Red Bull News Network

photo by Matt Kremkau One shot.  One goal.  Once again, the Red Bulls found themselves on the other side of a 1-0 loss. The opening goal came in the 22nd minute when Sounders' right-winger Jordan Morris found the back of the net. Morris and Leon Chu executed a brilliant cross, allowing Morris to tap the ball in from close range. Unfortunately, during the celebration, Morris sustained an injury and was subsequently substituted by Dylan Teves just three minutes later. The Red Bulls had an opportunity to equalize in stoppage time when they earned a set piece following a foul by Sounders midfielder João Paulo. Cristian Cásseres Jr. delivered a great ball to Hassan Ndam, who attempted a header to level the score. However, Ndam's effort was too high and drifted wide of the target, leaving the Red Bulls frustrated. The Sounders came close to doubling their lead early in the second half, specifically in the 46th minute. Alex Roldan provided a precise cross into the box, finding Nicolás

photo by Matt Kremkau by Daniel Feuerstein The New York Red Bulls had a hell of a match against FC Cincinnati in the 5th Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. They showed to be the better side with plenty of attacking chances and showed some strong defensive moments, but this match went the full 120, and sadly, the Red Bulls fell in penalties 5-3 after a one-goal draw thru regulation and Extra Time. Troy Lesense has brought back the confidence and the fighting spirit of this club with his four-match unbeaten streak in all competitions, till it was broken by the Orange & Blue of Ohio. Since the six-match suspension of Dante Vanzeir expired, he played a full match & a half in the league win over Montreal and this past match in the US Open Cup. What he did towards the final moments in second-half stoppage time was truly to begin the healing process that was broken between him and the supporters. Scoring the big equalizer at the death to force the match into extra time. A long loo

photo by Matt Kremkau by Anthony J. Merced New York Red Bulls were unable to avenge a playoff loss to Cincinnati on Wednesday night, losing on penalty kicks and being eliminated from the 2023 US Open Cup. The game was an exciting one as the returning Dante Vanzeir scored a stoppage time equalizer to send the game into extra time. It wasn't enough as Cincinnati converted every penalty opportunity to secure the win and advance. The Ohio-based team once again came into Red Bull Arena and shocked the hosts. This time it was Yuya Kubo who scored in the 42nd minute to give the away team an early lead. New York clawed their way back into to the game in the second half and found the equalizer in the 92nd minute thanks to Vanzeir's effort.  Extra time proceeded with New York dominated possession and looking more likely to score. However, they were unable to convert on several opportunities, forcing the game into penalty kicks. Vanzeir, who scored to extend the game, was the only player

photo by Matt Kremkau by Daniel Feuerstein The six matches have come and gone for Dante Vanzeir as his suspension for the use of a racial word has been officially served. Since that night of chaos on April 8th against the San Jose Earthquakes, many things went wrong, that led to a crazy situation going over the top. But in the end, justice was or wasn't done depending on who thought the suspension should have been longer than just six games. The South Ward walked out in protest the next match, they returned to see the final match of the Gerhard Struber era in a one-goal loss against the Philadelphia Union. Now Vanzeir is eligible to return to the club. The Red Bulls released a statement to the supporters on their website to inform the situation that happened within the club. " In the days following our match with San Jose, after careful review and support from Major League Soccer and leaders in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion space, the club appointed a reputable firm to

photo by Matt Kremkau by Garry Redman HARRISON, NJ - No one will disagree that the Red Bulls played their worst season match at Stade Saputo, losing to Montréal 2-0 back in April. Since then, the Red Bulls have made some changes. First, Head Coach Gerhard Struber was relieved of his duties and replaced by Troy Lesesne. As a result, the team has enjoyed the "new coach bounce" thus far, defeating D.C. United in the Open Cup, and then NYCFC at home before neutralizing the expensive offense of Toronto F.C. en route to a scoreless draw on Wednesday.  Sean Nealis, Andres Reyes, and Cristian Cásseres Jr. picked up one-match bans due to yellow card accumulation and have returned for this match. Speaking of happy returns, Dante Vanzier completed the six-match ban he received in March, making him eligible for team selection and setting the stage for redemption in front of the supporters on a wet and dreary evening in Northern New Jersey. Twenty-three minutes into the match, the Red Bul

photo by Matt Kremkau by Garry Redman The Red Bulls were feeling pretty good after their 1-0 victory over their local rivals New York Football Club, on Saturday. With very little time to celebrate, they headed north to BMO Field to face an injury-riddled Toronto FC squad looking to gain three points after losing two straight matches, one win in their last nine. Troy Lesesne and his team will have to navigate injuries and suspensions themselves. With 23 players from both sides out of action, 12 of them for New York alone, the Red Bulls' "Next Man Up" philosophy will be tested.  Several players on the Red Bulls were playing out of position, mainly out of necessity, in addition to shoring up the bench, with some last-minute signings from New York Red Bulls II,  Toronto had a chance in the 29th minute as Federico Bernardseski had an open look after taking a cross from Insigne, but the shot was blocked by John Tolkin just in the nick of time, keeping the home team scoreless. 

photo by Matt Kremkau by Anthony J. Merced HARRISON, N.J. - The Lesesne era got off to a flying start when the New York Red Bulls defeated NYCFC on Saturday evening with a second-half howler of a goal from Omir Fernandez. The game, which was evenly matched in the first half, saw New York pressure City towards the end of the game, capitalizing on a defensive error for the game's only goal. New York debuted their new approach under head coach Troy Lesesne. It consisted of a far less chaotic approach, with Tom Barlow acting as the main striker alongside Dru Yearwood in a far more advanced role. While it wasn't flashy, they possessed the ball well and forced City into giving the ball away in the middle of the field throughout the first half. Towards the halftime whistle the Red Bulls followed suit with key giveaways in the middle of field. NYCFC was unable to take advantage, sending the game to the second half as a stalemate. It was much of the same in the second half. However, the

photo by Matt Kremkau by Daniel Feuerstein THAT!  That is what the Red Bull way is all about. What we saw tonight at Montclair State University Soccer Park is what was preached by Jesse Marsch, attempted by Chris Armas, Bradley Carnell, and sadly fell apart by Gerhard Struber. What we saw with a new man in charge for the rest of the 2023 season is the hope that there is change and plenty of room to save the season. I don't care what Wayne Rooney brought over to face the Red Bulls with his undermanned DC United side, the level of fight, press, conviction, and while they are still undermanned due to injuries, what you saw on a Tuesday night at the home of RBNY 2 of MLS Next Pro, is what we have all been missing at the start of this season at Red Bull Arena. The communication was better, the linkup play was better and if they can continue to play like this, we can say that this current season is saved and they may climb out of the basement of the Eastern Conference. If not then they s

photo by Matt Kremkau by Anthony J. Merced New York Red Bulls and Gerhard Struber have parted ways following a dismal start to the 2023 campaign that sees the team in last place of the Eastern Conference. It follows yet another loss this weekend to the Philadelphia Union that sees the team with just one win over the course of 11 games. "After many discussions over the past few weeks, we mutually came to an agreement that a change now would be beneficial for both parties," said Head of Sport Jochen Schneider.  While the move may be mutual contractually, this season has been incredibly tempestuous given the results as well as the controversy surrounding Designated Player signing Dante Vanzier, who is in the midst of a six-game suspension for inappropriate and damaging language.  With Struber the team did little to progress further than in previous seasons. While continuing to extend the Red Bulls' playoff streak, the team has not been able to progress to a final whether tha

photo by Matt Kremkau by Daniel Feuerstein It's happened again.  Time and time again this Red Bulls team has continued to find a way to drop a result, or they get the wrong side of calls that should be in their favor. But we all know one thing: there is a big problem and somehow they need to find a way to fix this problem and do it quickly. First, we look at the play on the field. You can definitely see that there is a disconnect on the field. After the first 20 minutes of the match, the Red Bulls who begin with fire and brimstone, go into a lull and get themselves into trouble. Their passing isn't crisp enough, they are overcomplicating matters, no communication from the midfield to the strikers, or the attackers bring the ball up the pitch. How many times has Corey Burke tried to time his run for a solid pass, and then he's either left all alone on an island, receives the ball too early, or too late and the opposition is able to stop that run. Or seeing Cameron Harper att

photo by Matt Kremkau by Garry Redman HARRISON, NJ - With both teams dealing with schedule congestion with U.S. Open Cup matches later in the week, one goal from a penalty kick by Daniel Gazdag was all Philadelphia needed to beat the Red Bulls 1-0. The Red Bulls returned home after earning only one point on the road. They faced a determined Philadelphia Union team eager to surpass their I-95 rivals. Gerhard Struber and his team focused on making a long and arduous climb back into the playoff picture while gaining some respectability among the supporters. The first half started with the usual issues in the midfield. Disconnected passes, and touches that went nowhere in particular but in the seats, and not being clinical in the final third, then the Red Bulls began to make some headway on the attack but was negated by an apparent handball, but despite the arguments made by the team, nothing was given by the official, and play continued to the chagrin of the Red Bulls. In the 32nd minute,

photo by Matt Kremkau by Daniel Feuerstein Head of Sport Jochen Schneider just got this signing at the bell when he brought over Ghanian International Midfielder Ronald Donkor during the final moments of the MLS Transfer Window that ended on Monday, April 24th. The club has signed Donkor to a four-year MLS contract through 2026, with an option towards 2027. He will occupy an International Roster spot on the roster. “Ronald is an exciting young player that we believe will fit well in our club,” Head of Sport Jochen Schneider said. “He is a box-to-box midfielder that has sound technical abilities, and we look forward to his continued development within our environment.” The Red Bulls received Donkor from his club Guidars FC, but he also played in youth soccer with JMG Football Academy both clubs are located in his native country of Ghana.  "I'm happy to welcome Ronald to our club," said Head Coach Gerhard Struber. "He is a very interesting young player, and our goal is