How can a team, worth 300 million, not go out and find replacements for some of their best players of all time, almost immediately? Bradley Wright-Phillips leaving and you have no plan? Are you serious? That’s a joke. Go out and sign anyone. Literally anyone. A has been with a big name. A young guy with that can be boom or bust. Don’t just expect academy players will just become megastars in that 9 position.
Look I respect the Red Bulls, almost more than any team in the league. Thia Red Bulls team has only known not making the playoffs only 1 time, in 2009. Not only that, in the last 10 years, 5 first-place finishes in the East. FIVE! That in itself should be enough for fans to not sweat it when for the second year in a row, that 3rd DP slot is unsolved. But this year is different I think. I’m legitimately worried about RBNY’s playoff hopes.
Early round exit deemed successful?
The Good: Daniel Royer, Kaku, and that backline.
The Bad: Holy hell you cannot go up 3-1 in a playoff game before half-time and lose. Talk about inconsistency, I think RBNY was the most inconsistent team in the league. A very win-loss, win-loss, type of season. But credit to Armas for always sticking to his gameplan. Never going with a new system when sometimes it wouldn’t work.
RBNY’s Spongebob Gif
I don’t know if a team is more asleep at the wheel than NYRB. I feel like we’ve been seeing posts about how New York hasn’t been in a rush to go after another DP for the 10th consecutive season. As much as I liked Bradley Wright-Phillips, he was not getting any younger. And after a season with a bad injury, that should have been the spark for RBNY to go after a replacement for him.
So, what do I really think about NY? Like I mentioned, I’m worried for them. Teams in the east have lost talent but immediately turned around to get replacements. DC loses Rooney and Acosta, they go after Gressel and Flores. Chicago lost, really nothing, but they fill up their DP slots with a mix of Euro and South America players. Columbus loses Higuain and Trapp, they bring in Zelarayan and Nagbe.
They have got to start opening that checkbook if they even want to be considered to contend.
Offseason Moves
Really? Another loan for Sims, who I agree was a nice piece last season and a lot of unknowns? This isn’t a small-market team with no money to spend. This is NY! A concrete jungle where dreams are made of! The only thing you can’t do is go out and bring in USL talent. No offense, but if you want elite talent, that’ll attract crowds, bring in some names. Taylor Twellman says it best.
Maybe go and replace the 2 stud full-backs you
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qUHXTDWm10?start=2013]
Starting Lineup
Retaining Long was key last season in keeping a strong defensive duo with Parker. But guess what, he isn’t getting any younger, and he wants to play in Europe yesterday. I’m not sure he’ll be on the roster come September. So going out in the summer to find his replacement should be on somebody’s checklist. Again, also feel free to go after a number 9 too.
Betting Odds
I actually do think there is a lot of value here. While I don’t believe they’ll make the playoffs, there is no doubt they absolutely can. If this summer is when they start flexing that energy drink money and get themselves, dare I say, TWO DP’s! You’d be looking at a team that maybe makes a run in the playoffs. But realistically, nah.
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Predictions