Struber Pushing Red Bulls "Outside of Their Comfort Zone"

(photo by Matt Kremkau)

New York Red Bulls captain Sean Davis spoke about new head coach Gerhard Struber and what life has been like in training leading up to Saturday's home opener against Sporting KC. The MLS veteran has seen the styles of two other head coaches and appears to be most excited about the future under the current steward.

"A lot of players are embracing the demands and challenges that he's putting on us," said Davis during a team press conference. "That's going to make us all better. He's pushing us outside of our comfort zone and that's ultimately what you want, as a player, to grow."

Struber has made no mystery as to the style he is looking to play. Expectations are that the high-pressing style that has defined New York will return but with more nuance that comes from years of experience within the European Red Bull system. This dynamism may take time to implement but, according to Davis, training sessions have been pushing the team in this direction.

Davis, now entering his second season as Red Bulls captain, understands that expectations will be high. The team underwhelmed in 2020, despite the difficulties with the pandemic. The team made an early exit from the MLS is Back tournament and failed to impress in the revamped regular season. They did continue their streak of qualifying for the MLS Cup Playoffs but failed against champions Columbus Crew SC.

"We have a good balance of veteran players but also a lot of fresh, young, talent," said Davis. "There is a lot of high hopes for the young guys and the energy and fearlessness that they bring to this group. The biggest thing for me right now which is trying to make sure that we're all on the same page. I think we're on the right track."

New York opens the season on Saturday at 8PM at a limited capacity Red Bull Arena against a Sporting KC side that is expecting to miss starting goalkeeper Tim Melia and striker Alan Pulido. While there are still questions about how the new players will integrate into the system, New York should be favored in this opening clash.

Comments

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, click here t

Rumor: Dru Yearwood to be Traded to Nashville SC

photo by Matt Kremkau by Anthony J. Merced More trade rumors are circulating as Red Bulls midfielder Dru Yearwood is linked to a move to Nashville SC according to Tom Bogert of the Athletic . What Red Bull will receive for such a trade remains to be seen. However expectations are that the move will be finalized by the end of next week. Yearwood joined New York in 2020 from Brentford in England. Along the way he has made 86 appearances for the club, including 55 starts. In 2021 and 2022 he made 18 starts, scoring three goals and three assists, his total output for the club in Major League Soccer. In 2023 Yearwood found his position in the club to vary greatly. At times he played in a defensive midfield role next to Frankie Amaya and other times higher up the field, almost as a second forward. After the departure of Cristian Casseres Jr. earlier in the year, it appeared as if Yearwood's minutes would increase. However Daniel Edelman stepped into the role, relegating Yearwood to more

Ex-Red Bulls Coach Gerhard Struber Shares Thoughts on MLS and Salzburg

photo by Matt Kremkau by Anthony J. Merced Red Bull News Network had the chance to communicate with former New York Red Bulls head coach Gerhard Struber, now the manager of Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga. Struber was with New York from the end of the 2020 campaign through to the early part of 2023. Along the way he secured two playoff berths, a seventh and fourth place finish in 2021 and 2022 respectively. While his time was ended abruptly in MLS, his memories of the American version of the game have helped him prepare for such a monumental task in Europe. You spent nearly three seasons in Major League Soccer with the New York Red Bulls, what did you learn from that experience that has made you a different coach at Red Bull Salzburg? Struber: In addition to the sporting aspects, there is a lot that I was able to gain from my work at New York Red Bulls. Any work in a foreign country not only brings you closer to the language, but also to the culture and mentality of the pe

Red Bull News Network

Search This Blog