Red Bulls look to rebound

The Red Bulls were an expensive underachiever last year, undone by a dysfunctional defense, damning lack of depth and destructive team chemistry. They open the 2012 season today at FC Dallas (3 p.m., NBCSN) out to prove those flaws have been fixed.

With coach Hans Backe calling Thierry Henry’s preseason outing vs. Los Angeles the best form he has shown since coming to Newyork, and a $13 million payroll surpassed only by the defending champion Galaxy, there are few excuses or alibis left. This team may have to win something for Backe and general manager Erik Soler to save their jobs.

“We will have much better depth, there’s no question about it,’’ said Backe. “I say we should try to go for it all; the Opencup, the Shield, the MLS Cup.’’

Last season’s 4-1-2 start gave way to a 2-5-13 four-month skid, their thin roster gutted by the Gold Cup and their locker room unsettled by infighting. They spent the offseason building depth, and it will be tested today without forward Luke Rodgers (visa), midfielder Rafa Marquez (suspension) and defender Wilman Conde (thigh), all starters.

Perhaps their single biggest question is in goal, where the Red Bulls replace Bundesliga vet Frank Rost with rookie Ryan Meara. He will be entrusted to face a Dallas team missing former league MVP David Ferreira (ankle) but featuring star Brek Shea, whosaid these teams have developed a rivalry after the Red Bulls ran their undefeated streak against FC Dallas to six games since 2009.