Red Bull New York captain Emil Forsberg issued a promise to supporters ahead of four crucial matches that will determine the Red Bulls’ playoff destiny.
“I promise you guys that for the last four games, we’re going to do everything we can to make the playoffs,” Forsberg told South Ward Central following Thursday’s training session at RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center.
The veteran midfielder, who turned 35 on Friday, is challenging his teammates to raise their play against a heavyweight set of final regular-season opponents in Inter Miami CF, the New England Revolution, Nashville SC and Atlanta United. Nashville is on the verge of clinching the Supporters’ Shield, while New England sits fourth overall among all MLS clubs.
Reigning MLS Cup champions Inter Miami, who enter the weekend third overall in the league table, will visit Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday evening.
Forsberg has heard the prognostications about the Red Bulls’ playoff hopes fading after consecutive defeats to D.C. United and Toronto FC. He and his teammates are eager to prove they can rise to the challenge by delivering victories against some of the league’s most formidable squads.
Forsberg Urges Red Bull New York to Seize Playoff Opportunity
“We’ve got to see opportunity in that,” Forsberg said. “We play against great teams, but we are a great team as well but we’ve got to show it on the pitch. The opportunity is there for us and we’ve got to be able to be there when it comes. It’s four very important games for us now — it’s four finals.
“So we’ve got to do whatever we can to win those games because we want to be in the playoffs. So for us, it’s important that we as a team come together in this period because it’s all to play for. We have all to get. So it’s going to be exciting.”
New York currently holds the ninth and final playoff position in the Eastern Conference. There is little room for error, as the Red Bulls are only separated by a total wins tiebreaker compared to 10th-place Toronto FC, as both clubs have collected 36 points.
Toronto, 11th-place Columbus (35 points), 12th-place New York City FC (34 points) and 13th-place D.C. United (33 points) are breathing down the Red Bulls’ necks in a hotly contested race for playoff positioning. FC Cincinnati is three points ahead of the Red Bulls and own a superior goal difference.
Forsberg Stresses Unity Ahead of Pivotal Inter Miami Clash
When Red Bull New York takes their home turf on Saturday against Inter Miami, all of the prematch chatter will fade. Forsberg is counting on his squad’s unity, preparation and spirit to ignite a late-season charge.
“The most important thing now is to keep the group together,” Forsberg said. “We’ll do everything we can to make it. We still have a good chance if we come together as a team, and that’s [what] the focus has to be.
“It’s important to be responsible for your own performances. So take seriousness in everything you do. We have a great group of young guys learning more and more every day. So at the end of the day, it comes out [in] what you do on the pitch. We’ve been having good sessions. The guys feel ready, so it’s going to be a big game for us now on Saturday.”
Red Bull New York and Inter Miami are scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. Eastern time kickoff on Saturday. The match will be carried on Apple TV.
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