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NY's Richards a key player after steady improvement
Right winger finds his feet, credits teammates and coach Kristian Dyer MLSsoccer.com August 24, 2010 Dane Richards has been one of New York's best performers over the past few weeks. Dane Richards has been one of New York's best performers over the past few weeks. (Getty Images)
UPPER MONTCLAIR, N.J. – When Red Bulls fans discuss Dane Richards, a full range of emotions come out.
Some love the speedy Jamaican international and recall his brilliant playoff performance in 2008 when New York made their first-ever MLS Cup final. Then there is the Richards who has sometimes frustrated with his less-than-perfect crossing and his decision-making ability.
But over the past five games, there may not have been a better or more consistent New York player than the right-sided midfielder.
WATCH: Richards assists Kandji vs. Man. City
“Something has happened with Dane, that’s for sure,” New York head coach Hans Backe said. “He’s a threat now every game.”
Backe said that no left back in the league wants to face an in-form Richards right now. Over the past handful of league matches, Richards has done more than just burn by opponents with his speed.
In fact, earlier in the year, Richards struggled as defenders laid off of him and gave him space, nullifying his speed advantage and forcing him to hit crosses and make decisions on the ball. That meant Richards couldn’t just turn the corner on a player with a burst of speed and get into space.
But since June, Richards has been putting in extra time during practice with assistant coach Richie Williams, working on not only his crossing, but his decision-making ability. Now he’s more patient on the ball and doesn’t force the issue.
“Basically, I’m working with Richie on what I am doing, focusing on me and what I need to do and not as much on what the defender is doing,” Richards told MLSSoccer.com. “I focus on doing well whatever it is that I need to do with the ball. The repetition really helps.”
Since representing Jamaica two weeks ago in a friendly match in which he scored a goal, Richards said he is “playing more relaxed.” The confidence of that goal—and the addition of Thierry Henry up top and Rafa Márquez to the midfield—has helped Richards calm his own game, which has taken off some pressure he feels to be the constant sparkplug on the wing.
“I had a rough patch, but I scored and of course that helps,” Richards said. “Now you can feel the confidence, and now I am playing with some players who have elevated everyone’s play. I feel like I can just go out there and play soccer.”
One such player is veteran Chris Albright. The right back is always patient with Richards in practice, monitoring the player who lines up directly in front of him. The former LA Galaxy defender also communicates with Richards constantly by taking him aside to give him advice.
“It’s simply sharing with him the things I learned, the things I got from playing with Cobi [Jones] when I was with LA,” Albright told MLSSoccer.com. “Helping him know what to do when he’s on the ball or where to come in to cut off a passing angle. Those things.”
According to Richards, Albright has a simple philosophy throughout the game.
“Let’s just win our side,” Richards said.
Kristian R. Dyer can be reached for comment at KristianRDyer@yahoo.com and followed at twitter.com/kdyer1012.
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Mr Speedy Gonzales........ready for more goals
DANE RICHARDS
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
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The Observer continues to feature some of the leading Jamaican players ahead of the friendly international match between the Reggae Boyz and Costa Rica at the National Stadium on Sunday, September 5. Today we take a look at flank player Dane Richards.
Dane Richards (born December 14, 1983 in Montego Bay) plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. Richards was a member of the youth system of the National Premier League side Seba United, and while attending Cornwall College in Montego Bay, his team won the daCosta Cup and Olivier Shield. He moved to the United States to play college soccer in 2003.
RICHARDS... becoming a fan favourite for his club after a spectacular performance vs Manchester City [Hide Description] RICHARDS... becoming a fan favourite for his club after a spectacular performance vs Manchester City [Restore Description] 1/1
Richards played two years at San Jacinto College in Houston, where he scored a record 45 goals in two years, including a school-record 25 as a sophomore. Richards was drafted in the second round of the 2007 MLS Super Draft by New York Red Bulls. He had a terrific start to his MLS career, establishing himself as the first team right winger for the club. He demonstrated blazing speed and consistently was one of the most dangerous players on the field. Richards debuted with the Jamaican national team in 2002 at the age of 18, and while he was still at Clemson returned to the Jamaican national team, playing in a 1-1 friendly tie against the United States in 2006.
His play during the 2007 season did not go unnoticed by the Jamaica Football Federation as he was rewarded by being called up to the national team for friendlies against El Salvador and Guatemala in Kingston. He played in both matches which ended in victory for Jamaica.
Richards has also participated in 2010 World Cup qualifying matches and was selected for the 2008 Caribbean Championships. He appeared in all five matches for Jamaica, in helping the nation to capture the 2008 Caribbean Cup. Richards also featured in the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He scored his first goal for Jamaica on August 11, 2010 vs Trinidad in a 3-1 win. He is becoming a fan favourite for his club after a spectacular performance vs Manchester City, by scoring a goal from 40 yards and tearing the Man City defence apart with the likes of Wayne Bridge, Kolo Toure and Micah Richards.
I have been watching Francis and I can honestly say he is better than most of our current left side defenders. We have given up so many goals from balls generated from the left in recent times.
Should be interested to see how long it will take for him to get the call to the team.
I have been watching Francis and I can honestly say he is better than most of our current left side defenders. We have given up so many goals from balls generated from the left in recent times.
Should be interested to see how long it will take for him to get the call to the team.
Coincidentally, we will be attacking from the left side all night.
They better not start Miller. Pele send them a msg i watch all Redbull games and Miller is as slow as a walking duck lol. He wont be able to pull the stay back trick as they did with Dane early in the season Richie Williams and co helped work around thatm, Dane's football intelligence just went up 200 percent over the past two months, his crosses have improved too.
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Pele- You should be more concern about CR left side. It will be one way trafic all game. I hope you do not dissappear from the forum after CR get licks. Well at least other family members will be happy.
Pele- You should be more concern about CR left side. It will be one way trafic all game. I hope you do not dissappear from the forum after CR get licks. Well at least other family members will be happy.
I would be happy if JA do expose whatever weakness CRica does have so we can correct it before qualifiers. I don't why you think I would be upset if a weakness gets expose during a friendly.
At least the JA administration seems to be making the distinction between a friendly and the real thing this cycle. Hope the fans allow them to do their job.
They better not start Miller. Pele send them a msg i watch all Redbull games and Miller is as slow as a walking duck lol. He wont be able to pull the stay back trick as they did with Dane early in the season Richie Williams and co helped work around thatm, Dane's football intelligence just went up 200 percent over the past two months, his crosses have improved too.
The best message I can send them, if there is one to be sent, is for them to witness it with their own eye during friendlies.
Got an assist on the Henry Goal. Richards Man of the match . Unu See that youth San Jose put in the game Second half, burning up Miller Down the right. I Hope Costa Rica Start Him Tappa Send the dane at right midfield Mek him terrorize Miller all night .
Edited by youngballa (08/28/1007:15 PM)
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Henry also had praise for Richards. The speedy Jamaican international was a handful on the flanks for San Jose and scored the game’s first goal on the stroke of halftime.
“He’s been playing like that for awhile now,” Henry said of Richards. “Since I’ve been here, I’ve been impressed with him.”
Got an assist on the Henry Goal. Richards Man of the match . Unu See that youth San Jose put in the game Second half, burning up Miller Down the right. I Hope Costa Rica Start Him Tappa Send the dane at right midfield Mek him terrorize Miller all night .
Youngballa,
that would benefit us much more than unnu. I rather discover our weaknesses and remedy them after the first game in our preparation for the WC 2014 than be scrambling in the middle of qualifiers. Miller's supposed lost is CRica's gain.
I hope we have some more friendlies against JA. We have a few more slowpokes on the squad who run as if they are running uphill wearing lead boots, I would be happy if a speedy team like JA can expose them during this preparatory stage so we can get rid of them sooner rather than later.
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August 28, 2010 HE'S DANE-GEROUS Richards continues his stellar play, finally scores his first MLS goal of season
Dane Richards on his first MLS goal this season: "I can’t believe it came." Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images By Michael Lewis BigAppleSoccer.com Editor
HARRISON, N.J. -- Like it or not, but Dane Richards had forged a reputation this season as a player who scored goals in what were essentially meaningless matches.
He found the back of the net in the Red Bulls' pre-season win over Santos and in the Barclays New York Challenge against Manchester City.
Meaningless -- until Saturday night.
Some 19 games into the season, Richards finally scored in league play -- the first goal of the Red Bulls' 2-0 triumph over the San Jose Earthquakes. He also set up Thierry Henry's first MLS goal as well and was selected as player of the game.
"I can’t believe it came," Richards said. "I scored against Santos, Manchester City, but I couldn’t score in MLS. So it was good to get it started tonight. Hopefully more come. And as long as we win, I’m happy. The goal is a bonus."
Richards' performance and production certainly was not lost on his teammates.
"Dane was outstanding today and he made our lives very easy," captain Juan Pablo Angel said. "You know that he is always a threat. When he gets on the run, and if you play a good ball in the channel, he’s always going to get it. There are very few defenders here that can catch him or sustain the pace with him. His goal was a very well taken goal. During the 90 minutes, he was arguably one of our best players."
Henry, the recipient of Richards' cross that led to his goal, agreed.
"I think he’s been playing like that for a little while," he said. "The only thing he wasn’t doing maybe was putting the ball in the back of the net and assisting, but he did that tonight. Since I’ve been here I’ve been very impressed by him. I was talking to some of the [writers] at training the other day, he’s very difficult to defend against him. If you give him a good pass then he’s going to go and beat you in the space. It’s amazing the way he’s been playing."
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I am going to start the hype right now....Dane Richards should qualify for a UK work permit by December 2010. I think his agent and Red Bull New York should strongly consider a three-month loan deal to a UK or European club before the 2011 MLS season to see how he adapts to football on the other side of the Atlantic.
The secret to a successful Dane is a good central Midfield, Rafa Marquez is sending him balls down those wings and none can keep up with him . Dane Can be a very good player if he stays consistent with his decision making. once those balls are threaded through or over the top he's got it . Right now he's playing almost like a wing forward.
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