Sometimes the surface level stats tell a lot of the story.
New York Red Bulls gave up less than one goal a game in 2018, a rate even better than LAFC’s exceptional 1.0 goals per game this season.
In 2019, the Red Bulls are giving up 1.53 goals per game headed into Wednesday night’s match at Portland and have lost six of their past ten contests. Bradley Wright-Phillips notched 20 goals a year ago, but now the club has no double-digit scorers. Kaku’s assists per game stat has been cut in half.
But the broader worry for Red Bulls, the one that overshadows all the numbers, is this: Nobody’s afraid.
Last year, facing Red Bulls meant trying to decipher hieroglyphics while traveling at light speed: A complex, breathless press was in your face at all times, and as soon as you lost the ball it was headed toward goal. This was modern soccer filtered through the lens of rugby: Passing was for suckers and field position was king.
When Jesse Marsch left, Chris Armas tried to rein in the press to get a bit more game control. This isn’t some great violation of the Red Bull code; as the ownership group’s clubs across the world have climbed their respective standings, they’ve struggled to take the next step and begin collecting real, valuable hardware. Thus, Julian Nagelsmann in Leipzig, and Armas’ freedom in Jersey.
But it hasn’t clicked this season. The loss of Tyler Adams has left a hole in the center, and the indifferent form of Kaku has forced more creation to come from the wingers that were previously dedicated to driving at goal. Most worryingly, NYRB is suffering from the same affliction that can undercut nearly every team-oriented system: You still need a consistent striker.
The Union will have a lot more clarity on Red Bull after their Jersey rival after Wednesday evening. Amro Tarek and Cristian Casseres picked up injuries against Seattle and are doubts for Wednesday’s game. Kaku is also struggling but remains likely to play, which would mean he’d have a quick turnaround for Sunday’s match while still chasing 100% fitness.
The Union and Red Bulls face off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 22 in Red Bull Arena on PHL17.
