grendi set up Tadeu Terra, a Brazilian-born midfielder at St. John's, with the Rough Riders' lone goal in the 35th minute.
"It was important because I can feel a professional environment," Terra said. "It was a good experience, I was excited to play this game."
Those players not participating, including defenders Kevin Goldthwaite and Chris Leitch, watched from a shady area behind one of the nets. Just in front of them, Jozy Altidore worked on his fitness with Pierre Barrieu.
Atop the metal bleachers at the artificial turf field were Arena and assistant coaches Richie Williams and John Harkes. While keeping a watchful eye on his players, Arena also got a chance to see trialist Francis Doe in a game situation. The Liberian striker didn't disappoint, scoring a goal and setting up two others in the first half.
"I was supposed to be here since January, but I had difficultly leaving my team," Doe said. "I was willing, but right now I'm free and I'm glad to be here. I really hope I can be with this team, sign a contract, because all the guys are good."
Doe is no stranger to Major League Soccer, having spent time at FC Dallas on trial as well. Formerly of the Minnesota Thunder of the USL First Division, Doe most recently played for Atromitos of the Greek Super League and has also drawn interest from English First Division side Watford FC and Argentine powerhouse Boca Juniors.
"In football you have to be friends with [your teammates] and all the guys are very friendly, they're good guys and they work for each other," Doe said of the Red Bulls. "They have a couple of talented players, experienced players like Claudio and Juan Pablo. I feel good playing with them."
Arena declined to comment about Doe, whose nickname is "Grandpa" and who has been out of contract since March.
Doe was in the starting lineup, which was full of regular first-team players including Dema Kovalenko, Dane Richards and Jeff Parke, who played the first half after being ruled out of the Red Bulls last game with a torn hamstring.
"The worst part is the heat, but everything else was great because you try to get rust out, all the bad plays that you hope not to make during practice or a game out here," Parke said. "You get some competition and all of us get a run, too."
John Wolyniec came on for Angel on the half-hour and scored a first half brace to give the Red Bulls a 5-1 lead at the break. With the exception of Carlos Mendes and Clint Mathis, the Red Bulls fielded a Reserve Division side in the second half, with Mike Magee getting his first extended playing time of the season after off-season surgery. Magee, the longest tenured member of the Red Bulls, has yet to play with the first team this season.
The lone goal of the second half was scored by Joe Vide, who took a pass from Sinisa Ubiparipovic and ripped a shot from outside the 18-yard box to the left of goalkeeper Jason Landers, another St. John's University standout.
"I had a nice little layoff, I picked my head up and kicked it pretty much as far as I could," Vide said. "If it goes in, it goes in. If it goes for a throw-in, that's alright as well."
Without points in the MLS standings on the line, the players didn't have much pressure on themselves. But at least they played a game, which breaks up the monotony of daily training sessions.
"I was just looking at our players, in particular our young players, but I was happy to see some of the older guys played like Angel and Reyna," Arena said. "Reyna was very good today and they approached it with the right attitude. We're not going to find out a whole lot about Claudio and Juan today, but we got to see a bit more of Randi Patterson and a few other guys."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
Scoring Summary:
NY: Juan Pablo Angel 1 (Claudio Reyna 1) 5'
NY: Dave van den Bergh 1 (Francis Doe 1) 27'
LI: Tadou Terra 1 (Alex Grendi 1) 35'
NY: Francis Doe 1 (John Wolyniec 1, Randi Patterson 1) 36'
NY: John Wolyniec 1 (Dema Kovalenko 1, Francis Doe 2) 39'
NY: John Wolyniec 2 (Dane Richards 1) 45'
NY: Joe Vide 1 (Sinisa Ubiparipovic 1) 52'
New York Red Bulls Lineup:
Jon Conway (Danny Cepero 46'), Hunter Freeman (Chris Karcz 64'), Seth Stammler (Carlos Mendes 30'), Jeff Parke (Blake Camp 46'), Randi Patterson, Dave van den Bergh (Mike Magee 46'), Dema Kovalenko (Elie Ikangu 46'), Claudio Reyna (Joe Vide 30', Sal Caccavale 61'), Dane Richards (Jerrod Laventure 46'), Juan Pablo Angel (John Wolyniec 30'), Francis Doe (Clint Mathis 46')
