PREVIEW – This Saturday, Chris Armas and Omir Fernandez will be taking on their former team, New York Red Bulls. Burgundy Wave reached out to the legendary supporter reporter Mark Fishkin for a Rapids RBNY preview. We ask five questions Pids fans want to know. Check out Mark’s work on Seeing Red.
RBNY have drawn four of their last five games. They’ve had some injuries. What’s not working right now? What can they improve on for Saturday?Â
Yes, missing Emil Forsberg has hurt the team’s attack, but the team played most of the last run of matches without leading scorer Lewis Morgan (9g/2a) and Carlos Coronel (4 CS), who were away with Scotland and Paraguay, respectively. The team did come back from two goals down on the road at Montreal for one of the draws, and came back twice to draw DCU at home. The biggest challenge for New York has been finishing. Neither DP forward Dante Vanzier (2g/6a but four assists in one match vs Miami) or Elias Manoel (5g) have been consistent this season.
Both teams will be missing an important midfielder. Djordje Mihailović has left for the Olympics. Frankie Amaya has been sold to Toluca. How has that changed the midfield? Who’s filling Amaya’s role?
New York got a reported $4 million from Toluca for former number one draft pick Amaya, who had leveled up in a big way over the last two seasons. While the Red Bulls intend on replacing Amaya with an acquisition during the summer transfer window, New York’s defense midfield on Saturday will likely consist of US U20 Captain Daniel Edelman and Malian teenager Ronald Donkor, who has started three of the Red Bulls’ last four matches.Â
Sandro Schwarz has changed things up tactically. This is a less Red Bullsy Red Bulls team from a pressing stand point. How’s that going? Are fans happy with the style of play and the results?Â
Schwarz’s tactical acumen has been massive step up in what we’ve seen from New York over the last few seasons. While the team isn’t pressing the full field for the entire match, under Schwarz the Red Bulls are much more comfortable with possession. Having a player like Emil Forsberg, so steeped in the Red Bull Way, in the team has been a big step up as well. Morgan’s return after missing just about all of 2023 has been like a new signing. After struggling to reach the playoffs the last few years, New York has been above the line all season long and is contending for a home playoff spot. That said, the team has played down to inferior opponents over the last month. Fans are antsy.Â
We have to talk about Chris Armas and Omir Fernandez. How do you and RBNY fans feel about Colorado’s success this year? Still mad at Armas for 2018 or are you happy for him? Were the fans upset to see Fernandez leave in free agency?Â
No disrespect, but considering the teams haven’t played in two years and haven’t visited DSG Park since 2018, I’m not sure that fans are thinking much about the Rapids. RBNY will never, ever forgive Armas for abandoning the press and sitting back during the first leg of the 2018 Eastern Conf Final at Atlanta, losing that match 3-0, and ruining the team’s best chance at finally winning an MLS Cup. I think RBNY in general were sad to see Fernandez go. He always gave his all, especially in Hudson Derby matches.Â
Lastly, got a prediction for us? Chris Armas Revenge Tour? Or is Emil Forsberg going to be healthy enough to sub in for 20 minutes and score a winner?
Forsberg will remain on the injured list through the start of Leagues Cup, so he won’t be a factor. Only two current players were around for Armas’ time in New York, Backup goalkeeper Ryan Meara, and right back Kyle Duncan, so any notion of “revenge” will be for the fans only. The Red Bulls will once again try for an early goal and make Colorado chase the game.
Saturday will be New York’s last Western Conference opponent for the season, and the next to last trip outside of the Eastern time zone in 2024. The match will hinge on New York’s ability to convert chances, which has been severely lacking over the current 1-0-4 stretch. Colorado’s home cooking serves the Rapids up a 2-1 victory.Â
Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken
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