The Red Bulls play a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal tomorrow in Chicago, just three wins away from their first-ever major trophy. But if they’re to get past the four-time champion Fire, they’ll have to do it with an entirely-reserve lineup, Mehdi Ballouchy the only seasoned regular in the Starting XI.
After looking slow and exhausted in last Saturday’s 1-0 loss to rival D.C. United, and bracing for a cross-country trek to L.A. for next Saturday’s MLS tilt at Chivas USA, coach Hans Backe will spare his regulars. Right back Chris Albright will make his return after hernia surgery, but even Juan Agudelo will be held out in the likelihood injured Luke Rodgers can’t go against Chivas USA.
“Mehdi is the only one. He’ll travel with the team,’’ Backe said. “We could’ve played Agudelo, but with Luke’s heel you don’t really know.’’
Ballouchy will be the lone veteran presence in the attack, and will start up front alongside rookie first-round pick Corey Hertzog. Albright will try to provide vocal leadership from the back, albeit from out wide.
“I feel pretty good, get some run tomorrow. (I feel) significantly better,’’ said Albright, who last tested himself in the May 11 friendly loss in Montreal. He came out of that needing hernia surgery, but now says his hernia, knees and other body parts are fine, and he’s looking forward to getting back out on the field in earnest.
“That was a rest to see where my sports hernia was, and it was a failing grade. But I feel better going into this. This is a game we want to win, first and foremost, but it’s for me to get some fitness as well and I feel much better than I did before the surgery…getting back in the team, getting fit and getting a win in Chicago.’’
The 32-year-old Albright has won three MLS Cups and a U.S. Open Cup with the Galaxy team that won the double in 2005. And despite the fixture congestion that has Backe using a young, inexperienced lineup tomorrow _ seven games in three weeks _ he understands the importance of the opportunity the Red Bulls have.
“How many championships do we have at Red Bull?” Albright asked rhetorically. “So, yeah, obviously any time you get close to a championship, we want to win. And for a lot of the guys who’re playing tomorrow, it’s a chance to prove themselves, and get some time in a real game and a real environment. We’re certainly taking it as seriously as we can.’’
And to that end, he’ll try to provide leadership to a lineup of ten field players that could well be all first or second-year players, except ex-Rapids Ballouchy and Stephen Keel.
“It most important to be vocal on the field and make sure you’re organized,’’ said Albright. “These young guys have a lot of talent but they’re still learning situations and tactics and stuff like that, so it helps having guys out there who’ve played and hopefully that experience helps somewhat.’’
If the Red Bulls win, they’re scheduled to play a semifinal on Tuesday, Aug. 30. That’s two days after hosting the Galaxy in a 7 p.m., ESPN2 game. Backe had initially thought the game was to be played in the week between their Emirates trip to London and their game at Real Salt Lake; but now he’s cautiously optimistic he might be able to sprinkler in a few more starters, should they advance.
“Could be, absolutely…That makes a little difference if we are in the semifinal because I thought it was after the Emirates,’’ said Backe. “As with any team, when you’re in and playing you want to win. And if we reach the semifinals, we’ll just have to see.’’
If they win tomorrow, they would play either against Sporting Kansas City at Livestrong Sporting Park, or at home against USL Pro side Richmond Kickers. The teams play tomorrow as well in a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal.
Backe also shot down reports _ that originated from Theo Walcott _ that the Red Bulls had lured 41-year-old keeper Jens Lehmann out of retirement.
“I can tell you Jens Lehmann is not going to be our goalkeeper,’’ Backe said with a chuckle. “But otherwise I am not commenting.’’