New York Red Bulls went to the top of the Eastern Conference on Saturday night with a 2-1 win over FC Cincinnati but that isn’t an accomplishment that impresses head coach Sandro Schwarz. The first-year coach is having a fantastic start with a team that struggled heavily in 2023 to score goals in big moments. On Saturday he got that from Frankie Amaya and Dante Vanzeir. However he, and the team, knows there is more work to be done.
“Nothing, to be honest,” said Schwarz when asked what it means to be in first place after seven games. “It was more important that we had this performance, that we have this confidence. That we dominate in away game, in Cincinnati, against a top team. It’s good to get these results but it is only seven games now in the regular season.”
Schwarz showing pragmatism is now surprise given his experience in Europe. Topping the table so early in the campaign is never a sign that you have accomplished the goal. Especially here in New York where the expectation isn’t Supporters Shield but instead MLS Cup. The team is a long way from that accomplishment. However the win, especially how it occurred, is a sign that the momentum is shifting in their direction.
In particular it was Dante Vanzeir who showed the biggest leap in the game. The striker has had issues scoring in his time with New York. While he hasn’t let it affect his game, becoming a prolific assist man this season, Red Bulls have desperately needed a striker that can score in big moments. His cutback goal against Cincinnati should add to his confidence and also that of the team now that they know the Belgian striker is capable of all that was promised last year.
“Once that goal is in the back of the net I’m sure the next ones will follow,” said Vanzeir. “What they expect from me is scoring goals. That’s my main focus. On the other hand, I just want to help the team as much as possible. If I’m not the guy at the end of the action in front of goal, then I hope I can set up the action to let someone else score.”
That selfless mentality is what has made Vanzeir and the Red Bulls so potent in 2024. It is no coincidence that they are at the top of the Eastern Conference and much of that has to do with how both Schwarz and Vanzeir have altered the perception of the team and returned them to a winning mentality not seen since 2019.
photo by Matt Kremkau