Red Bulls practice notes

Good afternoon all. Here are some observations from Red Bulls training today:

• Juan Pablo Angel trained and looked sharp. He should be ready to go against the Galaxy on Saturday.
• Jozy Altidore missed training with an undisclosed illness. He should still be good to go on Saturday. (Not so fast, Juan osorio just said he may leave Altidore home because of concerns about fatigue.)
• Claudio Reyna did not train and his status for Saturday remains uncertain.
• Chris Leitch and Carlos Mendes both trained today and look healthy.
• Andrew Boyens was in training but he is still waiting for his visa to clear before he can play so his status for Saturday is in doubt.
• Dane Richards looked pretty sharp in training and I wouldn't be surprised if he started on Saturday.
• Eric Brunner was in training today, and ironically enough, he was paired in central defense with Andrew Boyens on the second team defense.

So what will the Red Bulls starting lineup look against the Galaxy? Here is the starting XI I see playing:

-----------------Altidore---------Angel--------------------

Richards--------Stammler-------Reyna----------Freeman

Van Den Bergh----Goldthwaite------Parke--------Leitch

---------------------------Conway--------------------------

If Reyna can't go, I believe you'll see Mike Magee.

There wasn't any evidence at training that Dane Richards would play on the left flank but it's just a hunch of mine. You could also see Richards at right mid, Freeman at right back and Danleigh Borman at left mid. (actually, it seems Borman is the safer bet to start on the left, with Richards coming off the bench again).

Aside from right back, the other three slots are pretty set in the back-line. Carlos Mendes did do some work with the first-team defense, but I don't see him getting the nod this weekend.

That's all for now. I'll post again after post-practice interviews so stay tuned.

Comments

[IrishBull]

Ives,

why do you think Osorio will go with the 4-4-2, as opposed to hisfavoured 3 man defence?

[Monkey Boy]

How's Freeman looking coming back from injury?

[HerthaBerwyn]

Hey guys. We all know how you covet Fire players. They have just released Bruno Menezes. So there is one for you.

[Aguinaga]

Wow, the lineups are looking like they're rounding into form with players back from injury. Would prefer to see the second possibility, with Freeman back there instead of Leitch, Richards to the right, and Borman (though I'm not too crazy about the guy). Enter future LWinger to replace Borman at some point, and things look very encouraging using either a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2. Thanks Ives.

[Dannyc58]

Well those injuries make the game dramatically less exciting.

[FredMacMurray]

I understand Jozy has had a busy schedule with international commitments, but it would be a shame for him to miss the galaxy game for fatigue. The kid is only 18. You would think after 2 days rest he could be ready to go again - even if its only a half. Kind of a big stage from an MLS standpoint to have one of its up and coming stars play against Mr Franchise.

[Brant]

"Claudio Reyna did not train and his status for Saturday remains uncertain."

Can't you just paste that just about every week? :)

[kpugs]

I thought Dane-O looked pretty good last week, I'm so happy to have him back in the fold.

[mikeK]

Up and coming? You mean up and going?

Will Woly get the nod if Jozy sits? Or will JCO play with Angel up top?

[MS]

Hmmm, players about to be transferred are often kept out of practice for very vague reasons. I hope Jozy is "OK"!

Just thought I would start a baseless rumor.

[Pat the Red Bulls Fan]

Busy year for Jozy, will he be called to play for the USMNT vs England and Spain? I figure he's s lock for Argentina in Jersey.

[Furniture Music]

It is more like Osorio doesn't want Jozy to go play in the U-23 tourney in Toulon later this month....

[Miguel]

Irishbull,

Osorio plays a 4-4-2 away and a 3-5-2 at home. The Galaxy game is away.