With the 2009 season in the rearview mirror, here are the answers to some of the biggest questions surrounding the New York Red Bulls as the club prepares for the 2010 season.
WHAT DO THE RED BULLS NEED TO DO TO MAKE THE MLS CUP PLAYOFFS IN 2010?
The first step is to get the sporting side in order and that begins with the hiring of a sporting director and a head coach. The sooner the Red Bulls do this, the quicker the preparation for 2010 can begin. A clearer definition of roles, a consistent starting XI and an improved roster would help. With Red Bull Arena opening, failure is not an option for the Red Bulls in 2010.
WHAT WAS THE TEAM'S BEST MOMENT IN '09?
The pickings are slim here, but you'd have to start with the end. The Red Bulls wrapped up their dreadful season on a high note, crushing Eastern Conference rival Toronto FC, 5-0. It was also their final game at Giants Stadium, another reason to celebrate. The Red Bulls missed the playoffs for the first time since 2002, but finished the season 3-3-1 under interim coach Richie Williams.
WHO SHOWED THE BIGGEST IMPROVEMENT OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEASON?
It didn't take long for the Red Bulls to see the signing of Alfredo Pacheco wasn't working out. In fact, the Salvadoran left back was dropped before the end of the season. Danleigh Borman made that decision an easy one for Red Bull management. He simply outworked Pacheco and earned the starting role.
It was believed Andrew Boyens would be cut by midseason, and yet the New Zealand central defender not only remained on the team, but proved to be a suitable starter down the stretch when Kevin Goldthwaite went down with an injury. New York conceded eight goals in the final eight games of the season with Boyens in the lineup.
WHAT RESERVES ARE MOST READY TO CRACK THE STARTING LINEUP?
There weren't many bright spots for a Red Bulls team that had one of the worst seasons in Major League Soccer history. But Borman showcased his versatility and increased his stock greatly. The second-year South African was used as a reserve left midfielder in his rookie season, but worked his way into the starting lineup and is a legitimate option at left back for next season.
WHAT AREA OF THE TEAM NEEDS THE MOST IMPROVEMENT?
The Red Bulls had the worst record in MLS, scored the fewest goals and were tied with FC Dallas for second-most goals conceded. So the improvement needs to be made across the board, both on the field and off. Player identification will be made by a team of scouts, instead of just the coach and sporting director, which failed miserably this year. The Red Bulls will need to find a playmaker following the retirement of Albert Celades and there are rumors the club will look to bring in Thierry Henry following the World Cup. No doubt that would help in terms of possession and scoring.
"I think [it is] important for sure that we bring our quality up on the team, that we play a real good season in MLS," said Dietmar Beiersdorfer, who was recently named sporting director for Red Bull soccer operations. "If we have a chance to bring in a player who is well known and can give us a big impact on the player side, inside, to make the other players better, but also on the communications side, media side, we will try and get a player signed who ... first of all be a very good football player and be for sure also a Red Bull testimonial."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
