Coming off of back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals appearances, the New York Red Bulls are eager to take another big step in 2016.
Head coach Jesse Marsch and the Red Bulls have continuous emphasized the importance of keeping its core group of players together, something that they were able to do for the most part over the offseason.
The team’s biggest loss, Homegrown and U.S. Men’s National Team centerback Matt Miazga, certainly hit the club hard in January, but Marsch remains excited about the team that stands in front of him.
“Our goal all along was to keep as many of our core players together as possible,” Marsch told SBI. “I think that we absolutely succeeded in that area, and now that we have done that, we can focus on the next challenge ahead.”
“We know that we’re going to be a target this season. That comes with the territory when you win the Supporters’ Shield. At the same time though, we still have our goals, and while we were able check a bunch of them off of that list last season, we still have more to accomplish this season. Ultimately we wanted to be the team there on that final Sunday playing for MLS Cup and our guys have trained extremely hard so far this offseason to make sure that they can play in that match at the end of the season.”
Marsch, now in his second season with the Red Bulls, proved the doubters wrong after being hired last winter. The former MLS player is confident that he and his team can do that again this season, and win a few trophies in the process.
Here’s a closer look at what to expect from the New York Red Bulls in 2016:
NEW YORK RED BULLS SEASON PREVIEW
2015 FINISH: 18-10-6, 60 points (first in Eastern Conference)
KEY ACQUISITIONS: Tyler Adams, Brandon Allen, Derrick Etienne, Alex Muyl, Scott Thomsen, Gideon Baah
KEY LOSSES: Matt Miazga, Anthony Wallace, Roy Miller, Dane Richards
NEWCOMER TO WATCH: Gideon Baah — The 24-year old was only signed in February by the Red Bulls, however, it’s more than likely that Baah will be an opening day starter at centerback. Jesse Marsch told SBI that he is very confident in the young Ghanaian’s abilities, and that while he will likely be deployed in the center that he also gives the team depth on the left side if necessary. Baah previously spent time with Finnish sides FC Honka and HJK Helsinki, before joining New York.
PRESSURE IS ON: Gonzalo Veron — The Red Bulls aren’t a star-driven organization, at least, not like they used to be. Veron was added by the club in 2015 as a Designated Player, but mostly appeared off of the bench. Despite showing quick bursts of speed and some brilliant passes, Veron struggled to find his feet in his first MLS campaign. This offseason, though, Marsch has experimented heavily with Veron and Bradley Wright-Phillips as a tandem up front, instead of playing the Argentine on the flanks again. Regardless of where he plays, Veron will need to contribute more in 2016 in order to justify his DP status.
OUTLOOK
If you’re looking for significant changes in the Red Bulls starting lineup this season, there won’t be many. That was Jesse Marsch and New York’s intension all along though.
Other than the loss of Matt Miazga, New York’s opening day lineup will largely look familiar to the Red Bulls fan base.
The team did however go out and add seven Homegrown players, making nine in total on the current roster. While it’s highly probable that some of those additions will see more time with New York’s Red Bulls II team than the senior side in 2016, the academy has shown a ton of promise. University of Virginia attacker Derrick Etienne and Georgetown forward Brandon Allen were among the signings, and the team will certainly get contributions at some point from both players.
“It was definitely a transition process getting to know the guys and trying to figure out the tempo of the offense, things like that,” Allen told SBI. “I think once the initial challenges subsided, I have been able to just be myself and do what I know I can do on the field. We have a very good team, so I know that it won’t be the easiest to break into this team, but I’m very confident in my abilities and believe that if I keep pushing myself then I can make contributions for us.”
Marsch is confident that the team’s young players will prove to be key in the team’s success, especially with a congested schedule as the season rolls on.
“I think that it was important to bring in a lot of these young guys to compete with our veteran group,” Marsch told SBI. “Competition is something that we always strive to create within our team, whether its on the training ground or in real matches. It’s obviously a lot to ask of these young players to come in and go up against the Dax McCartys and Sacha Kljestans of the team, but at the end of the day it’s a great learning experience for each of them.”
“Not all of our Homegrown signings will be with the first-team this season, but by adding these players this offseason we’ve not only created competition but added depth as well. We’ll be playing a lot of matches this year, with the regular MLS schedule and Champions League, as well as Open Cup. I think having these guys will only benefit us and give us plenty of options when some of our core guys need a break.”
While changes will be far and few for the Red Bulls in 2016, the back line will be one area to really keep an eye on. Other than Miazga’s move to Chelsea, Damien Perrinelle continues his recovery from a knee injury suffered in the MLS Cup Playoffs, while the battle at right back will be a critical talking point as well.
Gideon Baah was brought in recently to provide depth at the centerback position, joining Ronald Zubar and Karl Ouimette, who both made appearances for the Red Bulls in 2015. Sal Zizzo, Connor Lade and Chris Duvall will all be in the mix for time at right back, although Zizzo appears to be the favorite while Duvall continues to work his way back from a serious leg injury.
The Red Bulls boasted one of the best, if not the best, attacks in MLS last season. A great deal of the team’s success can be attributed to the stability in midfield. Dax McCarty and Felipe will continue to hold down the fort in the center of the park for New York, while Sacha Kljestan, Lloyd Sam, Gonzalo Veron and Mike Grella will be in the mix to create chances above the two holding midfielders. Other than Veron, who arrived with the team in August, all five starting midfielders made over 30 appearances for the club last season.
Up front, Bradley Wright-Phillips enters his third full season for the Red Bulls. Although his goal-scoring total dropped in 2015, Wright-Phillips still posted very productive numbers, scoring 17 goals and adding seven assists. Anatole Abang and some of the team’s younger additions, like Etienne and Allen, will figure into the team’s plans as well when BWP needs to rest. The Red Bulls led MLS last season with 62 goals scored, and they’ll be looking to build on that total in 2016.
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
I think that with the high pressure Red Bull like to apply, it will work well to use homegrown players with fresh legs to sub in or even start from time-to-time in place of some of the guys who we think of as starters. That will allow the veterans to recover so they can pressure when the return in later games. One or two guys who are maybe not at the level of the others soccer-wise, but are fresh, motivated and willing to give it their all for their limited time on the field with the first team. It is a long season and with lots of games, Dax, Sasha, Sam, Felipe, Grella and Veron especially will need some rest if they are to continue to apply the high pressure the Red Bull employ.
People seem to have a lot of doubts about this team and I just don’t get it.
At goalkeeper we all know Luis Robles is outstanding. Enough said there. I’m really glad to have Ryan Meara back in place of Castano, who turned out to be a bit of a disappointment.
For our Centerbacks, I think if Zubar stays healthy, he will be much-improved from last season. If he isn’t healthy, I’m confident that Ouimette can tide us over until Perrinelle is ready. As for Baah, I think there is no question, for those who have watched him, that he is going to be a terrific replacement for Miazga.
As for the fullbacks, we’re in very good shape. Duvall, Zizzo, Lawrence, and Lade are all very capable.
The central midfield core is the same as last year. Kljestan, Felipe, Dax, and Davis. Terrific group.
I am curious about our wingers this year. Can Grella replicate his 2015? Can Lloyd Sam continue to play at a high level even though he’ll be 32 in September. Will SWP be able to find his form despite the age and injury setbacks this preseason? Don’t forget about Etienne either. Still, this is the group with the biggest question marks to me.
Forwards…We all know about BWP. Indications are we’re in for another great year with him. Veron has also had a red hot preseason and I’m excited to see him at his full potential. Also add in the fact that Abang and Allen give us great young depth options.
Homegrowns-I think they will give us the deepest team we Metros have ever seen. Allen, Etienne, and Muyl are legit. The others are a little behind them I think, but will improve by leaps and bounds throughout a full MLS season.
I don’t see any reason this team doesn’t comfortably make the playoffs and challenge for the Shield and Cup again!
I think marsh has a huge problem on his hands. The defense was really anchored by Pernielle. His loss was felt in a playoff loss last year and will continue to loom this season. Then there is the midfield. Veron BWP grella and Sam should all start. The problem is who sits Dax klejstain or Felipe. The three complement each other very well but all three lack the ability to play the defensive mid role by themselves.
I agree with BrianK.’s comment. The author should explain why Lloyd Sam is the odd man out in midfield starters if Veron moves into starter role either up top or out wide. Mike Grella blew me away last year in terms of his expected contributions, but Sam may have been 3rd most positively impactful team players over the course of the season after holding mids and Robles.
I’m worried about the central defense. Zubar was not good enough almost every time he played. Perrinelle coming off an injury. Baah unlikely to be as good as Miazga, even if he turns out to be a good signing. And it doesn’t look like they intend to make any additions there.
Since when does Zizzo play RB?
He played there much of last season (and did a pretty decent job)
Interesting,…would not have thought that Lloyd Sam would have been the odd man out in the midfield.
Hopefully Zubar And Baah gel in the middle.