CHESTER, Pa. – The New York Red Bulls surprised many when they fielded a veteran-laden lineup for their CONCACAF Champions League opener last month.
Don’t expect that to be the case this time around.
With a packed September schedule that sees them play seven games in 23 days, the Red Bulls are planning to use several reserves for Wednesday’s CONCACAF Champions League match against the Montreal Impact (8 pm ET, FOX Sports 2) to give regulars some much-needed rest before resuming the battle for a playoff spot in the tight Eastern Conference.
The game at Stade Saputo holds significance, as it could go a long way in determining if the Red Bulls can improve on their 1-0-0 record in the competition and ultimately unseat Montreal, the current Group 3 leaders with a 2-0-0 record. But having just finished playing in three hard-fought conference contests in a span of eight days, and with the game sandwiched between last Saturday’s 2-2 draw at the Philadelphia Union and this Saturday's game against the high-flying Seattle Sounders, New York plan to try and grab a result with a side comprised of mostly depth players.
“Wednesday’s game will be a lot of guys getting an opportunity, to be honest with you,” Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke said after Saturday's tie against the Union. “We have six games left in MLS. The six games are very important. The Champions League is important as well, but we’re going to do what’s right for the club.”
Throughout the season, Petke has refrained from directly saying that the MLS regular season is more important than the Champions League. He has, however, hinted that more of a priority lies in reaching the playoffs. That is why the Red Bulls will rotate their lineup, potentially using backup goalkeeper Ryan Meara and other players who have seen limited minutes in MLS play this season, as they attempt to build on August’s 2-0 victory over Salvadoran club FAS while giving fatigued veterans time to recover.
“I looked to the guys around the 70th minute, and I was just praying that they had enough to finish it off,” said goalkeeper Luis Robles following Saturday’s tie at PPL Park.
As for the status of injured striker Bradley Wright-Phillips, Petke does not intend to play him Wednesday but has not ruled out seeing the Budweiser Golden Boot leader return to action from a hamstring issue this weekend.
“We’re hoping that he’ll be ready for Seattle,” said Petke.
Franco Panizo covers the New York Red Bulls for MLSsoccer.com. He can be reached by email at Franco8813@gmail.com.
