Red Bull News Network

photo from RB Leipzig RB Leipzig manager Jesse Marsch continues to suffer in his first season in the Bundesliga, this time losing his second straight in the UEFA Champions League. The opponents were Club Brugge, the side that Leipzig needed to get points from in order to survive a group which also has Manchester City and PSG. Unfortunately that wasn't the case and Marsch laments his team's lack of consistency. "At the moment we're either really good or not good," said Marsch after the midweek fixture. "We need to find more consistency." This run of form comes under the sensational performance of Christopher Nkunku. The French attacker has not only pushed himself to the forefront of the team, but also the the forefront of transfer rumors to bigger clubs. Manchester City, Bayern Munich and others have taken notice. It is not hard to imagine how much worse Leipzig would be if he were not performing at such a high level. "There are enough games left and

photo by Matt Kremkau HARRISON, NJ - Sergio Santos and Omir Fernandez's goals twenty minutes apart were all the scoring that happened for the evening as the Red Bulls dropped two vital points as they settled with a draw against the Philadelphia Union, 1-1. The Union got on the scoreboard in the 18th minute when Jamiro Monteiro played in a corner that deflected off a New York defender. The ball landed at the feet of  Sergio Santos, who easily tapped it in the back of the net from close range to give the visitors the early lead.  Red Bulls responded in the 37th minute as Cristian Casseres took the ball in the heart of the Union defense, passed it to Omir Fernandez in the middle of the box who then pivoted, and blasted his shot in the back of the net. The Bronx, NY native has now scored goals in two straight matches, and three in his last four games. The ongoing theme of the match, if not the season, was how the New York Red Bulls could not find the winning goal they sorely needed to

photo from New York Red Bulls And so, after two matches played - four days apart, New York is Red. In the latest chapter of the Hudson River Derby, Omir Fernandez's goal in the first half proved to be the difference as the New York Red Bulls defeated their bitter local rivals New York City FC, 1-0 at Yankee Stadium Saturday night. Their first victory at that venue was since May 21, 2016, when they defeated NYCFC, 7-0, a match infamously known as the "Red Wedding." Back on Wednesday night, the two teams battled to a 1-1 draw, with the match ending controversially on Patrik Klimala's penalty-kick goal in the 109th minute over in Red Bull Arena. But on this night, New York City FC was looking to put their stamp on the rivalry on their home ground, and in the process, their bitter rivals in the rearview mirror. With the hosts using the small pitch as a de facto 12th man, NYCFC came out on fire, looking to dictate the pace early on. On two dangerous occasions, New York Cit

photo from RB Leipzig RB Leipzig manager Jesse Marsch spoke to the media ahead of Saturday's clash with Hertha Berlin, the beginning of a three game stretch that sees the East German club playing each of those games at Red Bull Arena. The team is in the midst of one of its worst runs since joining the Bundesliga in 2016, having lost three straight games and four in total in league competition. "We need to be creative in attack," said Marsch on his team's tactics. "To do this, we want to be aggressive and active both on and off the ball. We mustn't be too exposed when we lose the ball and deny Berlin space to hit us on the counter-attack." Leipzig have been criticized for their return to a more high pressing style, a change from the adaptive style of play that Julian Nagelsmann brought to the club that incorporated possession play. Rumors from BILD had suggested that several players voiced their displeasure of their current tactics. It was a rumor that wa

photo from Bundesliga RB Leipzig have had their worst start to a Bundesliga campain, losing three of their first five games under new manager Jesse Marsch. Combined with rumors of a locker room revolt over the team's throwback pressure playing style and it appears as if the American coach's time with last year's Bundesliga runners-up is on shaky ground. Much will depend on their result over the weekend in order to regain confidence. "We need to beat Hertha," said team veteran Emil Forsberg. "For our self-confidence if nothing else. The passion, the will, the mentality - it's all there. We just have to show it on the pitch. We want to give our fans a win." Four straight demoralizing results have occurred, starting with the 1-0 loss to Wolfsburg and ending this past weekend with a draw that could have gone either way. Last year it seemed as if the growth of Leipzig was destined to take them to a championship but even the inclusion of striker Andre Silv

photo by Matt Kremkau New York Red Bulls pulled out a late draw against an New York City FC club that played better for large stretches of the game on Wednesday but despite not getting the win, the team feels as if it is a positive step in the right direction. "I think it just shows the character of the guys," said defender John Tolkin. "I think it shows that we still have that goal in our mind, which is the playoffs. We are going to do everything we can to get there." The "goal of the playoffs" is one that is still attainable but not unless they begin to win more games. At this point the team is in 11th place in the Eastern Conference and eight points from Philadelphia in seventh for the final playoff spot. Still, there are 10 games remaining in the season and more than enough time to make up ground in a very inconsistent conference.  The Red Bulls will have to roll it back again but this time in Yankee Stadium as the team plays NYCFC again on Saturday af

photo by Matt Kremkau HARRISON, NJ - Derbies usually produce one of the crazier finishes to a soccer match, and this one didn't disappoint as a controversial handball call deep in stoppage time allowed the New York Red Bulls to salvage a draw against New York City FC, and perhaps their season as well. The Red Bulls managed to get at least one shot on goal in the Wiki Carmona took a pass from Sean Davis and launched a blast from his left foot that was easily saved by New York City Sean Johnson.  The lone goal for the visitors came in the 31st minute as Taty Castellanos continued to torture the Red Bulls once again after taking an angled pass from Maxi Moralez and simply finished the shot just inside the far post for his 13th goal of the season. The Red Bulls could not find an answer despite multiple chances, and the referee's whistle brought the first half to a frustrating close for the hosts and their supporters who hung a "Not Good Enough" banner in South Ward, voici

MONTCLAIR, NJ - Powered by a brace scored by Kyle Murphy, including one resulting from a handball called in the penalty area, Memphis 901 FC pushed aside the New York Red Bulls II, 3-0 at MSU Soccer Park Sunday afternoon. Both teams started off in a frenetic fashion, and Memphis nearly had an early chance with Leston Paul sent a sweeping ball into the space behind a high Red Bulls II back line only for defender Kyle Zajec to shepherd the ball to safety as Murphy went in pursuit. However, New York defender Emir Tombul was whistled for a handball in the penalty area, and Memphis forward Kyle Murphy easily converted the penalty kick to give the visitors the lead in the 21st minute. Memphis 901 FC would double their advantage just a scant five minutes later as defender Skylar Thomas took a header off a corner kick delivered by Andre Fortune, which left the New York Red Bulls II's defenders helpless. to assist their goalkeeper. In the 36th minute, A.J. Marcucci started the p

Photo courtesy of mlssoccer.com The New York Red Bulls finally put together a performance that was worthy of the scoreline as they ended their ten-match winless streak by soundly defeating Inter Miami CF, 4-0 The Red Bulls put those hosts on their heels early and often by pressing anyone wearing a black kit with the ball. Often at times, they would wind up being the beneficiaries as they unleashed 27 shots, with 9 on target at the Inter Miami defense. At one such instance, Patryk Klimala was tripped on the play initially, but immediately got up to continue the attack caught Inter Miami goalkeeper Marsman off his line, and shot the ball to the empty net, but Makoun was able to scramble down the field and extend his left leg as he slid, clearing the ball just before it went over the line.  The Red Bulls would be rewarded for their great start as Patryk Klimala would not be denied in the 18th minute as took a great pass from Wiki Carmona on the break and scored his 6th goal of the season,

RB Leipzig manager Jesse Marsch is under pressure after yet another loss, this time a 6-3 beatdown by Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League. The former New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Salzburg manager has pushed a positive message, deciding to focus on what is going well. However, the players are far more realistic about the performance, especially since it is all about the results in the German first division. "Six goals is definitely painful," said veteran player Emil Forsberg on the result. "It's definitely a disappointing night for us. The pressure increases now but that doesn't change the fact we have a fantastic team. We have to learn from our mistakes." Marsch's reliance on players like Tyler Adams and Dominik Szoboszlai to start the campaign has to be questioned. The American manager is close to both of those players, selecting them based on his own history rather than recent run of form. While Sozoszlai has done his best to live up to exp

New York Red Bulls II lost their second straight game in a week following a 2-1 loss to San Antonio FC at MSU Soccer Park on Wednesday night. A second half comeback was thwarted by the visitors who pounced on the youthful mistakes of John Wolyniec's kids. New York started strong with a chance from Jeremy Rafanello that nearly put the team up early. They pressed well and appeared to have the Texas club on the back-foot. That is until the 33rd minute when a giveaway in the midfield saw Jose Gallegos run at goal. He split the defenders and scored past goalkeeper Samuel Joseph to give San Antonio the lead. Less than 10 minutes later the lead was doubled when a corner kick slipped through Joseph's hands and into the net.  Red Bulls put up a fight in the second half. A red card to Mohammed Abu gave them the one-man advantage. Shortly after the team cut the lead to one on a goal from Kyle Zajec. Despite still having the man advantage, it appeared as if San Antonio would score again as

RB Leipzig's pain continues, this time in the UEFA Champions League as they are crushed by Manchester City 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium in northern England. Manager Jesse Marsch's team was unable to keep Pep Guardiola's side from scoring seemingly at will while also seeing his team unable to capitalize on key opportunities. Aside from Christopher Nkunku, who netted his first hat trick, the team was toothless against the reigning English champions. The goal-scoring started in the 16th minute when a leaping Nathan Ake headed a corner past Peter Gulacsi. The onslaught didn't stop there as the pressure buckled Leipzig's defense. A cross into the box in the 28th minute saw Nordi Mukiele head the ball back towards net where Gulacsi was surprised, letting it into his own net.  Leipzig did response before halftime with a goal from Christopher Nkunku but it was quickly scuffed out in stoppage time by Riyad Mahrez who sent Leipzig into the locker room trailing 3-1.  The second h

photo by Matt Kremkau New York Red Bulls traveled to Columbus to end their ten-match winless streak, but it would be the Crew that rallied past a goal in the first half to win their first in ten tries, 2-1. Patryk Klimala had a chance to get on the scoreboard just ten minutes into the match, as he launched a volley toward the net after taking a pass from Omir Fernandez, but it was smartly denied by Columbus goalkeeper Eloy Room.  Red Bulls had trouble scoring goals as of late frustrating coaches, supporters, and themselves alike, but in the 25th minute, they managed to get on the scoreboard as Partyk Klimala scored his fifth goal of the season from close range after a throw-in from Tom Edwards, and Dru Yearwood keeping the ball in play in the penalty area. The Crew had trouble scoring goals themselves and had multiple chances in the first half to equalize, but Luis Diaz had a wide-open look but his chance sailed high and over the bar in the 8th minute, and Harrison Afful's long-dis

RB Leipzig are preparing for another tough test against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League, this following the devastating loss to Bayern Munich over the weekend. While manager Jesse Marsch is trying to keep the narrative positive, several of his players are being a bit more forthright with just how the team has been performing. "We conceded the goals too easily," said midfielder Konrad Laimer. "We over-complicated things in the final third. This meant we weren't able to create any clear-cut chances. It obviously hurts to lose 4-1 in the end." Leipzig have had a horrendous start to the Bundesliga season, losing three of their first four games and putting manager Marsch under pressure less than two months into the season. Expectations have been high for the club, despite losing key players and last season's manager to champions Bayern Munich. Still, Red Bull invested in the club by adding the likes of Andre Silva, Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Sima

photo by Matt Kremkau HARRISON, NJ - Amid the backdrop of the twentieth anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks that affected both cities, the New York Red Bulls and D.C. United resumed their bitter rivalry at Red Bull Arena on Saturday night. The match got off to a flying start, and the Red Bulls didn't waste time getting on the scoreboard. Just 6 minutes into the match, forward Patryk Klimala won the ball in United's defensive end and slotted it over to Dru Yearwood, who buried the match's first goal of the match, and his first in his MLS career, 1-0. D.C. United tried to respond just two minutes later from a corner kick. Julian Gressel's cross met the foot of Steven Brinibaum, but New York goalkeeper Carlos Coronel was up to the task, making a key save to keep the visitors off the scoresheet. The Red Bulls were nearly home free until defender Seas Nealis was whistled for a handball in the penalty area in the 44th minute which was confirmed by VAR. Sean receive

MONTCLAIR, NJ - The Charleston Battery scored three times in the first half as Geobel Pérez notched a pair of assists and then held on late for a 3-2 victory against the New York Red Bulls II that served as the club’s first victory against New York in more than five years and sent the Battery into fourth place in the Atlantic Division on Friday night at MSU Soccer Park. The match got off to a fast and furious start right from kickoff and Charleston would be the beneficiaries of it in the second minute as midfielder Geobel Perez Perez delivered a great cross of the ball, catching the Red Bulls II defense off guard, where it found forward Dionysius Harmon and he headed it in back of the net for the early lead. But before the home supporters could settle down, the New York Red Bulls II would quickly answer right back as Austin Brummett delivered a through ball that sliced through the Charleston defense, where forward Mathias Jørgensen would score the equalizer just three minutes later. Ho

Bayern Munich handed RB Leipzig a devastating loss that showed the Bavarian might and raises questions about Jesse Marsch's ability to coach a team at the Bundesliga level. They were dominated at home in front of a sold out crowd in East Germany which showcased the not just the class of Munich but also their ability to acquire players, many of whom found Leipzig to be their home just last season.  Munich took the lead in the 12th minute when Robert Lewandowski converted a penalty opportunity. From there the reigning Bundesliga champions continued to threaten the Leipzig backline, creating chances but not being able to convert. That changed in the second half when they notched three more goals over the second 45 minutes. It began with Jamal Musiala cutting through the Leipzig defense and burying a cross from wingback Alphonso Davies. From there Musiala turned into a provider when he assisted on Munich's third goal, scored by Leroy Sane. The leaders capped off their night with a

The New York Red Bulls have signed NYRBII forward and Harrison, New Jersey, native Omar Sowe to an MLS contract, the club announced today. Sowe signed a year-and-a-half contract with two option years. “We are pleased to promote Omar to the first team,” Head of Sport Kevin Thelwell said. “Omar has been a rising talent since he joined the organization. We hope he continues to carry over his positive progression to the first team.” Sowe, 20, has had a strong offensive season for NYRBII in 2021, leading the team in goals (6), shots (41), and chances created (25) in 21 appearances. His six goals and 25 chances created ranks 28th and 43rd, respectively, among USL Championship. Sowe has tallied 15 goals and two assists in 41 appearances since being signed to Red Bulls II on August 16, 2019. “Omar has been playing at a top level with Red Bulls II,” said Head Coach Gerhard Struber. “His ability to score has been impressive and hopefully we can raise his level when he joins us.” Sowe was a membe

RB Leipzig manager Jesse Marsch knows that the Bundesliga season hasn't started well with two losses in their first three games, and now they welcome reigning champions Bayern Munich to Red Bull Arena. Still, Marsch and his team are confident that they will go out and play with the same tempo and belief that they have in years past. "We'll play without fear and full of self-belief," said Marsch in a pre-game interview. "You can't lose to Bayern. Playing them always provides a good opportunity to show yourself. Here at this club we don't talk about pressure. We believe in the process and the team. We work step-by-step." Leipzig have suffered two losses this season, one which was a shock to short-handed Mainz who were ravaged by COVID to in the season opener. Combined with a loss of key players to their rivals in Bayern Munich and you wonder if the team has enough to battle the reigning champions. Dayot Upamecano, Marcel Sabitzer and Julian Nagelsmann

photo by Matt Kremkau To make room on the roster for their newly acquired defender Lucas Monzon, the New York Red Bulls have transferred defender Amro Tarek to El Gouna FC, the club announced today. Tarek heads back to Egypt on a free transfer with a 20-percent future sell-on fee. He will remain with the club through September 15 before returning to Egypt.   “We wish Amro the best moving forward,” Head of Sport Kevin Thelwell said. “He has been a key piece to our backline the last three seasons and hope for nothing but success for him from here on out.”   Tarek, 29, was acquired by New York via a trade with Orlando City SC on December 11, 2018. He made 46 appearances for the club over three seasons, accumulating 3,278 minutes played. During this season, he has appeared in 13 matches amassing 864 minutes, and contributed to four clean sheets. He scored his first goal for the Red Bulls on May 4, 2019, in a 3-2 win against the Los Angeles Galaxy. He received the 2019 Newcomer of the Year

RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Dani Olmo is a target for a winter transfer by restructuring Catalonia club FC Barcelona. The report from Mundo Deportivo states that Leipzig and Barcelona are set to meet soon in order to discuss the possibility of a move.  Olmo joined Leipzig in January of 2020 and has excelled with the first team. He has played a total of 44 Bundesliga games with eight goals scored. Over that time he has alleviated the pressure on other midfielders like Emil Forsberg, providing a good alternative in the attack. Olmo, a Spanish international, wowed at the European Championship, providing three assists as the team went to the semi-final before being eliminated. That performance put him on the radar of FC Barcelona and continues to show how Leipzig is becoming the springboard for bigger and better things around Europe. So far this season Leipzig has moved Dayot Upamecano, Marcel Sabitzer, Ibrahim Konate and Hannes Wolf for significant fees. Whether the team can convert

MONTCLAIR, NJ - The New York Red Bulls II snapped a seven-game losing streak and dealt another blow to Hartford Athletic's postseason hoped with a 2-0 victory at MSU Soccer Park on Saturday night that saw Jake LaCava and Serge Ngoma find the net for their first win since July 7. The match promised to be a high-tempo affair and it did not disappoint, as both teams traded chances inside the first five minutes of the match.   New York’s Omar Sowe cleverly navigated past a defender with a flick over his head in the left side of the penalty area in the third minute before setting up Jake LaCava for a shot that went just over the top-left corner of the net, while three minutes later, Hartford’s Preston Tabort Etaka headed just wide of the left post after Arthur Rogers’ cross from the right found him at the back post.  While the Athletic were lamenting missing their chances, the Red Bulls II took full advantage of theirs on the counterattack. Omar Sowe connected with Jake LaCava with a ni