HARRISON, N.J. – The New York Red Bulls booked their playoff tickets on Saturday night with an ugly 1-0 win over Kansas City. The team now holds a two point lead in the Eastern Conference as they battle for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.
A look at the player ratings following the performance:
GK – Bouna Coundoul – Perhaps the New York keeper’s best performance since April when he stood on his head in a home win over FC Dallas. Coundoul stopped everything, controlled his area and made several outstanding saves. Simply fantastic. Rating: 9
D – Chris Albright – A nice all-around performance by Albright who moved well into the attack and did his share defensively against a feisty and aggressive Kansas City attack. Rating: 6
D – Carlos Mendes – The center back did well but seemed a little lost and desperate at times against a relentless Kansas City attack. Rating: 5.5
D – Tim Ream – Ream was overall solid but like Mendes, struggled with the movement of the Wizards attackers. His distribution was subdued as he seemed perfectly content to play the safe ball. Rating: 5.5
D – Roy Miller – The left back had a handful in containing Kei Kamara, but did well in keeping the Kansas City forward limited in terms of quality scoring opportunities. Once again, Miller moved well into the attack. Rating: 6
M – Dane Richards – Had a goal but easily could have had two more in the match. Continued to show maturation in his service and overall quality of play. Rating: 7.5
M – Tony Tchani – It was a game of muscle for Tchani, who was called on to supply some bite in the midfield with the injury absence of Rafa Marquez. Did a lot of dirty work in terms of winning the ball and carrying it forward. Rating: 7
M – Joel Lindpere – Lots of tracking back and defensive work by the left midfielder who got stuck-in all match long. Also provided some very nice service down the flank. Rating: 7
M – Mehdi Ballouchy – Playing more centrally as a midfielder, Ballouchy had a quiet night. Seemed to lack the confidence and free reign he’s had in his previous two matches. Rating: 6
F – Juan Pablo Ángel – Suffered from a severe lack of service from the midfield, but Angel’s movement seemed out of sorts and not at all in sync with the rest of the attacking players. Rating: 5
F – Thierry Henry – The second highest paid player in the league remains stuck on two goals. Like Ángel, his efforts seemed disjointed. Went close a couple times – the goals will come – just not Saturday night. Rating: 5.5
Substitutions
M – Carl Robinson – Have to like the way Robinson came into a chippy match and only added to the chippiness. Kudos on his ball-winning and disruptive play and the occasional clever pass to maintain possession. Rating: 6
D – Mike Petke – It was a brief but busy late appearance for Petke, who helped solidify the backline and won several aerial battles to preserve the shutout. Rating: 6
Kristian R. Dyer can be reached for comment at KristianRDyer@yahoo.com and followed at twitter.com/kdyer1012
