If the New York Red Bulls are going to beat the Los Angeles Galaxy this weekend, they will have to do so without standout midfielder Teemu Tainio.
The Finnish midfielder has been ruled out of Saturday's Galaxy-Red Bulls match after he was unable to fully recover from the groin injury that forced him to leave last week's 1-0 victory against Sporting Kansas City at halftime. The Red Bulls confirmed on Friday that Tainio will not travel with the team to California.
Tainio has arguably been the Red Bulls best player through the first seven weeks of the season, with his sharp passing and work rate helping the New York midfield dominate opponents.
Without Tainio, New York will have to turn to either Carl Robinson or Mehdi Ballouchy to start against a strong Galaxdy side.
What do you think of this development? Who would you start in Tainio's place? Think New York can beat the Galaxy without Tainio?
Share your thoughts below.
