Tim Cahill’s Relationship With New York Red Bulls Hindering MLS Cup Hopes

By Douglas Smith @DFresh39 on October 5, 2014

It has been a weird week for the New York Red Bulls, with speculation that their name sake is looking to sell the team. As MLS worked to deny those reports, the relationship with Australian star Tim Cahill became fractured. The designated player is a vital part of the Red Bulls, even if he is not scoring goals. The team and player will need to repair their relationship if New York wants to have any chance to win the MLS Cup.

Cahill generally leads by example and always shows fight. He’s arguably New York’s true captain on the field. His attitude can be contagious, but it is not good at the moment. Of course, everyone remembers his goal in the World Cup that will be one of the lasting images from the summer. He can score and provide good service, but his two goals this season show that he is most needed for his tenacity.

There were reports this week that Cahill would be benched by Mike Petke for accepting a national team call-up while the Red Bulls are fighting for a playoff spot. Cahill did start the game against the Houston Dynamo on the bench this weekend. He was used as an 85th-minute substitute and promptly given a red card three minutes later for a hard challenge. It is evident Cahill’s emotional state yesterday was fragile.

Dan Dickinson of Gothamist.com reports Petke said they are proud of the players that will make appearances with their national teams. The coach also said the decision not to start Cahill was strategic. “The selection process for tonight’s game went as this: I wanted to put the 11 players out that I felt could get us a result and we got a result,” said Petke. He will not have to explain his selection process with Cahill on international duty and then serving his automatic suspension in the coming weeks. 

The Red Bulls are currently in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Cahill will now miss games against two teams chasing New York. His current attitude and relationship with the team will hinder their chances not only at a MLS Cup, but also even getting to the playoffs. Of course, Petke is not doing his team any favors with his answers about team selection. It is unfortunate there is now drama with Cahill involved, because the Red Bulls need stability on and off the field to contend for the Cup.

Douglas Smith is a soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DFresh39, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

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