August 3, 2012
THE FULL 90
Expecting to play 60 minutes, Cahill goes entire match

Tim Cahill: "It just wasn’t our night tonight."

HOUSTON -- The game plan was for Tim Cahill to play perhaps an hour in his Major League Soccer debut for the Red Bulls on Friday.

Instead, the Australian international went the full 90 minutes in the 2-0 loss to the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium.

“That wasn’t the plan," Red Bulls coach Hans Backe said. "When we were doing these subs, we were thinking of doing 60 minutes and then taking him out. He is a hard worker with a phenomenal attitude and spirit. It was the only choice but he didn’t pick up any injuries, so that’s good.”

Cahill just plugged away.

"I think a few boys come off injured, the team changed a few times," he said. "I’ve got to get as much fitness out of them. I definitely felt it; it was tough. It was a different sort of heat and everything. I don’t like to make excuses. I just play football and they are good team. They had some nice stuff. They disoriented the team a little bit and we struggled and conceded two goals.”

Cahill had his best chance to score in the 64th minute when he headed a Thierry Henry corner kick just past the right post, but the Red Bulls struggled to get good scoring opportunities.

“That was tough," he said. "They were putting a lot of balls into the box, set plays, and even open play; it just wasn’t our night tonight.

"I think a few boys come off injured, the team changed a few times.

The heat and humidity did not effect Cahill.

“I’ve played throughout the season in Qatar and places like Australia," he said. "I think that this was still quite a good tempo, especially in this heat. It’s different.

"I trained once with this team and then play the whole 90 minutes; it’s pretty full on. I think that this is what is going to be expected with MLS. I keep trying to prepare myself to go again because there are a few injuries and as you’ve seen tonight, I think lads went off and there were already three subs made.”