ORLANDO, Fla. – Four years after enjoying a career year with club, Kenny Cooper is back in camp with the New York Red Bulls.
The former U.S. National Team striker bagged a career-high 18 goals during the 2012 season, partnering with Thierry Henry to form one of the league’s most prolific strike partnership. And after stops in Dallas, Seattle and Montreal, the Baltimore native is looking for another shot in New York.
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“They had a really impressive season collectively and individually; Luis winning Goalkeeper of the Year, Jesse winning Coach of the Year, lifting the Supporters’ Shield,” Cooper told NewYorkRedBulls.com. “I’m really happy to see that for the club, it was a very successful year.”
As a trialist, an opportunity is exactly what has been afforded to the veteran forward, a chance to earn his spot in the squad. His tenure may not have ended on the most pleasant terms, but Cooper is hoping to get a second chance in a place he once called home. And with several 2012 teammates still in the fold, the acclimation process has been that much easier.
“It’s a huge plus coming here to have that familiarity and comfort with the guys,” Cooper added. “One of the great things about in the league for as long as I have is the relationships you form. Having been here and seeing guys that have had a lot of longevity with the club is comforting to see.”
Even so, Cooper still has some catching up to do. After seeing sparse action throughout the 2015 season, the forward has been working to return to the sort of form that made him one of the most feared attacking talents in MLS. Standing at 6-foot-3, Cooper has the frame of a burly central defender with the soft touch of a central midfielder. But in order to fit in with the current Red Bulls set up, Cooper will have to use his physical talents to adapt to a new system that demands quite a bit from its forwards.
“He’s obviously an attacking player that can score goals,” head coach Jesse Marsch said after training. “He’s dynamic in the final third and has a lot of physical qualities. That fits into how we play, so it’s just a matter of getting him up to speed with how we do things and putting it to the test.”
At 31 years of age, Cooper still feels he has plenty to contribute to the club. And over the course of his few days in camp, the coaching staff has made an effort to reach out and aid Cooper’s efforts in getting up to speed with the rest of the veterans within the squad.
“It’s a very organized team. Jesse’s taken the time to sit down with me. I’m eager to learn and see how they do things and show that I can be a part of that.”
And while Marsch was north of border at the helm of the Montreal Impact when Cooper was last with New York, the Red Bulls head coach is still more than familiar with what the forward can bring to the table.
“It’s good to have him,” Marsch said. “I know him from the past; I had him in January camp with the national team and have watched him from afar.
“He’s a very talented guy and he has a very successful history here at Red Bull, so it was good chance to get him into camp and integrate him into how we do things,” Marsch added. “I know Kenny well enough to know that he’s always a good guy to have around and that he’ll work hard.”
Now, Marsch has brought him in to observe him up close. As a target striker, Cooper could bring something to the club that has been missing from the current roster. And for Cooper, a return could be a chance to rewrite a storybook ending.
“I’m feeling good, I feel healthy,” Cooper said. “I’m looking to put in a good work ethic everyday. I’m just really happy to be here and grateful for the opportunity.”
