New York Red Bulls will be without Andres Reyes for two games following an MLS Disciplinary Committee review of his red card against Chicago Fire FC last Saturday. The suspension will mean that New York will have to manage without their starter in the game against LAFC this weekend and their home game against the Vancouver Whitecaps on April, 27th.
“I said to him that I don’t want to see this anymore,” said head coach Sandro Schwarz on his discussion with Reyes. “He said directly sorry to me, to the whole coaching staff. He has to learn about these situations and I’m sure he will learn.”
Reyes was initially handed a yellow card for swinging his arm backwards and striking a Fire player while setting up to defend a free kick. The play was reviewed by the head official and the call was changed from a yellow card to a straight red. Consequently, the Red Bulls had to sub off striker Dante Vanzeir for defender Sean Nealis, directly affecting the outcome of the game. While New York certainly had chances to win the game, it was inevitably a draw with the club having to manage over 50 minutes with just 10 men.
This isn’t the first instance of Reyes showing signs of undisciplined behavior. Last season the Colombian defender picked up a red card and 12 yellow cards throughout the season. His physical style is one that rides the line and is quite stark whenever that line is crossed. While he remains a bit of a wild card for the club defensively, there is no doubt that his contribution last season, and in the early part of 2024, prove why he is so valuable to the club.
Meanwhile, New York will do their best with Sean Nealis and Noah Eile as their main defensive options. Both have worked well together thus far in 2024. Nealis has suffered for nagging injuries that head coach Schwarz hoped to help the player overcome with additional rest. However, that appears off the table as the club will need him over the next two weeks until Reyes returns from suspension.