1. Take Red Bulls by the Horns:
The Quakes made a statement in Seattle, why not in New York? Off to an unbeaten start, the Red Bulls (2-0-2) are probably expecting to feast on points during a three-game homestand against Western Conference foes. But the Red Bulls can be rattled if the Quakes take the game to them early and plant a seed of doubt. Road teams become scary simply by hanging around. The longer the game stays close, the more the pressure builds on the home side. But it will take a passionate, well-organized 90-minute effort to pocket a road point or three. The Quakes are more athletic and dynamic than the club’s 2014 side, and the effort has been consistently good under coach Dominic Kinnear, so they are capable of a road thrill. Seattle has already learned that.
2. Feed MPG, Starve BWP:
The Quakes (3-3-0) are at their best when Matias Perez Garcia is finding seams in defenses, with teammates making runs off him. Good things will happen if speedsters Sanna Nyassi, Innocent and Shea Salinas create space for MPG by attracting attention. It’s the divide-and-conquer method. But the Quakes need to avoid losing possession too cheaply – the bane of most MLS road teams -- and thus force their big center backs to chase Bradley Wright-Phillips and dangerous winger Lloyd Sam, among others. Sam is in good form. He was named to the MLS Team of the Week after scoring in the 90th minute of a 2-2 draw at D.C. United. Mr. Breakaway, Wright-Phillips had a league-best 27 goals last season. In a 1-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Avaya Stadium, the Quakes stymied a fast counterattacking team by making Vancouver play defense -- a lot of defense -- all over the field. Picture a full-court press in basketball keeping an opponent from settling into a comfortable offensive rhythm. Harried players make mistakes.
3. Test the back four early:
Like the Quakes, the Red Bulls have managed to excel while sorting out a makeshift back line because of injuries out wide. Credit their success to the teams’ depth and positive attitude. Red Bulls center back Ronald Zubar and left back Roy Miller, both team mainstays, have returned to first-team training this week. If they play, the Quakes should test their quickness and stamina early. Chris Wondolowski, as he showed again in Seattle, has a knack for breaking opponents’ hearts on the road. If New York focuses too much on the speed burners and MPG, watch out for Wondo. But you already knew that.
