New York takes on San Jose on Sunday
NewYorkRedBulls.com
Following Saturday's "coulda, woulda, shoulda" match against Los Angeles in which three points were only seconds away, the Red Bulls head to San Jose in an attempt to complete a season sweep of a recently revamped Earthquakes club at 3 PM ET on Sunday (TV: MSG Plus, TeleFutura; Radio: WADO 1280 AM).
Sporting a 3-9-5 record (14 pts.) and sitting in last place in the Western Conference, Earthquakes General Manager John Doyle and Head Coach Frank Yallop went on a shopping spree. Darren Huckerby, Francisco Lima and Scott Sealy made their Earthquakes debuts last Saturday in San Jose's 1-1 draw with Toronto.
Although the Quakes only have managed three wins through the first half of the season, the Red Bulls know that not only has San Jose played even with strong opponents (thus the five ties), but they will also be hungry for a win at home in a playoff race in which they are very capable of contending given the weak nature of the West.
"We can't take San Jose lightly," Red Bulls defender Jeff Parke said. "With them being an expansion team, what do they have to lose? You're expected to do bad. Come out, play as hard as you can, and hopefully you get a win. You're playing at your home field, (in front of) your home crowd, (and) against a team like us that has had some good games and some bad games. We have to go in and go for the three points."
Parke also commended the Earthquakes' newest signings.
"Obviously with San Jose getting a couple goal scorers, I think it will be difficult," Parke said. "I think (Scott) Sealy is a good player. It will be a good challenge for us. I think they just got (Darren) Huckerby. He's proven himself. He's got some pace. With them up front, they'll be a handful."
Coach Juan Carlos Osorio stressed that the team is regrouping following Saturday's match - a match he, the team and its fans thought was wrapped up.
Osorio also broke down the final two minutes of stoppage time in the team's match against Los Angeles, and suggested that defending down the stretch will be a key point moving forward.
"I wish I had the answer, but I don't," Osorio said. "We were defending too deep. Football wise, there were three things that we could have done better: a) close on them quicker; b) prevent that right foot cross, forcing (Landon Donovan) to his left foot; and c) dealt with the cross in a better way. As far as mentally, I think you either have it or you don't ... Next time hopefully we deal with it in a better way."
Jorge Rojas will play his second match on Saturday in a Red Bulls uniform, and if his second resembles his first, that should be okay with Red Bulls fans.
"I think if Jorge would have scored one of those three chances than he would have been the Man of the Match," Osorio said. "I think he clearly showed everybody, in my opinion, his biggest asset is his ability to see the final pass and his ability to execute. Plus the fact that he was contributing trying to regain possession. I think he showed everybody that he is the right player for this team."
Sporting a 3-9-5 record (14 pts.) and sitting in last place in the Western Conference, Earthquakes General Manager John Doyle and Head Coach Frank Yallop went on a shopping spree. Darren Huckerby, Francisco Lima and Scott Sealy made their Earthquakes debuts last Saturday in San Jose's 1-1 draw with Toronto.
Although the Quakes only have managed three wins through the first half of the season, the Red Bulls know that not only has San Jose played even with strong opponents (thus the five ties), but they will also be hungry for a win at home in a playoff race in which they are very capable of contending given the weak nature of the West.
"We can't take San Jose lightly," Red Bulls defender Jeff Parke said. "With them being an expansion team, what do they have to lose? You're expected to do bad. Come out, play as hard as you can, and hopefully you get a win. You're playing at your home field, (in front of) your home crowd, (and) against a team like us that has had some good games and some bad games. We have to go in and go for the three points."
Parke also commended the Earthquakes' newest signings.
"Obviously with San Jose getting a couple goal scorers, I think it will be difficult," Parke said. "I think (Scott) Sealy is a good player. It will be a good challenge for us. I think they just got (Darren) Huckerby. He's proven himself. He's got some pace. With them up front, they'll be a handful."
Coach Juan Carlos Osorio stressed that the team is regrouping following Saturday's match - a match he, the team and its fans thought was wrapped up.
Osorio also broke down the final two minutes of stoppage time in the team's match against Los Angeles, and suggested that defending down the stretch will be a key point moving forward.
"I wish I had the answer, but I don't," Osorio said. "We were defending too deep. Football wise, there were three things that we could have done better: a) close on them quicker; b) prevent that right foot cross, forcing (Landon Donovan) to his left foot; and c) dealt with the cross in a better way. As far as mentally, I think you either have it or you don't ... Next time hopefully we deal with it in a better way."
Jorge Rojas will play his second match on Saturday in a Red Bulls uniform, and if his second resembles his first, that should be okay with Red Bulls fans.
"I think if Jorge would have scored one of those three chances than he would have been the Man of the Match," Osorio said. "I think he clearly showed everybody, in my opinion, his biggest asset is his ability to see the final pass and his ability to execute. Plus the fact that he was contributing trying to regain possession. I think he showed everybody that he is the right player for this team."
