Red Bulls observations

After spending two days at training recently I have managed to gather some information on the players currently in camp. Here's a rundown:

Markus Schopp- Here's a guy who has shown this winter that he really is worth the big bucks. I haven't seen him train but my sources are saying good things about the Austrian winger. He showed some flashes last year but he was injured as well as not quite fit. He's hurt again but should be

Dave Van Den Bergh- The Dutch midfielder could wind up being the steal of the off-season. He has impressed with his passing, crossing and shooting. He's thoroughly impressed his teammates and after seeing him the past two days I can tell you that he looks much better than he did during his brief time in KC.

Ansu Toure- The Liberian striker has shown steady improvement and dropped some jaws by scoring the best goal of the preseason down in Florida. He has good feet, a great work rate, can finish and pass. I watched him in training today and he was pretty tenacious. The impression I get is that he is going to make the team.

Dema Kovalenko- This guy is an animal. He was the most impressive player in training today. Not just because of his tenacity but also his skill. He has always been underrated but I think playing alongside Claudio Reyna is going to help him show all all his strengths.

Sinisa Ubiparipovic- The central midfielder has quietly impressed with his skill set and some observers think he could see playing time at some point in the season. He looks like a safe bet to make the team.

Jon Conway- Apparently he has been a demon this pre-season. I watched him on Friday and Tuesday and he was training with some real fire. If anything happens to Waterreus I think it's safe to say Conway will be ready.

Training today included some 7v7 games and Kovalenko, Van Den Bergh and Toure stood out. One player who definitely did NOT stand out is Peter Philipakos, who had an absolute shocker. I don't know if it's the stress of trying to make the team or what but on a bunch of occasions he would get the ball and just dribble into traffic or take ill-advised shots. It was pretty painful to watch actually and it ended with Philipakos walking off after another bad possession complaining of pain in his left foot. I would put his chances of making the team at about 1-10. Actually, i have a feeling he won't be making the trip to LA, if he even returns on Wednesday.

One player who I spoke to soon on is Craig Capano. As it turns out the midfielder has looked pretty decent. The fact that he is a trialist and doesn't count against the 28 man limit means he should get a chance to go to LA and continue showing what he can do. in other words, he still has a chance to make the team.

So what's the biggest area of concern for the Red Bulls right now? I would have to go with central defense. Carlos Mendes and Jeff Parke are a decent tandem but it is clear the team could use an established player back there. It just doesn't look like one is coming at this point. Having Waterreus in goal will certainly help.

That's all for now. I'll be checking out practice on Wednesday and reporting if anything happens.

Comments

[Tim]

I assume Ansu Toure has a green card?

I'm glad Kovalenko looks good; remember Ives what grade you gave him at the end of the year.

Interesting that you feel that central defense is weaker than forward and defensive mid. Stammler must be playing quite well. Why are you so optimistic about the forward spot over Mendes and Parke?

[Ives]

As far as I know he does and what grade did I give Dema? I can't remember and don't have that story on my laptop.

[EmorySoccer]

Kovalenko is one of the dirtiest players I have ever seen play this game. I would rather have that guy on my team though than play against him.

[sublicon]

I'm in awe that Philipakos is so bad with all the hype surrounding his return to the US. Thanks for the observations, Ives. This helps so much to finally get some reliable un-biased views on who is on the squad today.

[ag nigrin]

Thanks Ives... We sure could use a Gooch or Thuram no doubt but I am confident Carlos and Jeff will rise to the occaision and hold the line in Central D.The Walrus/Wattereus and Mr. Pants/Conway will insist they do.. I hope Schopp is able to be back in a month... hip flexor's can take forever to heal... We need him big time!

[anon]

no surprise if Arena does things a little differently, but most MLS teams will reduce their roster to 28 players regardless of status as unsigned draft picks and trialits by March 1. Say March 31 if Arena wants to sign Capano or decide on the last draft picks, he can, but it's not exactly the most professional approach IF he's made his mind up now (which he's had 1 month that should be enough time). Cause the players cut will be left scrambling to find another MLS team. There's also a case to be made that it's a lot easier to build up team morale for opening day by not putting off the last cuts. Not the biggest issue, but most teams will make their decisions by March 1 (RSL and Dallas have already announced their 28 players).

[MetroFanatic]

The thing is, Bruce did not see enough of Capano in game situations; he only played in one scrimmage in Florida. In fact, Bruce mentioned that when asked about Capano. If anything, taking him to LA is giving him a better chance.

[tfina]

I'd say it's not so much that PArke and Mendes are OK (they are) - it's just that you really want at least three CBs ready to go, and while Parke is say a B- and Mendes a B, there is no one behind them to speak of. Regan is out for at least the first few months at that leaves an untested and untried Hugh McDonald or Taylor "Bambi" Graham as other options. Cause for major concern - possibly more than forward if Toure pans out and DVB gets pushed up top.

[Tim]

Your Kovalenko season review follows (November 7th). I would have given him a C+ as well or a C but I expected that Kovalenko should have done better than that. He gave some balls away when not under pressure and sometimes he lacked the speed or stamina to keep up with opponents. Don't get me wrong, I like his attitude and effort; I just expect better results.

Dema Kovalenko (C+) -- Acquired mid-season, Kovalenko quickly earned a starting role with his solid work rate, hard tackling and quality attacks. His versatility and toughness should make him a key contributor next season.

[anon]

I'm just saying that although it's fine to take Capano along. If he's not included on the list of 18 for March 1, you're also bringing along 1 player who will be cut by opening day. A way around this is if there's a player like Camp who might end up with either a senior or developmental spot. Just a question of whether Arena wants that intensity to continue (that might hurt team morale) and whether it'd be fair to cut someone right before opening day (but then again that player is likely looking to the USL to keep playing).

[flomo]

What grade do you give Ansu Toure at this point?