October 23, 2012
FROM IRONMAN TO SUPER-SUB
Lindpere understands, doesn't mind his new role with the Red Bulls

Joe Lindpere: "With this national team game, sometimes I need [a] rest, too. When they see that in practice that I’m a little bit heavy or need some treatment, I’d like to take [advantage of] it." Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images

By Kristian R. Dyer
BigAppleSoccer.com Contributing Editor

UPPER MONTCLAIR, N.J. – That super-sub coming off the bench on Saturday night for the game’s final 13 minutes? None other than Joel Lindpere, last year’s ironman of the club.

It has been a season of adjustments for Lindpere in what is his third year with the Red Bulls. He has played in all 33 matches this Major League Soccer season but has only 25 starts, his lowest tally since joining the league in 2010. Saturday’s appearance off the bench is due to his midweek representation with the Estonian national team as the club’s recent depth allowing coach Hans Backe the flexibility to put Lindpere on the field deep into the second half.

But is this eighth appearance this season off the bench a new role for Lindpere? Consider that he has come off the bench four times in the past eight games and has gone the full 90 minutes just once in that stretch.

“Definitely not every game,” Lindpere said with a laugh. “But with this national team game, sometimes I need [a] rest, too. When they see that in practice that I’m a little bit heavy or need some treatment, I’d like to take [advantage of] it. Everything depends on the situation and how it goes, if everyone is healthy or not healthy. It is now the end of the season and we want everyone fit, so if you can get the rest, you want to take it.”

Lindpere even said he understands the decision to put him on the bench this past weekend and doesn’t mind it from time to time, a surprising admission for a player who started all 34 league matches last season.

“I’ve been playing most likely all the games so far this year," he said. "I had long travels and the air travel for Estonia isn’t the fanciest of flights – we don’t have so much money but it takes a lot [out of you]. It’s normal, I’m used to it but when I come back and if everyone is fit and healthy, then I understand that others might be, maybe, more fresh. I was ready this Saturday, every game I’m ready. I’m happy I got some minutes to see how it goes. I think I’ve been in every game this year; I’m ready.

“Maybe sometimes when you play tough games with the national team, you get heavy legs and the coach has other options, it is sometimes good and maybe even good for the team to put me in at the end. I think I can help there; that’s all I really want is what’s best for the team.”