Under their new head coach Sandro Schwarz, the New York Red Bulls tops the Eastern Conference and the Supporter’s Shield after seven matches
After a turbulent 2023 season that began with Gerhard Struber and ended with Troy Lesesne, the New York Red Bulls opted to start 2024 with a new manager.
Lesesne had even managed to qualify the club for the postseason for the fourteenth consecutive time – the longest streak of appearances among all sports leagues in the United States – and there was even the possibility of continuing in the role.
Sandro Schwarz Announced in December
Announced as the club’s coach in December, Sandro Schwarz arrived with Red Bulls fans unaware, as the coach had accumulated spells at German Mainz 05, Hertha BSC, and Russian Dynamo Moscow.
In February, Sandro would be presented to the press at an event organized by the club at the Red Bull Arena. “Sandro is a coach who brings a lot of energy with him. He’s a great leader, a great human being, that reason is number one. His style fits perfectly with our style of play, so it’s a perfect match”, said the Head of Sports of the New York Red Bulls, Jochen Schneider.
In Agreement with the Boss
Seven games after the regular season started, the New York Red Bulls appear as leaders of the Eastern Conference, with 14 points, in addition to being first in the Supporters’ Shield. This lead was achieved after the club played five matches away from home and just two games at home.
The record shows four wins, two draws, and just one defeat – to the Columbus Crew in the only time Sandro’s team failed to find the back of the net.
Central midfielder Peter Stroud has been with the New York Red Bulls since 2023 after being chosen by the club in that year’s draft. With Gerhard Struber and Troy Lesesne, the player was just another option on the bench; under Sandro, Stroud gained space and became the team’s starter, not to mention the top scorer in 2024 for the Red Bulls.
“Even last year, I still had confidence in myself. I just wanted to stay ready in case my number got called. Now, getting a good rhythm feels good. I just want to get better,” said the player.
“It’s been good. His ability to instill confidence in every single player, the energy he brings, everyone, every single player is growing,” said Peter Stroud before this Saturday’s match (13) against the Chicago Fire, the team’s reunion with the fans after two matches played away from the Red Bull Arena.
Even a club employee classified Sandro as “he’s fantastic” to explain the type of treatment Sandro gives to the Red Bulls staff.
Sandro Schwartz: Playing Style
In essence, the New York Red Bulls continue their traditional philosophy of pressing the opponent in their defensive third to cause mistakes and recover the ball quickly.
Sandro Schwarz’s difference in this sense from his predecessors is his desire to ensure that they are not tied to the club’s footballing DNA: it is also necessary to play with the ball, involve the opponent, and take advantage of the chances created.
One of the New York Red Bulls’ most prominent problems in 2023 was the low offensive production of their attackers.
To resolve this deficiency, the club’s management opened the coffers and sought out experienced Swedish attacking midfielder Emil Forsberg, who had been at RB Leipzig since 2014.
With his leadership on the field, Forsberg can maximize his teammates’ performances.
Injured for almost all of last year, striker Lewis Morgan came back with everything this year and leads the regular season scoring charts with six goals and an assist.
Dante Vanzeir, a striker signed in 2023, but who also suffered from injuries, in addition to a suspension due to an episode of racism, is also another who has stood out this season, with six assists and a goal – which guaranteed the victory by 2 – 1 over FC Cincinnati, away from home, in the team’s last match.
Relationship with the press
Sandro Schwarz today’s press conference (FC Cincinnati)
Sandro says Emil Forsberg will have a decisions made tomorrow if he will play or not against Cincy.#RBNY #RedRunsDeep pic.twitter.com/BNujU2x9TI
— Gustavo Guimarães (@GdeGustavo83) April 4, 2024
Another characteristic of Sandro Schwarz is his frankness in his relationship with the press. In addition to speaking openly about his game strategies in press conferences, Schwarz does not usually hide whether a particular player will play.
When asked about attacking midfielder Wiki Carmona against the Chicago Fire, the coach was sincere in saying that “he will start.”
This wasn’t the first time the New York Red Bulls coach wasn’t on the fence when asked about a player’s lineup, something that happened with striker Lewis Morgan, who wasn’t a starter in the competition’s opening against Nashville and came in during the game.
A week later, before the match against the Houston Dynamo, Sandro was categorical in confirming the use of Morgan from the start of the game in the press conference held before the match.
(Photos: New York Red Bulls)
