For Red Bulls, new stadium and new hope

For Red Bulls, new stadium and new hope

Published Mar. 26, 2010 12:33 a.m. ET

The new stadium has been built. Now the New York Red Bulls have to construct a worthy team.

New York went a Major League Soccer-worst 5-19-6 last year, just one more than the MLS record for fewest wins in a season, and skidded to a 6-21-7 mark overall. Coach Juan Carlos Osorio was fired in August and his interim replacement, Richie Williams, was succeeded by former Notts County manager Hans Backe.

Backe combines with sporting director Erik Soler to form a new management for a perennially underachieving team that's struggled to gain attention in the nation's largest market. As defender Mike Petke said after last weekend's exhibition win over Santos, the Red Bulls have no more excuses now that they're in their $200 million, 25,000-seat soccer specific stadium alongside the Passaic River.

``It's a lot more professional, top to bottom,'' Petke said. ``Things are now done with a purpose and a meaning. The team has gone overboard to make sure we have whatever we need.''

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Estonian national team midfielder Joel Lindpere and rookie central defender Tim Ream, a second-round draft pick from Saint Louis University, should solidify a lineup that returns forward Juan Pablo Angel, who had 12 of the Red Bulls' MLS-low 27 league goals last year. The next-leading scorer, Macoumba Kandji, had just four.

New York was such a flop that it has gone winless in 27 consecutive MLS regular-season road matches (0-20-7) since May 10, 2008, at the Los Angeles Galaxy.

``Last season was like the perfect storm - everything went bad,'' forward John Wolyniec said. ``We lacked guidance. We also lacked confidence, and we had a fitting record. There's a lot more consistency now with our leadership. In pro sports, when a team goes bad, they make a ton of changes. But the roster hasn't been totally flipped over. That's new, especially for a New York franchise gone wrong.''

Backe is the team's 12th coach, following such well-known leaders such as Eddie Firmani, Carlos Queiroz, Carlos Alberto Parreira, Bora Milutinovic, Bob Bradley and Bruce Arena. Backe led the Red Bulls to a 7-0-3 preseason record heading into Saturday night's opener against the Chicago Fire - the first competitive match at Red Bull Arena.

``If we play with the right attitude and energy, then we can play at a higher level,'' Backe said. ``I don't know where we stand with the other MLS teams, but I feel content with them right now. It's definitely been my goal to organize things my way and they have adapted rather quickly to that style.''

Angel missed last weekend's 3-1 win over Santos because of a knee injury and it's not clear whether he will be back for the opener. The new stadium figures to attract large crowds, a change for a team that averaged 12,491 last year for league home games, 12th among 15 franchises.

``But it's meaningless if we don't have the performances to match the new venue,'' said Angel, the franchise's all-time leading scorer. ``We're going to be judged by it. I know the people are excited to come here. It's now up to us to keep the momentum going. Right from the beginning, we have to get off to a good start. It's important. But we can turn it around this year.''

Former Wales midfielder Carl Robinson, acquired from Toronto for a draft pick, and Costa Rican defender Roy Miller, who had been on loan to Sweden's Orgryte, figure to help form a starting lineup about half-filled with new faces. Ream and Petke figure to be surrounded in central defense with Miller on the left and Jeremy Hall on the right.

Returnees Dane Richards and Sinisa Ubiparipovic could man the midfield, with Angel joined by Mac Kandji up front.

Kandji credits Backe for a shift.

``I really like the way he ran our preseason training,'' Kandji said. ``He treats the players with respect. I like him so far. We definitely have a different feel from last year.''

While the Red Bulls made a surprise run to the MLS title game in 2008 before losing to Columbus, they couldn't have been further from a championship last year. If they are going to keep filling their gleaming new building, they have to start winning.

``The time has come,'' Richards said. ``We need to play better. Once we win games, the fans will see that we're a different team.''

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