July 10, 2008 BOUNCING BACK Conway, Red Bulls aim to put Rapids game behind them vs. the Wizards
When asked about how the Red Bulls can bounce back from their 4-0 loss at Colorado, goalkeeper Non Conway replied, "Amnesia, I hope." Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images
By Michael Lewis
BigAppleSoccer.com Editor
Sometimes the best way to deal with tragedy is through comedy.
Red Bulls goalkeeper Jon Conway, who had to take the ball out of his net four times during the 4-0 drubbing at the feet of the Colorado Rapids Friday, certainly put his best foot forward.
When he was asked about how the team can bounce back from such a resounding defeat, Conway replied, "Amnesia, I hope."
It was a brutal game, especially in the second half when the Rapids kept advancing the ball at will. When asked what was going through his mind, Conway answered, "To be honest with you, I was hoping we would just fast forward to the end of the game."
But seriously folks . . .
Conway elaborated on his replies. On bouncing back, he felt the players should "just forget about. Hopefully move on and not let it have a hangover effect for this week's game."
As for the second-half onslaught, Conway searched for some answers as he watched what turned into a virtual team meltdown.
"At that point, I don't know what was wrong," he said Wednesday. "Usually you have one or two guys that may have a bad performance and the other guys around somehow pick them up. When we have a bad performance it seems it is eight, nine guys, 10 guys. I can't really explain that. I don't know what that is. I don't why it happens. In that match, I was just trying to keep us in it for as long as I could. We were flat and we weren't very good on the night."
The Red Bulls will try to rebound at the Kansas City Wizards Thursday night (MSG, 8 p.m.).
"I expect a better performance from everybody," Conway said. "Again, it was a weak performance from everyone on the field. Hopefully, this will be better."
As the goalkeeper, it is important for Conway to keep his cool. But he admitted he became a bit emotional because of what was happening in front of him.
"I threw a couple of expletives out and was pretty upset on a few occasions," Conway said. "But I try to stay as calm as I can because if they see that I'm rattled then it makes a difference in the way they play. I try to keep it as calm as possible. In that situation, it just got to the part where I couldn't keep it in and let a few go to get the troops going. But it didn't seem to work out."
The Red Bulls' scoring woes certainly has an affect on the defense. They have scored only 15 goals in as many games this season and have scored one goal or less in a club-record nine consecutive matches.
So, there is more pressure on the defense and Conway to play a perfect game.
"Yeah, obviously, that's part of the problem as well," he said. "If we were scoring goals here and there we'd be in a different situation, but we haven't been. It certainly would take pressure off the defense if we were able to get one or two and put some pressure on their guys. But we haven't been able to do that."
Conway said the goal should be to "try to keep it clean. That's fine with me because I want to keep it clean every time. For the other guys, I don't know if that's affecting them and the way they are playing. I try to do that every game anyway. That makes no difference for me. I can't speak for the other guys."
Added Conway: "When we score a goal, it seems we are just playing kind of defensive afterwards and that's not what we're trying to do. It's we're not getting any relief from the offensive part of the game."
Regardless what transpires in K.C. one thing is certain -- the Red Bulls will find themselves at Giants Stadium for four of their next five MLS encounters through Aug. 24. They are in the midst of playing seven of eight games away, including five within a 16-day span.
"This is the last one of a tough stretch for us," Conway said. "Heck, if we make it hard for people to play against us at home . . . that'll be good."
But first things first -- an improved performance at Kansas City. The last thing Conway wants Thursday night is another comedy routine after dealing with tragedy.
