The New York Red Bulls defeated Minnesota United FC, 3-0, Saturday night at Red Bull Arena, their fourth clean sheet of the season in all competitions.
With international call-ups and a seventh different Starting XI on the season, the backline on the evening consisted of Kyle Duncan, Tim Parker, Aaron Long and Connor Lade and they did not miss a beat.
From Jesse Marsch to Luis Robles, each spoke highly of the defensive unit and their shape.
“You start to feel like our defensive group is the best we’ve ever had, and if we can get that piece right, then I think this team will always be dangerous,” Marsch said.
Parker, acquired from Vancouver, has made an immediate impact in the middle of the pitch along with Long and that has not gone unnoticed by his coaches or teammates.
“Big credit goes to Tim,” Marsch said. “He’s taken on the challenge of being here in a big way. He’s trying to learn every day what we do and how we do it. The reason why we want him and have been seeking him for so long is because we just feel like he fits us…We still have a long way to go with him and with his adaptation but the early signs have been really good.”
Duncan, the 20-year-old Red Bulls Academy product made his third-straight MLS start continued to step up when called upon.
“[Kyle] has shown his value right off the bat, and we knew that especially dealing with the international absences ... that we are going to have to deal with rotation,” Luis Robles said. “To have a guy like Duncan that came through the academy, has a lot of football in him, to step up the way he has amazing.”
With the return of Kemar Lawrence, Fidel Escobar and Michael Amir Murillo from international duty, New York knows the versatility and strength across the backline that lies within the squad.
