The start of the 2024 season of the New York Red Bulls has been a flying one. In fact, I didn’t think this quick start would’ve gone this good so quickly. It’s not just the transfers who came in, but it’s also the coaching style that’s been looking very solid, and a fresh start truly was needed after so many seasons of poor soccer and wondering if this team would ever reach the upper echelons of the Eastern Conference.
So far the additions of Emil Forsberg, and Noah Eile have solidified this team both on offense, defense, and transitions with some excellent ball movement on the attack. There looks to be some purpose out on the pitch whenever the Red Bulls are trying to show their skills and look dangerous on the offensive side as well.
What’s also helped is the return of Lewis Morgan, who was sorely missed last season due to injury. The linkups with both Forsberg and Vanzeir look like they have played together for a very long time. Eile’s contribution to the backline has strengthened the defense and he has been a calming presence with Sean Neails, and the fullbacks with Kyle Duncan, Dylan Nealis, and John Tolkin. But back to Lewis Morgan: His return feels like a transfer day move as he currently leads the Golden Boot race with six goals, including a hat trick against Inter Miami at Red Bull Arena.
The man who was brought in to give this restart the proper push is first year MLS Head Coach Sandro Schwarz. What he has done is given clarity and confidence to his players. You can see their runs on offense and when they track back on defense. There’s more communication on the pitch, and it has more structure than in seasons past. While the loss of Luquinhas in the winter transfer window back to Brazil was a big shock, seeing this Red Bulls team looking this good early on to start the 2024 season is a bigger shock, but a happy one.
While the loss to the Columbus Crew at Lower .com Field was a huge disappointment, and the dropping of the two points on the road in Orlando was as well, you still have to be happy overall at where they currently sit in the Eastern Conference. A three-way tie for second place with Inter Miami and Columbus. No one thought this start would make this much noise so quickly. It’s exciting and fun to watch seeing the Red Bulls begin the year five out of the first six matches unbeaten.
Three wins, two draws and a loss is fantastic in my book, but as always when we get to the heart of the season during the summer months and missing several players due to Copa America duty and the Olympics, it should be interesting how this summer will play out, and into the fall. But until then let’s enjoy the ride and see what will happen in the next game.