DAVENPORT, Fla. – It’s been a while since Bradley Wright-Phillips has had some company.
In fact, not since the days of Thierry Henry has the Englishman been paired with another forward on the pitch. Back in 2014, much was made of this prolific tandem, as Henry and Wright-Phillips consistently linked up to terrorize defenses throughout Major League Soccer. Just a year later, however, Wright-Phillips could usually be spotted as the lone forward in head coach Jesse Marsch’s setup.
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But as the 2016 season draws ever closer, the Red Bulls may once again be returning to the days of a terrifying twosome up top.
“They're both just so dangerous and they're different," Marsch said after the team’s 5-2 win on Saturday. "It's hard to deal with both of them.”
After signing with the club last summer, Gonzalo Veron started only twice for the Red Bulls in 2015. More often than not, the Argentine was used off the bench in an attempt to create a late-game spark, and was deployed on the wings. But the upcoming season may well spell a bigger role for Veron, as his impressive preseason camp continues.
Veron had a relatively quite first season in New York; it tends to be the case when Designated Players join the league midseason. But with the opportunity to enjoy a full preseason with his teammates, Veron is beginning to showcase just what an impact he can have on the pitch, especially when placed alongside a proven goal-scorer.
"Gonzalo hits you with real good movement and speed, and Bradley is just so sharp right now that everything he does leads to something,” Marsch added. “He’s good at coming underneath, he's good in the box, and he’s been creating chances.
The combination play between the two has been impressive, to say the least. Linking up several times over various friendlies this preseason, the two forwards are building a rapport that Red Bull fans could get used to seeing over the course of the 2016 campaign.
"Overall, I think they have grown to have a good relationship on the field and they compliment each other in a really good way."
