Is It Time To Panic For RBNY?
Over the last month, Red Bull New York have become a hollow shell of the squad fans were just beginning to love early in the season. This was a team that you could bet your paycheck on when it came to outhustling and outperforming their opponents, no matter their ranking. Though many fans will point to the injury list when referencing their recent woes, RBNY just haven't been the same at any level. Having gone four games without a win, including draws against the Philadelphia Union and Toronto FC as well as losses to the New England Revolution and D.C. United, Red Bull fans have a lot to worry about. As a fan, what annoys me is the fact that, in three of those four winless games, RBNY held a lead and looked the better side for most of the match. These dropped points might kill New York and keep them under the playoff line at the end of the regular season. Overall, I am not happy with the Red Bulls’ play late-game: this team often play too relaxed and fail to finish the job as the minutes wear on. What’s surprising about this development is that this was one of their strengths at the start of the season, especially when battling back from early deficits and nearly staging comebacks. Allowing their opponent to get back into these games has been killing RBNY and I am extremely worried that this trend may continue in the weeks to come.
New York’s run of form has split opinions among the fan base, especially when it comes to the players. To this day, there are still a decent number of fans who believe that backup goalkeeper Ryan Meara should be the starter, as some have not yet fully embraced Carlos Coronel as the number one. I am not here to tell fans that they’re wrong, but I don't understand how people are unhappy with his play so far, especially since he has hindered by the fact that RBNY are paper thin in defense. Our lack of defensive depth, especially at the CB position, has put the defense in horrible situations that Coronel can’t do always control. The only thing I could say to those who have not embraced Coronel yet is this: just wait until Sean Nealis and Andres Reyes are back. Also, Ryan Meara has now been a backup to three different Red Bull keepers: if he was to become the starter, it would already have happened. I really like Meara, though - if he was ever given the opportunity, I would support him. However, for now, let’s be happy Coronel has been playing phenomenally.
“However, Yearwood is also a very physical player… a player who can be that force in the midfield, someone that other teams need to worry about when they are pushing upfield.”
To bounce it to the middle of the park, another player that splits the fan vote is central midfielder Dru Yearwood. A good host of fans have not been happy with Yearwood’s contribution to the team and his overall performance, and I can see where they are coming from. However, Yearwood is also a very physical player, similar to former Red Bull midfielder Felipe. This is something this team needs sometimes – a player who can be that force in the midfield, someone that other teams need to worry about when they are pushing upfield. I see that Head Coach Gerhard Struber clearly likes his style of play and I hope that those around him can help him reach his full potential.
Finally, there’s Patryk Klimala. Coming to the club on a five-million-dollar price tag has already put a ton of pressure on his shoulders, which is only doubled by the fact that he is a forward that is supposed to be scoring goals. I see a lot of fans already wanting new options instead of the young Polish international, but I cannot figure out why. I understand he is a bit wild and defiantly, often playing with raw emotion. Honestly, though, these are excellent features to have. Klimala just needs a little more time: the best strikers around the world always need time to adjust and get comfortable in a new setting, and Klimala is not different. If we give him time to grow, I truly believe Klimala could be in the Golden boot race over the next few years. As a long-time RBNY fan, I also think that Red Bull fans need to take a breath. These players are all very young and most are in a new system, both for themselves and for the club. Demanding perfection or change this early in a rebuild year will only set the club back another season - allow these players to grow and I am sure that it will all pay off.
“I am not blaming Struber or the Red Bull pressing system, but I feel that, given the circumstances, RBNY may need to lighten things up to allow players to recover.”
With that in mind, let’s talk about Head Coach Gerhard Struber. Struber started the season with the adoration of Red Bull fans, who enjoyed everything he had brought to the club. With a high press, high speed game plan, followed by a ton of new signings, what’s not to love? At the beginning of the season, Struber’s system looked great – RBNY were getting big results against tough Eastern Conference teams. Even I began to believe that maybe the “rebuild year” was progressing faster than the pundits expected and maybe RBNY would be a contender this year after all. Unfortunately, over the last few games, the same old Red Bull concerns have risen again. I worry that this young side might be getting burnt out by the effort and work rate that Struber demands from this team, and it appears to be the case right now. With a squad that has been weakened by injuries, high tempo play and a congested schedule, it seems like some players have nothing left in the tank. I am not blaming Struber or the Red Bull pressing system, but I feel that, given the circumstances, RBNY may need to lighten things up to allow players to recover. RBNY are losing games late and I believe it is solely based on the fact that this young team is spent. I know for a fact that once we get a few guys back from injury, which will allow for better squad rotation, the Red Bulls will be back to pester the Eastern Conference again.
To return to my original question: Is it time to panic? My answer is a resounding no. We all knew going into this year that, with a young new squad, a new coach and a new system, it would take some time to build. This isn't a video game, and Rome wasn’t built in a day - these things take time. Of course, the dropped points and blown leads have gotten under my skin, but we must be patient. I believe in this team and. for the sake of its future, you can’t rush a rebuild.
As always I am here for it all.
