Red Bull New York midfielder Gustav Berggren has never complained when he’s been asked to switch from his natural central midfield position to serve as a makeshift center-back.
The 28-year-old Swede performed admirably and played the full 90 minutes at center-back in New York’s 3-1 victory over Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Wednesday.
“I’m a team player,” Berggren said following the win at Sports Illustrated Stadium. “I need to help the team. If I can help the team now by playing central defender, I will do that. No matter where, I will do my best to try to help the team.
“I prefer to be a midfielder, but it’s alright, it’s fun to play. [I feel] a little bit more comfortable; it’s a big difference from playing in the midfield. I need to learn and adapt. It will get better game by game, I hope.”
Michael Bradley Praises Berggren’s Professionalism
Head coach Michael Bradley saluted Berggren’s professionalism and dedication after the Red Bulls booked their place in the last 16 of the U.S. Open Cup against Hudson River Derby rivals NYCFC.
“Gustav is an incredible professional,” Bradley said. “It hasn’t been the easiest start to the season for him personally. He continues to come in every single day, and he works as hard as he possibly can. He gives everything he has to the group. He is ready in any moment to give us everything that he has.”
Berggren Adjusting to Center-Back Role
Injuries to Justin Che and Dylan Nealis forced Berggren into center-back duty in New York’s 6-1 defeat to Charlotte FC on March 21.
“I felt really bad for him in Charlotte because we asked him to play in the back that night,” Bradley explained. “For the first 55 or so minutes, he had a good game, and then he ended up on the wrong side of a play and ends up getting the red card.
“I was disappointed personally for him because he had been pushing and pushing and waiting for a chance to then play. For it to end like that, that part was a shame. In this last period, he and I have had a bunch of conversations to just say, look, we still see him and all the qualities that he has as a midfielder. But given the makeup of our squad and given where we are with a few different things, that there are going to be days in training, there might be moments in games where we use him in the center of the back.
“He’s been as open as you could possibly be to that. He was excellent in terms of understanding what the game needed, how to put out fires, how to take care of plays, how to add his football and allow us to play in a really good way. I’m very happy for him.”
Julian Hall Salutes Berggren’s Selfless Attitude
Forward Julian Hall praised Berggren for his positive attitude. Berggren’s selfless team-first example can only rub off positively on youngsters like Hall.
“We’ve never even seen him complain,” Hall stated. “We’ve always just seen him put his head down and work. He’s willing to even improve on getting better in that position. It just shows how much of a collective we are and how much of a family we are.”
The Red Bulls will return to MLS play on Saturday away to CF Montréal with kick off scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time at Saputo Stadium.
It will be an opportunity for New York to demonstrate their improvement since Montréal shocked New York to a 3-0 defeat at Sports Illustrated Stadium on March 8.
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