3 Hopes and One Fear for New York Red Bulls
Year after year, NYRB seems to be victims of bad luck. The club has done nothing but fluctuate in the standings and struggle to land consistent, high-performing players. The team has spent the offseason rebuilding the front office after firing Mike Petke (who helped the team to a Supporter’s Shield in 2013 and a long playoff run in 2014), all while juggling concerns about the departure of star midfielder Thierry Henry. Will they hold up to the omnipotent pressure of the blue and white side that now threaten from the other side of the city?
3 Hopes
1. MLS’s first cross town rivalry will hold up to the hype
Although NYRB’s season opens with a more old school East Coast rivalry (against DC United), the real test will be the matchup between the Red Bulls and NYC FC. With the Expect nothing less but games in a true electrical darby fashion. NYRB has the advantage here in that the first meetup is on their home turf, Red Bull Arena. They also have a fan base with history – supporter groups aren’t new but instead been through all the ups and downs with the club.
2. Thierry Henry’s absence won’t be noticed
As recent media events demonstrate – this is a touchy subject for NYRB players. After Wright-Phillips called the question of Henry’s absence disrespectful, one really gets to thinking. Where are the Red Bulls without the Arsenal legend who has led the club since its MLS inaugural season in 2010? The combined talent of the consistent Dax McCarty and the newly acquired Sacha Kljestan, could help shape a solid and fresh midfield. The performance of Kljestan, a USMNT midfielder, will be key.
3. They can continue their momentum from last year’s postseason
The Red Bulls entered last year’s playoffs as the unbeatable underdogs. Their explosive attacking ambition catapulted into the tournament past Sporting KC, where they later toppled conference leaders DC United to advance to the semifinals. If Wright-Phillips and Lloyd Sam open the season in the same form as they ended 2014, the club will continue to rack up goal advantages.
One Fear: All the personnel changes and hype around NYCFC will overshadow the team
To say NYRB has been through a lot this offseason, is an understatement. They have lost several big name players (Thierry Henry, Jamison Olave and Tim Cahill) and fired their coach, Mike Petke. Worse case scenario, the team simply can’t get its act together. The new head coach, Jesse Marsch is a former Montreal Impact head coach, but will players be affected by all this personnel and club drama? Additionally, the Red Bulls are going to have to perform well to keep inter-city fans from just looking towards the new NYC FC side.
