“It’s been more than a week now ... You’ve had the international break to shake it off ... No feeling sorry for ourselves coming off two tough results at Red Bull Arena.”
I’m assuming the players heard some semblance of that from Gerhard Struber after the 1-1 draw against Columbus. I’m stealing it, only to get you fired up about the positives to take from the first four games of the season, and what’s to come for your New York Red Bulls.
Here are a few observations of the team from my perspective in the broadcast booth, and after a re-watch of all the matches:
The attacking onslaught is there
This isn’t really a surprise if you gift wrap our first two matches of the season and hand them to us, alone with no extra accompanying gifts. Seven goals through two games in San Jose and Toronto is nothing to shy away from when analyzing the start of this season.
Lewis Morgan is a handful to deal with when unleashed on that right side. His hat trick north of the border, two assists and eight key passes through four games show that his value not only a scorer, but as a creator, is going to be absolutely massive for this team.
Omir Fernandez has looked dangerous in attack, as he’s already on the scoresheet this season. Patryk Klimala is also off to a solid start. Cristian Cásseres Jr. has been hampered by an injury, but he’s back and ready to get back into the team. Luquinhas has arrived and the DP’s impact will be truly be felt coming out of the international break. Ashley Fletcher will now be ready to fully take part after making his debut as a late sub against Columbus. Gerhard has a plethora of options in midfield and that can only bring us depth and hopefully late goals with fresh and talented legs.
The slowing down of the goal scoring in our home games was not so much a product of not being able to create opportunities, more about a lack of finishing combined with stellar defensive and goalkeeper play by the opponent. I mean, Minnesota United goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair was far and away the man of the match when they came to Harrison. If the team can keep creating the way they have been in attack, particularly on the counter, the goals will be there.
Frankie Amaya and Dru Yearwood are bossing the center of the field
One of the more unsung bright spots this season is the engine room pairing of Frankie and Dru. Whenever you look up, it seems as though these two guys are involved in something. Whether it’s pressuring the hell out of an opposing player and pick-pocketing the ball off their feet or threading the needle on a pass forward into the box, they’re literally everywhere.
While Dru is a player with the ability to push forward to pressure defenders, Frankie has shown to be a calming presence in behind, a deadly accurate passer, as well as a hound chasing after opposing players in possession. The-21 year-old leads the league in successful tackles with 14, and is tied for the lead in assists with three.
“Frankie made the necessary step in the preseason… his mindset is different,” Struber said earlier this month after the win over San Jose. “He understands more and more about what’s going on in the Red Bull world. He’s a high-value player on this team.”
The two-way mobility was absent in the Red Bulls deep midfield last season, and it’ll be a huge part of controlling games, and creating quick counter-attacks for our boys.
Defenders have to avoid getting caught on the counter
Nothing has been better so far this season than to see Aaron Long, with the captain’s armband no less, back doing what he loves. Scoring a goal in the match against Toronto was the cherry on top. He’s been solid on the back line, and on obvious vocal leader in the team.
As a whole, defenders have done a solid job on the year. But late in the games against Minnesota and Columbus, our desperate nature to attack and win the game (something any fan has to appreciate), has found the team in trouble. Columbus, specifically, had a few opportunities to score put off by the heroics of Carlos Coronel in net (more on him in a minute). They ultimately got the late equalizer by Darlington Nagbe, in which the defense was set, but only just. We can safely say it was a lucky goal, ping-ponging through our defense, but the counter-attack set up the opportunity. Whether RBNY start the games with three centerbacks – or a back line of 4 – I’m sure Struber will be warning the defenders about getting caught out, especially late in games.
Despite the lack of clean sheets, Coronel is still playing like a star. Time and again he has come up with massive saves to keep the team in games, showing his quality. Tied for most clean sheets in MLS last season with 13, his form is still on that level. He will play a large part in success this season, as he and the back line continue to develop.
Up next this Saturday, a trip to reigning Supporter’s Shield holders New England Revolution. The Revs have started the season with a record of 1-2-1, and a brutal elimination against PUMAS UNAM in Mexico in Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League. This is a perfect opportunity to get back on track on the road, before returning to Red Bull Arena – which we hope to make a fortress together, next time out.
