Red Bulls Goal Scoring Issues Continue

Photo by Matt Kremkau

By Daniel Feuerstein

The Red Bulls had a big moment in front of them as they were ready to take on Inter Miami with their brand-new acquisition of Lionel Messi. Due to the interference of the Leagues Cup, he wasn't starting the match but came on as a second-half substitute. After going through eight grueling matches including the Semi-Finals of the US Open Cup knocking out FC Cincinnati in the penalty kick shootout, you would've thought they had a chance to take advantage of the situation in front of them.

Sadly they didn't. They may have looked like they were going forward, but sadly it wasn't themselves. They weren't pressing like they normally do, by hitting the gas and attacking down the pitch, They were hesitant and unfortunately squandered balls that should have been aimed for the net. The one big moment they had was flubbed by Omir Fernandez when Luquinhas took advantage of the defense, but sadly nothing came of it. 

They allowed a goal by Diego Gomez in the 37th minute after Carlos Coronel made a strong save, but for sixty minutes Lionel Messi was on the Inter Miami bench until he came into the match and towards the final minutes of regulation finally got his first MLS regular season goal in front of a sell-out crowd at Red Bull Arena. True they did play better in the second half, but it was still the same old story. They can defend, they can press, they can move the ball up the field, but they just can't continue to score goals. 

There is no denying that local academy talent is doing well with the players they continue to promote to the senior team, and yes there is more talent coming up the pipeline,. but the problem continues to be not getting veteran talent or getting significant names to come to Red Bull Arena, to help the local talent improve their game and make a significant push to a championship. 

Once the Bradley Wright-Phillips era ended so abruptly, the goal scoring has been getting fewer, and fewer. While there are injuries to both Lewis Morgan & Dante Vanzeir, you would still think they have enough to go out on the pitch and muster at least two goals a match, but sadly It's not good enough. The club's top front office people probably do or don't go on social media, but right now the fans are complaining, they feel it's over, that the club doesn't care anymore.

Yes, there is an article on an interview done by GM Marc DeGrandpre on ROI-nj.com (Return of Information) where the club is ready to spend to bring in international talent for the 2024 season, but would that be too little too late? I honestly hope not. The hope I have is they need to see the error of their ways and fix them. It's not so much losing good players to the transfer market, but unfortunately, the issues of bringing in players who just don't fit what has worked here for the last few seasons. 

Troy Lesesne has done a good job, but the consecutive streak of making the playoffs is truly in jeopardy right now. Their final season at Giants Stadium in 2009 saw them play their worst season before moving on to Red Bull Arena and beginning anew bringing over named players like Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez, and Tim Cahill. Then the Jesse Marsch era saw him gel talented American players with strong European players while mixing in talented academy players. 

But now it looks like there is a wrench in the works. It can be fixed, but the ending is still not looking good for this season. They need to make a run and in a hurry, they need to make two road visits to Foxborough and Chester before the September international break to get over the playoff line, or at least threaten the clubs above that line for a chance at the postseason. All we can do is wait and watch.