Orlando City
Intelligence Report: Orlando City vs. New York Red Bulls
Find out what you need to know about this year’s Red Bulls squad, courtesy of someone who knows them best.
An Orlando City game is just over the horizon, and that means the Lions will have a chance to bounce back from a disappointing loss on the road against New York City FC on Matchday 3. Up next is another away match — this time against the New York Red Bulls.
A showdown with the Red Bulls means that I caught up with Mark Fishkin, host of the excellent Seeing Red Podcast. As always, Mark was very helpful in bringing us up to speed on everything we need to know about the Red Bulls.
Take me through New York’s off-season transfer business. Where do you feel this roster stands compared to the one that made the MLS Cup final last year?
Mark Fishkin: New York restocked the attack by bringing in 35-year-old former Bayern striker Erik-Maxim Choupo-Moting and 20-year-old Polish second-division player Wiktor Bogacz, though the latter has yet to play due to injury. Experienced central defender Alexander Hack, who played under coach Sandro Schwarz at Mainz, joined as well. John Tolkin was sold to Holstein Kiel in Germany, and Dante Vanzeir returned to Belgium. Elias Manoel was traded to Real Salt Lake. So far, the team has scored just twice in three matches but has conceded only once, continuing the strong defensive play that served the Red Bulls so well during last season’s playoff run.
Bearing those moves in mind, have there been any changes to the way New York wants to play, or has the team’s identity remained the same?
MF: New York’s principles of play have remained the same…turn over the opponent in their defensive half, and get to goal. Under Schwarz, though, the Red Bulls are much more comfortable holding possession. New York has switched full-time to a three-man back line and usually drive the ball forward through the wings. There isn’t a ton of speed up front with this season’s squad, especially now that Lewis Morgan is out for six weeks after knee surgery.
Obviously it’s very early in the season, but what are your expectations for New York this year? What will be considered a successful season?
MF: The baseline expectation is that New York will extend their long playoff streak for the 16th straight season. After that, who knows? The playoffs are such a crapshoot as the Red Bulls proved last season, advancing to MLS Cup as the seventh seed. Fans don’t want to take a step backwards, but they understand how hard the playoffs are to predict. Coach Schwarz has said that the team will push for deep runs in the U.S. Open Cup and Leagues Cup.
Will any players be unavailable due to injury, suspension, etc.? What is your projected starting XI and score prediction?
MF: The Red Bulls will be without the aforementioned Morgan, as well as right wing Cam Harper, who is recovering from a knee injury. There are quite a few depth players sidelined as well.
The New York lineup could be (3-4-1-2): Carlos Coronel; Alexander Hack, Sean Nealis, Noah Eile; Omar Valencia, Daniel Edelman, Peter Stroud, Dylan Nealis, Emil Forsberg; Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Mohammed Sofo.
The Red Bulls put on a defensive masterclass in Atlanta last week. Orlando scores and concedes a ton. New York does neither. I can see a 1-1 draw.
Thank you to Mark for the excellent primer on this year’s Red Bulls team. Vamos Orlando!
