Kevin Thelwell’s (Head of Sport) vision for the New York is to eventually get the Red Bulls back to “a top-four club in the league”. While running out a team into a season with an average age of 23.06 is the best formula for success in the short term, it is for the long term.
But Red Bull needed to reinforce this roster this winter transfer window as key players left the club in January. Club captain Sean Davis left as a free agent to Nashville, fan-favorite Daniel Royer was not resigned, starting RB Kyle Duncan left on a free transfer to Belgium, LB Andrew Gutman went back to his parent club Atlanta, and Fabio & Youba Diarra options to buy were not picked.
Making upgrades in the attacking third and depth across the field was the main priority for Thelwell, Denis Hamlett (Sporting Director) & Gerhard Struber (Head Coach) this offseason & they made some significant signings.
The first being trading $1.2 million in GAM (General Allocation Money) to Inter Miami for RW Lewis Morgan. Morgan, who will play as an inverted winger on the RW as a left-footed player, played mostly out of position last season for Miami at RWB providing 2G, 2A, but in his first season in 19’-20’, Morgan produced 5G, 5A in just 20GP.
Thelwell praised Morgan and what Red Bull was adding with him this season. “We are delighted to add Lewis as an attacking option. He brings a wealth of experience from Europe and in MLS the past two seasons. We hope that his experience will provide an immediate impact to our group”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B04tlh6j-xU
Playing opposite of Morgan on at LW, Red Bulls made their biggest splash off the off-season, signing Lucas Lima Linhares aka Luquinhas for a reported fee of $3.6 million from Legia Warsaw in Poland. Luquinhas is the biggest midfield signing since Alejandro Gamarra aka Kaku.
The 20’-21’ Ekstraklasa “Midfielder of the Season” will have his fingers intertwined in a lot of the offense and that is the type of player Red Bull has been missing in the attacking third since Kaku left after the 2020 season. In 110 GP in Poland, Luquinhas put up 12G, including two in Champions League Qualifiers, and 18A.
Thelwell on the Luquinhas signing, “We made it a priority to add a dynamic offensive player this offseason and he fits the bill. His extensive experience, especially at the Champions League level, will be beneficial to our young roster.”
Struber echoed Thelwell’s comments, “His ability to turn under pressure with his back to goal to create half-spaces and driving into space and drawing defenders in to create chances for himself or teammates will be helpful for our team moving forward.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtzUP3N2ZBM
With these two signings on the wings, the biggest winner of the offseason must be ST Patryk Klimala. Klimala was signed late in the in the winter transfer window last season, missing training camp & the first four games of the season.
Klimala didn’t get his first start until game seven against Orlando & in 29 GP put up 8G & 6A. You add that Klimala is now settled in NY, had a full offseason to recover, was able to participate in training camp & now has two wingers that can get him the ball in the box; expect breakout season from the former Polish youth national.
Red Bull once everyone is available should have decent depth in the attacking third but the one position the ignored you can say is a backup behind Klimala. Hamlett was able to sign Zach Ryan out of Stanford as a Homegrown signing.
Ryan, born in Chatham NJ, was a goal machine in his four years in collegiate soccer. In 73 appearances, 67 starts Ryan bagged 31 goals while also providing 13 helpers. “His ability to score at the academy and collegiate level has been impressive. We hope to see him build upon those successes in the preseason and gain good experience with us and Red Bulls II,” said coach Struber.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOge1DN6Gt8&t=146s
Ryan is a good addition for the future, but Red Bull had a problem putting the ball in the back of the net when it wasn’t Klimala of the departed Fabio. Tom Barlow is “ok” as the backup 9, but Red Bull needs a striker that’s not only going to provide a spark off the bench but also push Klimala in training, making him a better player in the process.
Along with Ryan, the Red Bulls signed not one, not two, but three more Homegrown players this offseason; 18 Y/O Daniel Edelman from Warren NJ, 21 Y/O Jake LaCava (now on loan with Tampa Bay) from New Milford CT & 16 Y/O Serge Ngoma from North Plainfield NJ.
Onto the midfield where the average age of the group dropped from 21.29 Y/O to a VERY young 19.67 Y/O. Only Dru Yearwood& Frankie Amaya are over the age of 20.
For a team that lost Sean Davis, it’s club captain and most experienced player, you would expect them to bring a veteran type of player to help the kids in midfield. But, at this current juncture they have yet to do so.
As signings go, Red Bull “technically” signed two senior players in Caden Clark & Jesus Castellano. Clark, who was officially signed for RB Leipzig in Germany, has returned to NY on a season loan, while Castellano contract with NY is set to begin March 22nd as the Venezuelan signed a one-year deal with three option years included.
Thelwell was excited to capture Castellano’s signature and sees him as a ‘’big picture” addition, “He’s a versatile offensive midfielder with sound technical abilities and a creative mind. We look forward to his continued development within our environment."
For Clark, he will compete for a starting job at the “10” for NY with Luquinhas most likely set to occupy the LW.
Finally at the back for Red Bull they made minimal additions, only bringing back Tom Edwards on a season-long loan while acquiring the younger brother of Sean Nealis, Dylan who will provide depth at RB.
But the biggest addition to the backline for Red Bull was not a signing but the return of Aaron Long from a ruptured Achilles he suffered against Philadelphia back in May.
It’s a much-needed sight as it was a 1 for one swap on the injury list with starting CB Andres Reyes going down in preseason with a Jones fracture (foot) and will be sidelined for four-six months.
With the Reyes injury, Red Bull is now down to only three natural CBs on the senior roster, which could lead to so significant playing time for 1st round pick Matthew Nocita, who was drafted out of the United States Naval Academy with the 7th overall pick.
The 6’8 CB, is a three-time Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year but of course, he does need to be released by the Navy to be able to sign a deal with Red Bull once he graduates from the academy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReysxVNZf7I&feature=youtu.be
All in all, this was one of the most important transfer windows in recent history for NY, and they added pieces they desperately needed in the attacking third. But it was not a perfect window, as they lack depth in major positions of LB (only John Tolkin), CB (three senior CB’s), defensive midfield and at ST. Check out this potential XI that Gerhard Struber could run out once the full roster is available for selection;
You add to the fact that Red Bull only have 6 players over the age of 25, NY could be lacking veteran leadership. Could that change with certain young players stepping up? Of course.
But at this moment in time, Red Bull could be too young heading into an MLS season and that could come back to bit them, if they end up struggling in stretches or even miss the playoffs this season.
The future looks extremely bright with 20+ players under the age of 25 & NINE player u20 that are/will be signed to first-team deals. But have Thelwell & Hamlett helped this team enough to be competitive this season? Maye, but it’s possible they haven’t.
The time for building this team is done until we hit July, now it’s up to the 11 players & Struber to make this a competitive team, game in and game out! #NYisRED
