Reyna and Stammler out vs. KC

Red Bulls midfielders Claudio Reyna and Seth Stammler are out for Saturday's match against Kansas City. Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio stated on Thursday that Reyna's strained left calf isn't likely to be healed in time to play on Saturday. Stammler is out with a herniated disc in his back.

Rookie Luke Sassano filled in well in central midfield against Los Angeles and is likely to start again vs. the Wizards. Osorio praised Sassano's performance against the Galaxy, saying he was the best player for the Red Bulls.

Red Bulls forward Juan Pablo Angel and midfielder Dane Richards trained and are set to play on Saturday. Angel sported ice on his sore left hamstring while Richards wore an icepack on his right knee after training.

What lineup might we see for the Red Bulls against the Kansas City Wizards? Here's one possible group:

------------------------Angel-----------------------

Altidore----------------------------------Richards

------------------------Magee---------------------

Van Den Bergh--------------------------Freeman

-----------------------Sassano--------------------

Goldthwaite----------Parke---------------Leitch

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

If the Red Bulls go with a three-man back-line then you'll likely see Freeman playing a wing midfield role rather than as a right back. However, if Freeman gets the nod at right back in a three then look for Richards in a midfield role, Altidore as a right forward and Danleigh Borman as a left forward.

What do you think of this potential lineup? Share your thoughts on this news and the lineup below.

Comments

[JD]

Dunno Ives,

I just feel like Jozy is lost out on the flank...

JD

[mikeK]

Is Leitch match fit now? Wasn't he carrying an injury too?

[Trex]

I agree with JD, but I bet JCO does put him out there still.

I'd rather see:

------Altidore------Angel-------
--------------Magee-------------
Borman-------------------Richards
-------------Sassano-----------
DVB---Goldthwaite--Parke--Freeman
Conway

With DVB pushing up alot and Borman sliding more central... So I guess it would look more like a 3-5-2, but I know this won't be the lineup. I just think that this would put players in their most effective positions as opposed to out of position.

[Mighty]

I would like to see Reyna sign with Miami FC. Thats what i would like!!!

[Coach]

I don't see why we can't just play the same 4-4-2 as last week. It worked, and everybody is playing their most effective position (I know DVB is arguable but I like him at left back).

The only reason to play a 3-5-2 is because of a certain DP that can only play in that formation and he's not playing Saturday.

[kpugs]

Dammit.

[Chris]

Well I normally hate seeing Altidore play out in a wide midfield spot, but in this formation it's more like a 3 pronged attack with less midfield work for him. May work out. Horrible to hear how banged up we are though. Two starters out and two more wearing ice packs in order to be available for the match (to be played on turf).

[Steve T.]

I want to start a countdown calendar. When does Reyna's contract expire?

[inkedAG]

Please, please please!!! No more Jozy as a winger!! He's a forward dammit!!!

[Haig]

Time for the cripple to retire.

[KingSnake]

I said 18 months ago when Reyna first signed that this would happen. A lot. All the time. Continuously.

[Chris]

Damn it Ives! For a split second I saw Reyna's big head and thought it was big news that he was retiring.

[Mike22]

If that ends up begin the line up, itooks like another team is channeling the genius of Steve Sampson. Woot 3-6-1

[JSquaredNY]

I hate seeing Altidore practically on the flanks. I really think he's ineffective. There have been countless times so far this season where he can't hold the ball and distribute. Whenever he's out there he's always losing possession and falling to the ground. I know we won't play him as a ST w/ JPA, but I think that it's just not a smart play to have him there seeing how unsuccessful he's been in that position.

[LJ]

Well, if Altidore keeps playing there, I'm going to hope he leaves soon rather than hoping he stays a bit more.

[jahuff]

Although Altidore has looked his best as a striker, putting him on the flank will allow him to practice his one on one skills. Also he is learning a new skill set and presumably how to cross. It could be a good way to develop him into a more well-rounded player.

In addition learning a new position will give him flexibility once he moves to Europe. At the beginning of his career he may need to fill in on the wing or possibly as a forward in a 3-3-4; so it might end up helping him.

[ag nigrin]

We will see the same line-up we saw vs. the LA Gals...

Conway
Freeman Parke Goldy
RichardsMageeSassanoVDBBorman
AltiAngel

[PlacidoDomingo]

Reyna injured? hahahaha... of course! That is not news.

I will miss Stammler's grit. Wish his recover soon.

[Paul Lorinczi]

Reyna's old ODP coach is here in Indiana.

He has had injury problems his whole life. He said he was always injured then.

I am sure the field turf is not friendly to his body. That stuff can kill you. (I don't care what anybody says)

[Drew]

Ives-

It's not really an update that Reyna is out.

It's only a newsflash if he IS going to play.

[Guyon]

Can we finally dump Reyna, i see that alot of european players have just been released from there clubs, such as Patrik Berger of Angel's old club Aston Villa ! God knows we need some players in the middle. Red Bull wake up lets go spend some of that loot ! Millions on a caf/sugar rush and we have to watch this guy play 50 min and leave the game everytime.

[AdamAlfi]

Claudio Reyna IS A WASTE OF MONEY AND SHOULD HANG UP HIS BOOTS!!! REYNA, IF YOU ARE READING THIS, SAVE YOUR UGLY MUG AND RETIRE! YOU STINK WORSE THAN GARBAGE ON A HOT SUMMER DAY!!