Is Rodgers A Better Pairing For Henry Than Agudelo?

Intelligent runs, silky passes, pinpoint crosses, assassin –like finishing.

Head coach Hans Backe’s decision to start Luke Rodgers along Thierry Henry looked like a stroke of genius during the New York Red Bulls’ 3-0 destroying of the San Jose Earthquakes. For the first time this season, the team had a cohesive pairing up top and it looked decisive and deadly.

As good as Juan Agudelo has looked this season, the promising 18-year old has not meshed well with his former France international counterpart. Could it be that both Henry and Agudelo are too similar to be paired together?

Read between the lines.

“Agudelo, he wants to be involved in the game whether it’s being on the left or on the right side,” Henry said. “Luke just wants to score, he’s a different type of player than myself or Agudelo.”

Throughout the first few weeks of the Red Bulls season, we have seen the individual magnificence of Agudelo. He’s strong and powerful yet he also has explosive pace that allows him to go directly at defenders. However, despite all the brilliant ability that has been highlighted by his recent goals for club and country, very little attention has paid to the parts of his game that still need to be developed.

So far Agudelo hasn’t shown whether or not he can work within an offensive philosophy. As excited as fans are about his scoring prowess, what might be even more exciting is when he finally assists on a goal this season. Yes, it’s early and obviously three games into season is a bit hasty to call out anyone as a ball hog but Agudelo hasn’t been as adept in his passing as he has been in scoring.

During the Red Bulls three games in which Henry and Agudelo started together, it was clear to see that the pairing was out of sync. Both Henry and Agudelo need the ball to be effective and when they both don’t have the ball, they look lost on offense. Whenever Agudelo had possession in the previous matches, you could see Henry looking around aimlessly realizing he probably wouldn’t get the ball back.

Rogders isn’t as talented as Henry or Agudelo and he definitely doesn’t come across as imposing in his 5’8 frame but he understands his role within the system. Playing with Henry up top, he never forced the issue and played like a true poaching striker only taking advantage of the opportunities that were available. In hindsight, if Henry didn’t miss some golden sitters in the second half, Rodgers would have had two additional assists to tally in his stellar two goal and one assist performance. Henry praised the savviness of the 29-year old former Notts Co striker.

“Luke is a box player, he will always be around the goal,” said Henry. “That’s Luke, he wants to go out there and score. He wants to be involved with every offensive play.”

The 33-year old Red Bulls captain added, “He gave me opportunities and controlled the ball in the 6-yard box. That’s what you want.“

“I felt the same with Juan over the games against Houston and Philadelphia but today I scored goals, sorry.”

Backe was also very impressed if not surprised by the strong chemistry shown by Rodgers and Henry in their first pairing.

“Every time Henry came short, Luke was on the run behind for a touch or a flick. Also sometimes, they just calmed the game down and played very composed,” said Backe during his post match press conference.

“They really calmed down the game in the attacking third. There was no stress, no hectic moments in the game. So it was a little bit surprising the unique understanding between these guys.”

This is what Backe envisioned when he told reporters in the beginning of season that he wanted Red Bulls Soccer to be synonymous with playing the right way.

Due to the enormous salary and stature that Henry has in the game and the flashes of potential that Agudelo has shown, Rodgers will have to continue performing at a top level to keep a consistent starting role. Yet, this might be what is necessary to ultimately get the best out of Agudelo.

The situation that the Red Bulls academy product faces isn’t much different from the one that Jozy Altidore faced five years ago when he was being heralded as the next great thing for American soccer. Back then, aside from Juan Pablo Angel, the team didn’t have any other striker that could challenge Altidore. So on sheer natural ability, the then 17-year old was allowed to start every game alongside Angel. There is no question that Altidore definitely impressed on the MLS level, as his 10 million dollars USD transfer fee to Villareal in 2008 proved, but there are concerns that he never had the opportunity to develop the deficiencies in his game. After being loaned away by the Yellow Submarines for the third successive season, those concerns are appearing more and more valid.

The main reason why Backe recruited Rodgers over the past year is due to his work rate. He works hard for every opportunity and tracks back to help the defense when necessary. Henry was impressed about how the 29-year-old’s example inspired everyone to do whatever was needed to win. Rodgers was humbled by his opportunity to play but was happy to demonstrate his capabilities.

“We have two great forwards in Agudelo and Henry, so I wasn’t sure when I was going to get my chance but I was so happy to be out there today and show what I could do, “said Rodgers.

A selflessness that will hopefully impress young Agudelo to incorporate similar attributes into his game.