Skip to main content

The Lesesne Change works in the Open Cup

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 should at least make a run in the US Open Cup to show the rest of the East and the league they will be dangerous again in 2024.

Troy LeSene knew he had a very teeny, tiny window to get these players ready for a big derby match against DC United who once again knocked them out of the Open Cup in the 4th Round in consecutive seasons. A fantastic cross from the near side by Tom Barlow found a trailing Omir Fernandez who smashed it home past Alex Bono in the 28th minute. That was all the Red Bulls needed, as DC United came into the match like a lamb and couldn't do a thing to trouble the Red Bulls. Maybe a chance or two, but nothing came of it at all.

Ryan Meara had a solid match and made three saves on five total shots, but none of them were on frame. You can tell this was free-flowing like it was in seasons past, a bit concerned for Corey Burke who subbed into the start of the second half with a right ankle injury, but hopefully, he will be fine and ready to go for the upcoming league match against NYCFC. 

The Troy LeSense era has begun on the right foot. The hope now is that this continues on into the current season and maybe, more positives will come the Red Bulls way, now worry about the draw on Thursday afternoon, and the next league match.

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: 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...
Post a Comment
Read more