Armas on Forward Goal Drought: "Even Barcelona Has Difficulties"

(photo by Matt Kremkau)

New York Red Bulls returned to MLS play on Thursday evening, picking up a big win against NYCFC but still have yet to have a goal come from the forward position. A new formation saw Daniel Royer sitting at the top of the attack but the former winger wasn't able to effect the game on the score sheet. Despite this, head coach Chris Armas is positive on what he's seeing from his options

"Even Barcelona has difficulties at times breaking down a low block," said Armas about City's efforts to stifle the Red Bulls offense. "We're a team that's built for transition. We're going to keep getting better at how to break down shapes like that."

The game's only goal came from defender Kyle Duncan. A second half effort fell to the young wing-back who rocketed a shot to City keeper Sean Johnson. The ball cross the line after the ball was mishandled, handing New York a bit of luck that was well deserved considering the possession and chances created in the game. The Red Bulls have created chaos so far in 2020 and taken advantage with what can be considered scrappy goals. However, there is a lack of output and a lack of options at forward that is still concerning.

New York has Royer, Brian White, Tom Barlow and Mathias Jorgensen as options. All but Jorgensen have seen significant minutes either before the pandemic stoppage or during the MLS is Back tournament. Only Royer has scored and that goal came back during Opening Week in February. The team has managed to keep their heads above water over that time but with each passing game the loss of Bradley Wright-Phillips grows more and more apparent.

"Scoring goals is never an easy thing but we got some good cracks at it tonight. I'm really proud of the effort tonight. There are not many negatives that I can find right now."

Armas can certainly praise his team for their effort. The win moves New York into third place in the Eastern Conference and has sent NYCFC into a tailspin. Recent signings Dru Yearwood and Samuel Tetteh have yet to arrive and could be the solution to getting more goals from strikers. While the results aren't coming from common places, the 2020 MLS season will be defined by results and Armas has shown an ability to make that happen thus far.

Next will be another rivalry game for the Red Bulls as they travel to Subaru Park to play the Philadelphia Union. The improved Philly team will put the forward drought to the test with a potent offense. However, New York's defense has proven to be formidable and expectations should be high for a positive result.

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