New York Red Bulls may have stocked up on star players in the last few weeks but when Toronto meets them on Wednesday, the Reds may just find the Harrison, New Jersey club in a precarious position.




Sunday night’s enthusiastically (childishly – if you are a critic) ‘hyped’ showdown of Designated Players between Chicago and New York was entertaining even if it didn’t produce a goal. Pivotally for Toronto, it might have also given Red Bulls coach Hans Backe a headache ahead of the Toronto clash.




Toronto will find that the resident squad at Red Bull Arena has yet to mould its expensive pieces into a singular unit with postseason purpose. The team is winless in five league games, will have on its mind a cross-country trip to Carson to face Los Angeles days later, and to make matters more difficult, Thierry Henry limped out of the Chicago clash with a groin strain.




Therein lies the dilemma for Backe.




Should the Swedish coach limit Henry believing the rest of his squad to be capable enough to put the road-weary Reds to the sword? Juan Pablo Angel alone has scored six goals against Toronto in four seasons.




Or does Backe risk Henry in an aim to secure maximum points ahead of the Los Angeles match, so there isn’t as much pressure on his team to salvage the week?




Then there’s the issue of customer service. Certainly the many new fans in the New York/New Jersey area that recently discovered their region has a professional soccer team will want to
ooh!
and
ah!
every touch the Frenchman puts on the ball.  




Henry himself admitted that the injury was taking a toll after 20 minutes. He added, "I have to do more training and we'll see over the next few days how I can get fit quickly."




We will find out if Henry can find fitness, what Backe decides and if Toronto can improve its MLS road form on
GOL TV Canada
Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.




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