Are you setting a standard for one-week-ahead-of-game preview posts, or are you just overexcited, like me?

See you in 214! Hurrah!

No, I am going to try and give a preview about a week or so out.

Gameday
Post Game the next day
within 48 hours a new preview.

And YES, Red Bull have a few new CBs, but I don’t think they will be starting ahead of Petke in week one.

1. Jon Conway, not Jeff
2. van den Bergh, not van der Bergh
3. Leitch is no longer with NY

I anticipate a high scoring game, but don’t quote me on that.

The Red Bulls are going to have a FAST team. Angel will be leading maybe not the most powerful offense in the MLS this season, but they will be very quick on their feet. On the flip side, with Parke out of the picture, their defense may not be as strong as they’d hope. I don’t think Cepero and the backline will be prepared for Montero.

I’m worried about a positive outcome for this game though. I think our defense has been built quite nicely now, and that our weak point is the midfield. Stephen King doesn’t really seem to have the balls to be providing what we need when he plays in the mid. Tom Taiwo might be able to fill that gap if he signs, but hopefully Ljungberg will return and bring with him that experience we’ve been promised (without any further injuries). Alonso and Nyassi seemed to lack some intensity in the Colorado match too— I hope they worked the jitters out of their system. On top of it all, Zakuani, Ljungberg, Smith, Graham, and Vagenas are all injured, which really removes a significant amount of depth for what could be a grueling schedule with the USOC coming up. That is, if we qualify. Here’s to hoping for quick recoveries, especially with Zakuani and Ljungberg.

Scary, i’ll be quite honest I wrote this about a month ago for a project that is falling apart. This was set up to post automatically and I haven’t looked at it in weeks. Thank you for the copy editing and the changes will be made shortly.

McKenzie, Zakuani could likely have played last night, but there was no need. As the USOC causing a ‘grueling’ schedule, I don’t buy it. It only adds one match this month.

Good to hear about Zakuani. And by grueling, I only mean that with extra games on top of the season with the injuries, it could make things difficult. After looking it up, we actually have some decent rest between matches between now and May.

What are your thoughts on Angel being considered the best DP in the league? Will Freddie be able to compare? I really think Schelotto could at least be a close second (if not #1), but no one seems to mention last year’s MVP…

Good preview, but the Red Bulls’ defense has since been shored up a bit. We’ve also added former Real Madrid and Barcelona player Albert Celades, who will be playing as a holding midfielder, though I am not sure he will feature on opening day.

I’ll be traveling out to Seattle for the match, along with a few other Red Bulls fans. It’s a long way to go, but should be a lot of fun.

Matt, with the Red Bulls adding so much late in the pre-season I really don’t know how effective they will be on Match Day One.

Where you guys staying? Did you need some advice on things outside of the game?

I’m actually staying at my Mom’s place in Maple Valley (BTW I am not from the area, but she has lived there for about 15 years). I’m probably going to have a few pints at Fado’s and then walk to the stadium. A few of the other guys will be there too.

On my list of projects is SoDo/Pioneer Square pub/bar guide.

As for staying in MV, I can dig that. I stay out that way most of the time ;) An actual cool place to dine and imbibe exists in Renton (you will be close) called the Red House. Also if you haven’t tried a Starbucks Clover Crafted Coffee yet, there is one in Renton Village.

Cool, thanks Dave. I will try to check those out. My mom used to live in Issaquah, then moved to (cowtown) Enumclaw and now Maple Valley. I’m not gonna have a car, but my brother has agreed to give me a ride to and from the game.