If Hans Backe wasn’t sure about Teemo Tainio’s role going into the MLS season, the question may just have been answered for him. It’s likely that Tainio will see extended time at right back instead of central midfield, thanks to an injury to regular right back Chris Albright. The former Los Angeles Galaxy and New England Revolution man, who was surprisingly consistent for New York in 2010, will be out for 4-6 weeks due to surgery on his meniscus. Michael Lewis at Big Apple Soccer was the first person to report the story, to our knowledge.

The Red Bulls have a deep roster, but at the moment, Albright and Tainio are the only two men on the roster with serious experience at right back at high professional levels. Tainio has been a central midfielder for most of his career, and has only seen time at right back since he was first played at the position by Juande Ramos in his short spell as Tottenham Hotspur manager. I’m not even entirely sure who the third choice right back is; Rafael Marquez might have to fill in there in a pinch.