Skip to main content

Struber Looks for a "Good Mix" of Youth and Experience to Lead RBNY


New York Red Bulls' new head coach Gerhard Struber spoke with the team's official podcast and shared some of his thoughts on tactics as well as what he's looking for in players. One moment that stood out in particular was the need for a mix of youth and experience. This season the team has leaned younger and will need to look for that experience whether its on the team now or outside.

"Young players, they learn very quick," said Struber. "They learn very quick. They are ready to learn things that are necessary in this philosophy, this style of play. We need, from the one side, the young players with the big heart to learn and also with smart decisions. But I need also experience in the team. I think when we have a good mix of that we are ready for good results."

While New York is one of the youngest teams in the league, there is experience on the squad as well. Players like Sean Davis, Aaron Long and Daniel Royer have years of MLS experience but the same cannot be said for other areas of the field or even the bench. The balance is off for New York and it has led to inconsistent moments and results throughout the 2020-21 season.

Struber isn't holding back his love for the high-pressure offense that New York has trademarked in the league. While it needs adjustments, the Austrian manager has expressed just how much he hopes to implement those tactics that have become known in all of the major Red Bull teams around the world.

"I had a big education in the last few years," said Struber. "Especially in the Red Bull style of play. I think the proactive playing style, everyone knows, especially pressing is a big part of this game. In the end, to have success, it's a big key to winning games. Also, in all four phases of the game, we have good answers. I think on the ball we have a good plan and we need a good positioning and, in the end, players that understand football in all four phases."

The new coach's excitement couldn't come at a better time as the team heads into their last game of the MLS season having already clinched a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs. All that remains is a push to accomplished what has eluded the club all these years, winning MLS Cup. To do so will require the right kind of tactical adjustments which the team has not shown in the past.

It is still unknown is Struber will be able to take over the team this season. While New York appears to have intentions of having that happen in 2020, there are still lingering visa issues that keep the new coach on the sidelines. In the meantime, head coach Bradley Carnell will continue leading the club that seemed destined for regular season failure just months ago.

"I saw a team with big motivations," said Struber when asked about what he saw in the team before joining. "I can see many players in a very good direction. We have to work when I come to New York. Especially on structure. More in details and I feel I can see a team has a very good shape, with a very good motivation on the field."
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Red Bulls Announce Fan Experience Improvements

by Garry Redman On top of the theme nights announced this season, something new has been added the next time the season ticket holders and supporters step inside The Cathedral... The state-of-the-art LED lighting system at Red Bull Arena will provide higher on-field light levels for enhanced visibility and safety and introduce new entertainment features that heighten the overall experience for spectators.   Built around Musco's Total Light Control—TLC for LED™ technology, the new system is designed to provide exceptional playability and uniformity while minimizing glare. Cleaner, whiter light will elevate the broadcast quality for fans watching around the world.  Color-changing fixtures and Show-Light® Pro entertainment technology will allow the Red Bulls to wash the stadium in different colors and synchronize light shows to music, heightening the fan experience during goal celebrations, player introductions, and other big moments. If you have no idea what this means, cl...
Post a Comment
Read more

Injury Update: Marcucci and Vanzeir Shine; Morgan Still Recovering

photo by Matt Kremkau by Anthony J. Merced As preseason winds down with one game left to play, the players ready and available for Sandro Schwarz become more clear. Dante Vanzeir, who ended his 2023 with a back injury, has seemingly found the form the team hoped to get last year and goalkeeper AJ Marcucci looks ready to prove himself as an MLS goalkeeper with a solid performance on Wednesday. While there are positives from players coming back from injury, one player who still appears to be looking for fitness is Lewis Morgan. The 2022 top scorer for the Red Bulls, saw himself on the sidelines for most of 2023. Now, in preseason, he finds himself still working towards fitness according to head coach Sandro Schwarz. "We don't make risks for him," said Schwarz when asked if Lewis would feature in the team's last preseason game. "He's only in team training since two days. Tomorrow we have recovery training and on Friday one team session on the field. He will be t...
Post a Comment
Read more

EDITORIAL - As the Curtain Rises, Will Promises made finally be Kept?

photo by Matt Kremkau by Garry Redman As I began my eighth season as a soccer correspondent with the Red Bull News Network, I promised my editor and readers that I would be more of a hawk and less of a dove. I'm giving the team more of a critical eye this season and the seasons to come. I made that promise for many reasons, but chief among them were the promises made by this franchise, which were kept from its fanbase. 28 seasons of promises. 28 seasons of them left unfulfilled.  At first glance, it looked like the New York Red Bulls were finally making the moves that would put them firmly in the category of an elite side worthy of being called a "contender." But before you go out and celebrate, please be aware that the supporters have heard this before: In 2019... In 2020... And in 2023... So you can see why the fans responded to those announcements with a collected and dismissive shrug. The response from the fanbase was more of a "Yeah? Really? Show us.". If y...
Post a Comment
Read more