At the macro level, the New York Red Bulls organization has erred in ways big and small through the years, starting with the MetroStars days, of course. Suffice to say, the laughable litany of historic foible and kerfuffle could fill volumes.
At micro level, game-day booboos have undermined the club, too.
But perhaps none of the pitch-side blunders and mind-benders could match last night’s choice at the end of New York’s loss to D.C. United. (Let’s not count technical blunder here; we’ll only speak of choices and decisions made by players on the field.)
Let me sum up this one: Roy. Freaking. Miller. Are you serious?
(MORE: Highlights and analysis of the match)
Situation: With the Red Bulls’ season in the balance and sand in the organization’s 2012 hour glass just about out, D.C. United and referee Mark Geiger tossed the club a lifeline. They got a free kick in the miracle-maker zone; it was just off center at the top of the penalty area arc. That’s enchanting territory for a shooter, close enough to target a realistic corner and beat the goalkeeper, far enough to get the ball over the wall and still under the crossbar.
What an opportunity. What a storybook moment, an opportunity to create history.
Up steps Thierry Henry, among the most talented and decorated men to ever slip into an MLS jersey. This was his moment, the fabulous Frenchman’s time to stamp his name into a New York professional soccer history that’s more storied than we sometimes remember.
(MORE: the Rafa Marquez toxin at Red Bull Arena)
What happened next is simply inexplicable.
Roy. Freaking. Miller. Are you serious?
No offense to Miller, the Costa Rican international, a good soldier around Red Bull Arena for three seasons. But he’s a fullback! And a reserve fullback at that!
He’s not a globally accomplished, world class sharpshooter who has passed the tests in World Cups, European Championships, problematic Champions League campaigns, brilliant La Liga nights and the most tortuously nervy EPL fixtures. Henry is all that!
And yet, Miller takes the shot.
For me, no matter what gets said about it, no matter how much arrogance and condescension Henry layers into explanations of angles and left-footers vs. right-footers or whatever, this one simply cannot be explained away. It truly is a head-scratcher for the New York athletic ages.
Here’s the shot:
