Valot and Kaku: "You Play with Two 10's"

New York Red Bulls entered the MLS is Back tournament with a successful 1-0 win over a depleted Atlanta United on Saturday, proving how dynamic the duo of Kaku and Florian Valot can be on the field. The French winger has missed a significant period over the last two years with knee injuries but appears poised to show what the team has been missing in his absence.

"When you have another playmaker you play with two 10's," said head coach Chris Armas about the link up between Kaku and Valot. "It takes the pressure off Kaku and we see how long it takes a couple of players to get on the same page. These guys can get on the same page pretty quickly."

It took only four minutes to produced the games only goal. A passing sequence from the back found the foot of Kaku who instantly sent an effort across the field towards Valot. The Frenchman was already streaking past the defense as the ball reached his feet and the winger finished the chance for the game-winner. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan had no chance.

That link-up was essential as Kaku will be relied upon to be the most important player on the team. Valot could be the second if their chemistry continues to grow. Much of the offense will flow through the dynamic Paraguayan midfielder but having players like Valot who can be relied upon to convert that creativity has been something the Red Bulls have missed over the past year.

"I think it was important to score early and reward the team for the first 5-10 minutes," said Valot about his goal. "Obviously it's really rewarding for myself after what I've been through for the last two years but its' full credit for the team and I'm really happy we got the win today."

New York will take this momentum into their next game against the Columbus Crew on Thursday evening. It is a late kickoff of 10:30pm on FS1.

Comments

Red Bulls Acquire Midfielder Frankie Amaya from FC Cincinnati

photo by Matt Kremkau The rumors have become reality as Frankie Amaya has become a New York Red Bulls player. The news comes after Amaya signs a new deal with New York following a trade from FC Cincinnati for $500 thousand in allocation money this season and $450 thousand in 2022. "We are very pleased to complete this deal," said Director of Sport Kevin Thelwell. "Frankie is a player we've watched closely, and we are confident that his skills and attributes are a good fit for our philosophy and style of play. We look forward to getting him into our environment and achieving success together in the years ahead." The 20 year-old midfielder was the first overall pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft and played in 40 total games for FC Cincinnati, scoring one goal over that time. Amaya was also a major part of the US Men's National Team U20's Concacaf Championship win in 2018. The potential is there and his age and ability match the direction New York has taken o...

Tolkin and Edelman Called into Olympic Camp

photo by Matt Kremkau by Anthony J. Merced New York Red Bulls homegrown players John Tolkin and Daniel Edelman have been called into the US Olympic training camp ahead of friendlies later in the month. Tolkin, 21 years-old, has been called into Gregg Berhalter's camps in the past while Edelman will be making his first trip to the national level. Tolkin, now entering his fifth year as a New York Red Bulls player, has experience with the national team going all the way back to 2018 with the US Under 17 team. In 2023, he played four games for the Under 23 team and four games for the main national team as well. While he isn't a first choice pick yet, Tolkin's consistency hasn't gone unnoticed by US Soccer scouts and another solid showing could see him inch closer to a starting position. For Edelman it will be is first selection to such a camp. His experience with the Under 20's was extensive as he helped the team win the U20 Concacaf Championship in 2022. That tournamen...

Editorial: New York Red Bulls are Fun to Watch

photo by Matt Kremkau by Daniel Feuerstein The New York Red Bulls 2024 season starts off and running. In their first three matches, they have looked different from their last five to six seasons of doom and despair when trying to attack or have a lapse in judgment on the defensive end. The two big editions for the club are undoubtedly the imports from Sweden in Centerback Noah Elle & attacking midfielder Emil Forsberg. Two players who are a part of the Swedish National Team have started off well in Major League Soccer. We all knew what we were getting right away from Forsberg. A high-energy creative and attacking midfielder who was already bought in from day one, when Director of Sport Jochen Schneider went to Leipzig and brought him over. He was already committed to making the trip to the United States to play his brand of soccer, and so far he hasn't disappointed. Even though he has come close three times off of free kicks, hitting the crossbar twice and being saved by the ke...

Red Bull News Network

Search This Blog