New York Red Bulls Eliminate FC Dallas from MLS Playoffs

Never thought it would end like this. Hard to believe it, but I think the George John almost-transfer cost us this season. We looked more gutless than New York, and if you had told me that in July I would have thought you were high.

My wife’s been in labor the last 34 hours (with still a ways to go), so I only got to watch highlights of the match. Very frustrating, but at least I won’t feel obligated to name my son Brek or Ugo. Since I’m in think-about-the-future mode personally, I’d like to shift that to FCD. As far as I can tell, here are FCD’ concerns going into the offseason:
 - a couple strikers – Obviously this is easier said than done, but Gorman and Hyndman have to find a forward with good positioning who can poach a few. Luna could become a legit second striker over the offseason as well, but the FO can’t count on that. Sign two strikers.
 - attacking midfield – Ideally, Ferreira will recover by March and drive the offense again in 2012. Also, I think Cruz has some real potential to be impactful once he’s used to MLS. Also, Leyva’s waiting in the wings. Stand pat and this should work out.
 - wings – Brek, Jackson and Chavez are an excellent rotation, with Castillo in reserve and Leyva will push for time when he starts playing D. Absolutely the strength of the squad. If Brek’s sold, just target a replacement in the draft.
 - central/holding mid – DH and Jacobsen with Guarda and Warshaw in reserve, and Ullloa promising long term. One of the reserves might just overtake DH if he struggles any more with age.
 - wing backs – Jair and Zach are entrenched, but rotating Jackson and Ugo here as reserves isn’t ideal. Moises Hernandez needs to step up or they need to trade for a reliable backup.
 - center back – George John is out of here, and after Ugo the cupboard is pretty bare. If purchasing Jack Stewart is economical, he’s a nice reserve to keep around, but not much more. Bring in a starter and a backup.
 - keeper – no worries. Hartman’s the man, what little I’ve seen and heard of Seitz make him a servicable backup, and between Sanchez and Lambo the long term looks good too.
I didn’t mention Villar, Santos, Galindo, or Hall for a reason. Unless SH sees evidence of great potential from them, they’ve got to be gone. Santos might stick around if FCD can only find one more striker.

To sum up, IMO this team only needs a couple additions at forward and CB, with some reserves being brought in at a couple other spots. I really think that a useful striker will help everything fall into place for the squad.
I don’t think the FO office has been that hard pressed to find useful strikers in the past. Finding affordable ones has been the difficult part. Brek and George’s transfer fees might be coming at the right time.
As frustrating as this team has been, they’ll still lose a useful player in the expansion draft, too. Doesn’t look like it could be quite as bad as last year’s Dax fiasco, though. Looking forward to discussion on this topic after Drew and Daniel offer their input.

…in attendance if they’re arresting their supporters. Keep it up FO, if you try really hard, you can have even less attendance than Columbus or San Jose.

As for the analysis of the team, fennsk1 hit the nail on the head…almost (can’t understand the confidence in Cruz or the promise Leyva or Guarda supposedly offers). I think Leyva and Guarda are on borrowed time before they go the way of Marosevic…but that aside, the final recommendation was spot on (two strikers and a new CB should be the focus of the offseason.) I might add an AM to backup Ferreira/replace Ferreira if he doesn’t bounce back.

In Coach Hyndman’s defense – he seemed to have already identified these weaknesses at the end of 2010 – and made an effort at fixing each of these problems in 2011 (Castillo, Santos, Cruz, Villar, Stewart, Hall) – problem is, not one of those fixes really worked out, with the possible exception of Castillo, who is still very young. So I don’t think we’re saying anything he doesn’t know already…and accordingly, I’m not in favor of sacking him. Yes, this should have been a MLS Cup/SS/Open Cup/CCL contender season (heck, at least ONE of them) instead of just a wild card into the playoffs and elimination, but I think still Coach Hyndman is the right guy for the job. He earned Coach of the Year in 2010 for a reason.

since I USE to be a season ticket holder they probably still had my number…wanted to know if I wanted some ducats to the playoff game against the RedassBulls…I said sure, put me down for three. I had a couple of buddies who I knew would go with me so I bought 3. He put it on my credit card and told me to pick up the tickets at will call…game time and my buddies drop me off at the gate to pick up the tickets and meet them for a brew across the street..obtw wtf happened to Lochrans’? anyway stood in line for, I shit you not 45 minutes in will call only to find out when I got to the window that they didn’t have any tickets waiting…need I say more…bought 3…haven’t checked to see if my card got charged twice…Hey, they called ME…enough said…had fun with my friends…