Red Bull New York slumped to its second straight loss after returning from the World Cup break as Charlotte FC capitalized on defensive breakdowns to prevail at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
Here are five key takeaways from the 2-0 defeat. Click here for Saturday’s full post-match recap.
1) Red Bull New York’s Attack Lacks End Product
New York was shut out despite controlling 63 percent of possession and generating 23 shots compared to Charlotte’s five.
“Playing against a low block is always tough,” forward Julian Hall said after the defeat. “You know, I think [of] some small details in terms of quick play inside the box. It’s tight in there, but just finding little ways to get shots off and big chances and trying to use our wide guys. We have great skill out wide, so [we’re] trying to get them in the attack more.
“We just need to find better ways and solutions. That’s going to be worked on in training, so we’ll definitely find those ways to get back.”
It felt like a match that was calling out for the finishing ability and aerial presence of veteran forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
The 37-year-old has been back in training but hasn’t been deemed ready to return to the matchday squad by Bradley.
“Choupo’s last game was May 9 in Chicago, and since that game has been dealing with a few different physical issues — nothing big,” Bradley explained. “He was out for a few weeks before the break, and then the issue that he initially had then, as he was coming back from that, as he was working during the break, another little issue popped up.
“We’re just trying to spend the time with him now to make sure that we build him up in a way that, physically, he is ready. We’ll continue to push him along and build him up so we can get him to the point where he’s ready to give us his qualities and give us some really important minutes.”
Even when Choupo-Moting has been healthy, he’s been reduced to a bit part role with Hall preferred to lead the line. Bradley’s decision to place his trust in Hall has been justified by the 18-year-old’s nine goals and four assists through 17 MLS starts.
That said, there will be times when Choupo-Moting’s hold-up play, physicality and instincts can cause havoc to opposing defenses and change outcomes.
2) Sloppy Play Dooms Red Bulls Again
It’s been two consecutive matches where the Red Bulls were punished for their mistakes. Captain Emil Forsberg felt that the two goals against could have been prevented on Saturday.
“The first 20 minutes — I think we got sloppy,” Forsberg said. “It’s two unnecessary goals from us, and you get punished if you don’t do the details, and we got that today. It feels bad because I think the two goals that we conceded were unnecessary because I think overall we controlled the game.”
Forsberg’s assessment echoed Bradley’s verdict after Wednesday’s 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Union, where the head coach described two of the Red Bulls’ goals conceded as “soft.”
The 34-year-old midfielder is looking ahead to finishing the second half of the campaign strongly.
“We have 17 games to go — a lot to play for,” he stated. “Obviously, we didn’t want to start this way, but keep going, look forward.”
That turnaround must start immediately against Orlando City SC next Saturday.
3) Bradley Appears Ready To Trust Julián Bazán
After the Philadelphia defeat and in midweek preparation ahead of Saturday, Bradley hinted that 20-year-old defender Julián Bazán could be in line for an increased role.
Bradley opted to insert Bazán at right-back against the Union in part because throwing him into central defense in a trailing effort would have been a difficult assignment.
On Saturday, Bradley reshuffled the back four and handed Bazán his first career MLS start at center-back. Dylan Nealis was shifted over to right-back to accommodate Bazán’s inclusion in the starting XI.
“Bazán generally, for his first time starting for his first real minutes as a center-back, we thought he had a good game,” Bradley stated.
“So we’re going to continue to push him along. He’s made a good impression since he’s arrived here in terms of his qualities as a player, as a competitor. He has really good starting points, so we’re pleased with him.”
A center-back partnership of Bazán and Justin Che appears to be the most likely solution going forward.
If Bradley were to go that route, it would allow the possibility of having Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty compete with Nealis at right-back and with Matthew Dos Santos and Omar Valencia at left-back, as Marshall-Rutty can play on either side.
4) Bradley Continues to Fully Embrace Youth
Young forward Mijahir Jimenez entered Saturday’s match in the 70th minute and looked the part in his MLS debut.
“Mijahir came on and at that point in the game helped us in really good ways,” Bradley said.
The 19-year-old made nine touches and completed five of five passes, including one pass into the final third and one accurate long ball. He also made two recoveries.
“He came in, he was confident, good with the ball, and helped the team,” Forsberg declared. “He obviously should be proud of himself and be happy to have made his debut because that’s what they’re all chasing.
“All the young guys coming up, training, working hard every day. [It] still shows that if you work hard, you will get the chance. All these guys are working very hard and very humble and just want to get better. It’s fun to see.”
Andy Rojas made an 84th-minute cameo. Across three MLS appearances, the 20-year-old forward has completed 82 percent of his passes.
Nate Worth was named to the bench for the second consecutive match, but the 19-year-old midfielder will need to wait a little longer to make his MLS debut.
5) Don’t Panic — It’s a Process
It’s understandable why some sections of Sports Illustrated Stadium grew frustrated with Red Bull New York’s miscues and their collective inability to make Charlotte pay.
On most days where the Red Bulls gain the lion’s share of possession and generate more than four times the shots of their opponent, it should be rewarded with three points.
“Generally, I thought our ideas and our way of trying to push the game from 2-0 down were pretty good,” Bradley asserted. “We missed the last pass, the last cross, the last shot and the last dribble. We got into really good spots, but we weren’t quite able to find the decisive bit of quality, speed or execution. That’s certainly something we have to continue working on.”
Given that this is Bradley’s first year in Major League Soccer and the fact that he’s managing a very young squad, there will continue to be learning moments for both the head coach and his players.
There is no magic button to press to suddenly give these players the experience of veterans. That takes time to build, and although Bradley possesses a promising coaching mind, he’s going to encounter situations that will test and redefine his methods.
Before everyone hits the panic button, let’s take a moment to recognize that the Red Bulls are ahead of schedule after an offseason of major changes and flipping the switch fully to the youth movement.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it will take more than half of a season for the Red Bulls to become an experienced, disciplined and organized Roman legion.
More Red Bull New York Coverage
Enjoyed this story? Follow us for the latest updates! | Bluesky | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Leave a Reply