Get to know Omir Fernandez from the New York Red Bulls: the 24-year-old Bronx native is emerging as an outstanding setup man among the New York Red Bulls midfielders.
Well, he is no longer a teenager. Since joining the first team at the beginning of the 2019 season, Omir Fernandez has been steadily improving his technical skills and has 100 MLS appearances.
Let me explain the definition of “waiter” that I’m using here. In my native Brazil, we use this term to describe a player who can provide goal assists to his team.
After 19 matches this season, Omir has recorded three assists. Only the left-back John Tolkin, aka JMi, has more assists than him, with four. However, Tolkin joined the US Men’s National Team, which reached the semifinals in the Gold Cup. An interesting fact about his goal contributions is that they all came in the Red Bulls’ last three matches: home wins against Atlanta and New England, and a beautiful cross to Elias Manoel during the 2-1 loss to Columbus, away from home.
Wikelman Carmona gives #RBNY the lead once again with his first goal of the season! pic.twitter.com/RAKXKHmjSq
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 9, 2023
Gallery: With a lot of drama, New York Red Bulls collects three points against the Revolution
How much has the New York Red Bulls coaching change helped Omir Fernandez?
Since Troy Lesesne took over from Gerhard Struber in May, after the Austrian failed to deliver quality soccer wins and handled Dante Vanzeir’s racial slur incident better, the Red Bulls have played 10 MLS matches. They have a record of five wins, three losses, and two draws, with 13 goals scored and ten goals conceded. Omir had started five matches under Lesesne, including the Hudson River Derby against New York City when Fernandez scored the winning goal. He also made two appearances as a substitute but missed the cross-country trips to face Seattle and Inter Miami in May/June and the disappointing home loss to Orlando due to a muscle injury.
In Fernandez’s absence, the Red Bulls found the back of the net only once against Inter Miami.
A perfectly timed header from Elias Manoel levels it for @NewYorkRedBulls! pic.twitter.com/oB7GliIWKb
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 2, 2023
What’s next for Omir Fernandez?
It remains to be seen if Omir will continue his impressive streak of assists for the fourth consecutive match as New York prepares to host FC Cincinnati, who currently hold the top spot in the Eastern Conference and are the leaders in the Supporters Shield race. The match will occur on Wednesday (12) at the Red Bulls Arena.
Monday moods are better after three points 🤪 pic.twitter.com/UomlIgXf0m
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) July 10, 2023
(Cover: New York Red Bulls)
