Armas on NYCFC: "No Secret They Have Dangerous Attackers"

(photo by Matt Kremkau)

New York Red Bulls resume the MLS regular season tonight against rivals NYCFC at Red Bull Arena and head coach Chris Armas is well aware of the kind of team he will be facing. Despite a bad start with only one win in five games in 2020, the Red Bulls coach knows the weapons they are up against.

"It's no secret they have dangerous attackers," said Armas. "Whether it's Castellanos, Heber, Medina, McKay-Stevens, Shradi if he's healthy, Mitrita, Moralez... There are DP's and there is quality. This is an interesting trait of their team."

Last season City finished in first place in the Eastern Conference while Red Bulls were forced into a play-in game under the new MLS format. This season, New York has a very different look without players like Bradley Wright-Phillips. However, they have forged ahead and are sitting with a 2-2-1 record after the MLS is Back tournament. Expectations are high for NYCFC to rebound but New York still has a hope that their way is still potent against their rivals.

"It means that they are really dangerous in transition. They have guys that can run and understand these big moments to go. If you're them, you're thinking about creating these, whether it is out of possession or even transition moments, that's what I think the game is they're going to want to play in."

While the Red Bulls did not progress beyond the group stage in the MLS is Back tournament, there were positive takeaways from the experience. The offense did move the ball well despite their lack of finishing. That speed and movement is something that could stifle an NYCFC team that has shown they are susceptible both on the break and on set pieces.

The pressure is currently placed on City who are in desperate need of a win and want to establish Red Bull Arena as their new home. The team will not be playing in Yankee Stadium this season as far as we know. A win over New York would not only boost their confidence but establish a new normal at RBA in 2020.

For Red Bulls it is a dose of reality. The team is only two points from second place and have done well considering the transition that is still occurring on the field and in the front office. Armas and the team are well aware of that and despite their disappointment in how events transpired in Orlando, they are looking to remain focused.

"We know what we're looking at in terms of we're a young team. We have to learn how to manage games. We have to learn to manage frustration levels. What we talk about with the team is that we're 2-2-1. We lose a tough game in game 3. We out-shoot the opposition 20 to 3 you lose 2-0. It's difficult to swallow on the day but what I see is the reality. The guys work their butts off every day. The team sticks together."

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