In addition to showing great character in Sunday’s 3-0 win, the Red Bulls performance against FC Dallas also served as a benchmark for Young Designated Player Kaku’s development and acclimation to Major League Soccer.
“Yes, the truth is that studying was very important when I got here,” Kaku said postgame. "I spoke to Denis, I spoke to Jesse about what I needed in order to better communicate and then transfer that onto the field. And that is what is happening now. I feel great with my teammates, I understand many things with my teammates, I feel very happy.”
The Argentinian proved crucial in the Red Bulls high press, and played a part in the turnover that set up Bradley Wright-Philips’ 97th MLS career goal, in the 23rd minute. However, Kaku also provided the assist in Kemar Lawrence’s first goal of the season, one that the Jamaican said has been a long time coming.
“It’s been a couple of days," Lawrence said. "Me and him have been at it for a couple of days in a more friendlier way because he sees so much things sometimes. He’s so good at seeing Brad, he’s so good at seeing the midfielder peeling off a defender’s shoulder. Sometimes I’m running from so far that he sees me, but he’s like Kemar is running from so far, I don’t want to play him. But sometimes, lately I’ve been telling him like put it in the space, you know I’m going to get there. I got the speed to get there, so just put it in the space and let me get there. But he’s so good at making hard plays look so easy that sometimes when he passes to somebody else I’m like, ‘Yo Kaku, the things you do I can’t do,’ better than commend him on that, but on this play definitely I was just yelling his name.”
After describing his happiness in gaining an assist on the night, Kaku recognized Lawrence’s run and role in the second goal.
“He was screaming at me from midfield, and to be honest I saw him, gave it to him, he’s very fast, and luckily the ball went in," Kaku said.
The assist was Kaku’s 10th of the season, which leads Major League Soccer.
