Red Bull News Network

New York Red Bulls have strengthened their striker pool with the addition of Watford striker Ashley Fletcher from the English Premier League on loan for a six month trial. The 26 year-old English forward has experience on many levels and looks to translate that to Major League Soccer. "His general movement off the ball suggests he has a good level of game understanding," said head coach Gerhard Struber. "He will hopefully prove to be a good piece in the attacking zone." Fletcher has played a majority of his career in the English Championship, the second division of English football, with Middlesbrough. In his most productive year he scored 13 goals in 46 appearances. Only once has he hit double digit goals. He joined EPL's Watford in 2021 but failed to make much of a splash with just one goal in three appearances.  The move deepens Struber's options with Tom Barlow as the main back-up thus far this season. Whether or not he can remain with the club will be s...

photo by Matt Kremkau With both head coaches Gerhard Struber and Matias Almeyda expecting more from their respective teams during the winter transfer window before the 2022 Major League Soccer season, Struber, had a hard time hiding his disappointment when the targets he wanted were not acquired during the press conference with the local media on Wednesday.  “I think I am a realistic man, I am not a dreamer,” Struber said. “I know when everything goes in the right direction when we make the right progress the next two weeks, then I think we are an interesting team. But this needs time right now. We are very, very young without many experienced players. This is the situation. I have to manage that. I have a big trust in my players that we progress in the next few weeks, but this needs time.” Meanwhile, San Jose's head coach Matias Almeyda hinted at leaving the Earthquakes after first reporting that things were "great" during his tenure, but since then, things have changed ...

photo by Matt Kremkau A very thin New York Red Bulls team will travel to San Jose to play the Earthquakes in the first game of the 2022 MLS season for both teams on Saturday night. The game comes amidst turmoil as head coach Gerhard Struber expressed frustration with the team's off-season signings and Head of Sport Kevin Thelwell has departed for a Sporting Director job at Everton in England. "This needs time right now," said Struber when speaking of the team's young and developing roster. "We are very, very, young without many experienced players. This is the situation. I have to manage that. I have big trust in my players that we progress in the next few weeks, but this needs time." New York is expected to go into the game with just 16 players available. Recent signing Luquinhas will not be available as his visa issues are still being handled. He has not trained with the team and needs time to integrate. Other players will be missing due to injuries includ...

photo by Matt Kremkau In the latest bit of drama coming out of the offices of the New York Red Bulls, word out of Harrison that Kevin Thelwell has left the organization to become Director of Football for Everton Football Club in the Premier League.    “On behalf of the organization, we would like to thank Kevin for his contributions and efforts to the club over the last two years," said Marc de Grandpré, General Manager, New York Red Bulls. "We wish Kevin all the best, both personally and professionally, in his new endeavor."   Thelwell was announced as Head of Sport in February of 2020 and helped lead the club to back-to-back Audi MLS Cup Playoff appearances. Over two seasons, he has made key acquisitions to build the roster, which is highlighted by Carlos Coronel, Caden Clark, Patryk Klimala, Andrés Reyes, and Dru Yearwood. New York tied for the fewest goals allowed in 2021, moving up from 14th in 2020, with the help of those additions.   Most recently, Thelwell ha...

photo by Matt Kremkau Ever since former New York Red Bulls midfielder Sean Davis took his talents over to Nashville SC during the offseason, one of the questions that supporters had was who was going to be the next captain of the team in 2022 and, possibly beyond. Well, wonder no more. The New York Red Bulls have selected the United States Men’s National Team defender Aaron Long as the team's captain, Head Coach Gerhard Struber announced today.  Aaron Ray Long, 29, is the first player in franchise history to sign with New York Red Bulls II, earn promotion to the senior team, and be named captain. The Oak Hills, California native signed with Red Bulls II on March 10, 2016, and subsequently earned 2016 USL Defender of the Year while anchoring a Red Bulls II backline and team to a 2016 USL Championship title. Long then was promoted to the first team on February 22, 2017, and has been a mainstay for New York’s and the USMNT’s backline. For the club, he has recorded 135 starts, 140 tota...

photo from New York Red Bulls New York Red Bulls announce the signing of Serge Ngoma to a homegrown player contract for four years with an option for a fifth season. The 16 year-old made his professional debut with New York Red Bulls II and has impressed enough to be brought into the first team. "We see big potential out of him," said head coach Gerhard Struber. "We want to see him continue to grow with Red Bulls II and hope his development goes in a positive way." While his contract is an MLS one, his loan to the USL Championship side is all but guaranteed. Many talents have sharpened their skills with New York Red Bulls II including Tyler Adams, Aaron Long, Derrick Etienne Jr., Alex Muyl and others that have featured for the first team in recent years. Ngoma started his time with New York in the U-13 ranks as part of the Red Bulls Academy. The New Jersey-native helped the U-15 club qualify for the Generation Adidas tournament in 2020 and made it a habit of scoring...

photo by Matt Kremkau As the season opener for 2022 draws ever closer, the New York Red Bulls brought back one of their key members of last season. English defender Tom Edwards returns from Stoke City, the contract will be a year-long loan, pending the receipt of his P-1 Visa and ITC, and will occupy an international spot on the team's roster. “We are thrilled to bring Tom back to New York," said Head of Sport Kevin Thelwell. “Bringing him back was a priority of ours at the beginning of the offseason because of the quality he has both on and off the field.” Edwards, 23, had a strong first season in MLS for New York last year. The Stoke City defender logged 1,958 minutes in 27 games for the Red Bulls. He helped anchor a New York defense to eight clean sheets in 25 starts. Offensively, Edwards recorded two assists, both of which came in Red Bulls victories. “I am pleased to have Tom back with the squad," said Head Coach Gerhard Struber. “Not only does he have top quality on...