Wed Mar 26 14:51:59 2008

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'08 Season Preview: Red Bulls enter another transition year

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New York, NY (Sports Network) - The Red Bulls are in another transition year heading into the 2008 Major League Soccer season with Juan Carlos Osorio taking over for the departed Bruce Arena, making him the 11th head coach in the 13-year history of the New York franchise.

"We are still getting through the process in what Juan wants and the way he is going to play and stuff like that," New York star striker Juan Pablo Angel said. "Hopefully by the first game of the year we are going to be ready to go. Ideally you would like to start well and make a run in the playoffs."

The New York franchise hopes the Colombian tactician can build a consistent winner, something that none of the previous coaches have been able to do. New York has yet to even advance to the MLS Cup final in its history. One of the main things Osorio has brought to the team this preseason is intensity and discipline.

"I think that is just the way I am, the way I live for this game and the way I am in general as a coach and a human being," Osorio said of his intensity. "I hope it works. We'll just keep doing that and hopefully it will pay dividends."

Players are welcoming the change in attitude, although they admit it gets a little tedious.

"It has been real intense in preseason," midfielder Seth Stammler said. "Sometimes it's a drag that it's so serious, but I think it's going to pay off in the long run. When training is that intense it's going to be a lot easier to get up for games and be more comfortable in those situations."

"He's an intense man and I think that intensity translates over to the players in practice and I think the practices have been real competitive," goalkeeper Jon Conway said. "I think that's great because we need that sort of fight in the games."

Adding to the transition is a roster that is still not set, according to Osorio, who said the team is either in the process of signing or in pursuit of a winger, a defensive midfielder and/or a central defender.

"I think when we sign those two or three players that we will be a very good team," Osorio said. "Hopefully that is the case (by the time the MLS transfer window closes on April 15) because the sooner we get it done the better for everybody."

The three players on Osorio's radar remain a mystery, but he did divulge that two are from South America and one is from Europe.

"It's hard because we are getting players, we know that," midfielder Claudio Reyna said. "Also, Jozy (Altidore) and Hunter (Freeman) weren't with us (because of their participation with the U.S. Olympic team). Dane (Richards) has been out (with a knee injury). Dave (van den Bergh) hasn't been around much for some private reasons, so it's quite clear to see that probably six or seven very important players haven't been around (for the majority of preseason) for one reason or another."

Despite the absences, Osorio is happy with the way his lineup is shaping up. He plans to start the season in a 3-5-2 formation, but that could change, depending on the personnel at his disposal.

"I think we want to create enough chances to win games and we really have to create offensive chances," Osorio said. "For the start of the season we will probably go with three in the back and see how it works."

Jeff Parke and Chris Leitch will probably flank Carlos Mendes in the back with Kevin Goldthwaite and rookie Eric Brunner also competing for playing time.

"It has been pretty competitive in the preseason," Mendes said. "We have a bunch of guys fighting for spots so it has been good. I honestly think from top to bottom we have some quality defenders."

In goal will be eight-year MLS veteran Conway, who finally will get his chance to be a number one 'keeper heading into his third year in New York.

"Obviously it's great (to be the number one)," he said. "I never really looked at myself as a one or a two. I just came every year fighting to play and improve. For me it's just another year and I just want to go out and prove myself."

The midfield is the biggest question mark heading into the season, especially in the middle.

Stammler will man one of the two defensive posts with either Van den Bergh or Mike Magee in the other. The offensive midfielder role will probably go to Reyna, but there is a chance he could drop into the defensive role with Magee moving to the attacking role.

"I played a little bit in midfield, a little bit up front, for me it is between one of those three center positions," Reyna said. "It felt nice to be playing a little bit forward in that position closer to Juan (Pablo Angel) and Oscar (Echeverry) and eventually Jozy (Altidore) as well. You get to kind of link up more and be in the final third."

On the right wing will be rookie Luke Sassano to start the year because of injuries to Dane Richards and Hunter Freeman.

"I think Luke Sassano is doing a very good job," Osorio said. "Obviously we want Hunter and Dane back so they can compete for that position."

"I just want to do what I can for the team until Hunter and Dane get back," Sassano said. "Just kind of hold it down so we can start winning games and give these guys a chance to get healthy and rehab properly. I just want to contribute to the team and make sure everything goes smoothly."

Richards will be out for about three more months with a knee injury while Freeman learned on Tuesday that he will miss 4-6 weeks with an ankle injury he suffered while playing with the U.S. U-23 team on Sunday.

The left wing will either be Van den Bergh or newcomer Danleigh Borman until Osorio can bring in reinforcements.

"The coach, he knows what he's doing," Reyna said. "He wants to make sure when he brings a guy in it's the right guy for the right position. Hopefully some things can get resolved and players are signed soon."

Up top is the Red Bulls' strongest position. Angel, who tallied 19 goals last season, will team up with the up-and-coming Altidore, who scored nine goals in just 15 starts in his first full year in MLS last season.

"I just want to be a consistent performer," Altidore said. "I had a lot of ups and downs so far in my career. I just want to be a more consistent player."

"Jozy wasn't here during the preseason, now that he's back we would like to start working on our partnership," Angel said.

"I think the partnership will continue growing," Osorio said. "They understand each other better and they will get the best out of each other. If that is the case we will have very good chances against anyone in MLS."

The newly signed Echeverry has been filling in for the 19-year-old Altidore while he participated with the U.S. U-23 team this preseason. Either he or John Wolyniec will see significant first-team duty when Altidore departs for the Olympics in August.

The Red Bulls have a bye week this weekend - the first weekend of the MLS season - and will be in action on April 5 when they host the Columbus Crew at Giants Stadium.

"Our main goal is to get in the playoffs and from there and see how far we can go," Reyna said.

"I'm just very excited to kick the season off," Altidore said. "It's a different group of guys but I think we are moving forward. I'm very excited to participate and start playing together."