Red Bull New York can at best be described as a defensive work in progress, and that’s if you’re being generous.
While the attack has been fast-paced and fruitful, the back line has been leaky, uncoordinated and error-prone. On Saturday, Red Bull New York went into halftime down 2-0 due to a pair of costly mistakes by Joyeux Masanka Bungi.
“The biggest frustration in the first half is that on a night where you go away from home when you play against a good team in a great stadium in a good atmosphere that when we get to the end of the first half we can’t find a way to just make sure that we get into halftime only down 1-0,” Bradley said during his post-match press conference.
“We lose track of a few things and let a play that should have no business being in our box or anywhere close to our goal, and now all of a sudden they’re calling a penalty and we’re down 2-0.”
Despite some dangerous second-half attacks, Red Bull New York couldn’t find the back of the net and were shut out 2-0 by FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium.
Familiar Defensive Problems Resurface in First Half
Masanka Bungi started his first career MLS match on Saturday and was hooked after 45 unimpressive minutes. The 19-year-old on loan from RB Leipzig should have been stronger against Pavel Bucha, who set up Kévin Denkey’s opening goal in the 40th minute. Minutes later, he proceeded to give away a penalty with a mistimed tackle on Evander.
“Joyeux is a young player with a lot of good starting points,” Bradley said. “Very good left foot, easy on the ball. Can play in a few different positions. He comes very highly regarded from Leipzig.”
Two goals from Denkey, the second of which was a confidently struck penalty, put Red Bull New York behind 2-0 as the sides went into the halftime break.
No one is saying that Bradley, his staff and the talent available aren’t capable of sorting out their defensive struggles – but they’re going to need to demonstrate real progress soon.
The Red Bulls have already conceded an alarming 25 goals through the first 10 MLS matches of the Michael Bradley Era. Only Orlando City SC (27) have surrendered more goals among all MLS clubs.
Encouraging Second-Half Push Lacked Finishing Touches
There was a charge from the Red Bulls in the second half, but creating chances hasn’t been a problem for New York. The issue is that their shoddy defending means they’re almost always chasing from behind or letting leads slip.
The 62nd-minute introductions of creative captain Emil Forsberg and hardworking winger Jorge Ruvalcaba sparked the Red Bulls into greater attacking zeal.
“The response in the second half was excellent,” Bradley stated. “That was us. We pushed the game in every way.”
Substitute Matthew Dos Santos struck a venomous free kick that rang the post. Several other chances drifted wide or were handled by FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano.
The Red Bulls could have used the finishing touch of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who was originally called into the starting XI, but an illness forced him to be withdrawn not long before kick off.
Hudson River Derby Test Awaits Red Bull New York on Wednesday
With the visit of Hudson River Derby rivals New York City FC coming on Wednesday in Round 16 of the U.S. Open Cup, the Red Bulls must respond to the pressure and find solutions to their back line troubles.
“The page gets turned very quickly,” Bradley said of Wednesday’s contest. “Big game, big cup match on Wednesday night… derby at home in our stadium. We’re going to do everything we can to recover quickly and make sure that when that game starts on Wednesday night, that we’re ready.”
Midfielder Gustav Berggren says that he and his teammates are ready to do everything in their power to produce a winning result against NYCFC.
“This kind of game is the best,” Berggren stated. “We’ll recharge now, and then we’re looking forward to Wednesday. We will do everything we can to win this game.”
Wednesday’s match will kick off at 7 p.m. Eastern Time at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
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