May 4, 2009 LOOKING AHEAD 4 Red Bulls could be lost to international call-ups in June and July
Dane Richards could be playing for Jamaica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer. Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images
By Michael Lewis
BigAppleSoccer.com Editor
Listen, it's difficult enough for the Red Bulls to win with a full complement of players.
But they could be missing as many as four regular when World Cup qualifiers, FIFA Confederations Cup and the CONCACAF Gold Cup kick into high gear in June and July.
Assuming a worst-case scenario that every player is called into his respective National Team, the Red Bulls players expected to be affected are central defender Andrew Boyens, outside fullbacks Alfredo Pacheco and Carlos Johnson and midfielder Dane Richards.
In alphabetical order, here's a quick rundown on each player.
Andrew Boyens, New Zealand
* Boyens could miss the month of June, if he is called up for the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa. The tournament doesn't kick off until June 14. But New Zealand has international friendlies in Tanzania (June 3), Botswana (June 6) and vs. Italy in Pretoria, South Africa on June 10. The Confederations Cup first round runs from June 14-20. Any team that reaches the semifinals (the top two teams in each group, will play until June 28, when the third-place game and championship match will be contested. So, Boyens could miss up to five games (vs. D.C. United on June 4, vs. the New England Revolution on June 7, the Seattle Sounders FC on June 20, Toronto FC on June 27 and the Columbus Crew on June 27. And depending on when New Zealand leaves for Africa, the May 30 game against the Colorado Rapids could be in jeopardy as well.
Carlos Johnson, Costa Rica
Johnson, the right fullback, could be affected by two competitions -- World Cup qualifying and the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Costa Rica hosts the U.S. on June 3 and plays at Trinidad & Tobago on June 6, which would take him from the United and Revs encounters. The Costa Ricans will play in the Gold Cup group play from July 3 through July 10, which would take Johnson out of the FC Dallas game on July 4 (the Central Americans' first-round schedule ends on July 10. However, if they reach the quarterfinals on July 18-19, Johnson would miss the Los Angeles Galaxy match on July 18. If they qualified for the championship game on July 25, he could not play for the Red Bulls in their July 25 game at the Colorado Rapids.
Alfredo Pacheco, El Salvador
Pacheco, the left fullback, could be affected by qualifying and the Gold Cup as well. El Salvador hosts Mexico on June 6 and plays at Honduras four days later. That would make him ineligible for the Revs and United matches. Pacheco also would be subject to a similar scenario as Johnson in the Gold Cup.
Dane Richards, Jamaica
Since Jamaica did not reach the final round of the CONCACAF WC final round, he would be available for the Revs and D.C. However, if he is called into his National Team for the Gold Cup, he would follow the same scenario as Johnson and Pacheco.
