Crooks: Red Bulls Enter MLS Playoffs With Us-Against-The-World Mentality

By Glenn Crooks
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Since the arrival of New York City FC and its expensive Designated Players in 2015, the New York Red Bulls and their manager, Jesse Marsch, have utilized the riches of their "noisy neighbors" as a motivational tool – the proletariat versus the aristocracy.

While the Red Bulls are a high-energy side whose effort on game day and in training sessions is guided internally by the likes of Dax McCarty, Felipe, Sacha Kljesten and Luis Robles, Marsch is consistently in search of inspiration to maintain the large chip that, if one looks closely enough, is visible on each and every person's clavicle in the organization.

A clear example was presented earlier this week when Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips was asked about the Red Bulls' recovery from losing six of their first seven matches to earn Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference championship.

"It felt to me that a lot of people were happy how we started," remarked the man who has a MLS-leading 68 goals over the last three seasons. "They thought last season was a fluke."

MORE: Schwartz: Top MLS Scorer Bradley Wright-Phillips Leads Red Bulls Into Playoffs

While there is very little evidence that "a lot of people were happy" with the Red Bulls' early season struggles (with the exception of New York City Football Club supporters), that fails to concern RBNY in the matter of provocation.

Previously, Marsch has misinterpreted remarks by NYCFC captain David Villa to arouse his side while taking offense to a celebratory team photo posted on Instagram by Villa and others after City's only win against RBNY.

"We will remember that," Marsch said at the time.

And now, MLS and the television networks have fed Marsch another irritant to goad his group. Late Thursday night, the schedule for the conference semifinals was released. NYCFC will play at Toronto FC on Sunday in prime time at 7 p.m. Eastern (FS1) while the Red Bulls are at the Impact in Montreal for a 3 p.m. kickoff (ESPN) in the midst of National Football League coverage. The New York Jets' game, for example, will conclude around halftime of the Red Bulls' match.

Consequently, the best team in the East and the MLS team in superior form on a 16-match unbeaten stretch, has the inferior nationally televised time slot.

It is more likely that Donald Trump will refrain from using the word "disaster" for the rest of his campaign than for Marsch not to mention the network slight to his team Friday and/or Saturday at training.

"Us against them" – one would have to say it is a tool that benefits the frugal, feisty and talented RBNY, in search of their first MLS Cup.

Meanwhile, New York City is preparing for Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore. The pair scored in Toronto's first-ever home playoff match, a 3-1 win over Philadelphia in the knockout round on Wednesday. Homegrown Jonathan Osorio had the game winner before a raucous playoff crowd where the home side expects over 30,000 for Sunday's match against City.

NYC earned a bye to the semifinals with a convincing 4-1 triumph over the Columbus last Sunday before 30,340 at Yankee Stadium. The emergence of Designated Player Frank Lampard for fellow DP Andrea Pirlo in the 73rd minute with the score level was consequential. Lampard, back after missing four matches with a calf injury, contributed two assists, and New York City scored three times over the final 15 minutes to secure an Eastern Final Four birth.

LISTEN: 'Soccer In The City' Podcast: It's On To The Playoffs

"When we started pushing for this playoff spot, that was related to when Frank was back with the team," said head coach Patrick Vieira, who applauded Lampard's 12 goals in 15 matches. "At the same time, I have to look how he trains this week and how he will physically cope with starting or coming off the bench on Sunday."

Barring any physical setbacks in training, Lampard will start against Toronto – but who will start in goal? There was astonishment in the press box when Vieira chose Eirik Johansen ahead of Josh Saunders against Crew SC. It was Johansen's first MLS regular-season appearance, and he appeared quite comfortable in goal.

"Eirik was really calm and really composed," Vieira said. "I was really happy with Eirik's performance against Columbus, and I'm really happy how Josh has played the season so far."

So who gets the nod Sunday?

"I have the rest of the week to make that decision," Vieira said after training Wednesday, smiling.

My predictions: Johansen starts and New York City plays Toronto FC to a 2-2 draw at BMO Field to set up a thrilling second leg at Yankee Stadium on Nov. 6.

Throw-ins

• The "soccer can be cruel" refrain was in play Thursday night in Seattle, where visiting Sporting KC lost a knockout game to the Sounders, 1-0. Nelson Valdez scored a dramatic winner in the 88th minute, and video replays support the KC claim that Valdez was offside. The guests, who had a Matt Besler goal disallowed for an offside violation, played better throughout the match. Valdez's game winner was Seattle's first shot on frame.

• Former New York City striker Patrick Mullins, with eight goals since the summer trade to D.C. United, could not manage a single shot on target as the Montreal Impact posted an unlikely 4-2 drubbing at RFK Stadium on Thursday night.

• On Wednesday night, 35-year-old Alan Gordon had a goal and two assists, and the L.A. Galaxy eased to a 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake. Gordon was the surprise starter ahead of the injured Robbie Keane, who was deemed fit for the match. Keane entered for Gordon in the 52nd minute. Landon Donovan started and played 87 minutes, assisting on the first goal of the match.

• In the first leg of the Western Conference semifinals, the Galaxy will host the Colorado Rapids at 5 p.m. Sunday (ESPN) while the Supporters' Shield winner, FC Dallas, is in Seattle for a 930 p.m. kickoff (FS1) against the Sounders.

For all things NYCFC and the world of futbol, please follow Glenn on Twitter at @GlennCrooks