MLS Multiplex
Fansided

New York Red Bulls 2015 Season Review

By Zach Lahey

Oct 25, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; The New York Red Bulls react after the game at Toyota Park. New York Red Bulls defeat the Chicago Fire 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; The New York Red Bulls react after the game at Toyota Park. New York Red Bulls defeat the Chicago Fire 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The New York Red Bulls were defeated by the Columbus Crew in the 2015 Eastern Conference Finals. From the town hall meeting in January to winning the Supporters Shield for the second time in three years, the Red Bulls enjoyed a successful season.

They finished with the most wins in franchise history (18), the most home wins in a season (12), and 62 goals scored, the most in Red Bull history. There were many positives to take away from the 2016 season. Here, we shall have a look at how the season unfolded and what we can take away from it.

First, on December 23, 2014 the New York Red Bulls named Ali Curtis their new sporting director. The very next day he fired head coach, Mike Petke. Petke was a club legend and highly liked around the organization. Many fans were angered by this transaction and showed their frustration via social media.

After a couple weeks, Curtis appointed Jesse Marsch the new head coach. Curtis then authorized a town hall meeting to be held in January so dedicated season ticket holders could come and voice their opinions.

During that town hall meeting, many fans were unpleasant and frustrated to what Curtis did. Curtis and Marsch needed to earn the respect of the fans. From what the team accomplished this season, Marsch and company did just that.

More from MLS Multiplex

Nov 1, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; New York Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch looks on against the D.C. United during the first half at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; New York Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch looks on against the D.C. United during the first half at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Marsch was named the MLS Coach of the Year and led the team to one of their brightest seasons ever despite the negativity going into the season on the back of Petke’s firing.

Strengths of The Red Bulls

The Center Midfield

In the central midfield, the team had three talented players in Sacha Kljestan, Felipe Martins, and Dax McCarty. In February, Marsch traded Eric Alexander and Ambroise Oyongo to the Montreal Impact for Felipe Martins and the top allocation spot.

At the time, New York Red Bull fans would question this trade, but after the conclusion of the season it was the best transaction of the year.

With that trade, the Red Bulls acquired Felipe Martins and Sacha Kljestan. Felipe had three goals and tallied five assists, but was a great possessive midfielder down the stretch. Kljestan had eight goals and fourteen assists and was the central playmaker for the team. The most important key for the midfield though was the leadership of Dax McCarty.

McCarty, a ten year veteran, had his best year since being drafted in 2006. He was named to the MLS Best XI and was the captain of the squad. Without McCarty’s leadership on and off the field, the team would not have faired as well.

The Goalkeeper of the Year

Luis Robles was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year for his terrific season in the net. He constantly kept the Red Bulls in games over the course of the year and without him the Red Bulls defense would have been in trouble.

Weaknesses of New York

Depth on the Bench

I attended many home games this season and the only thing I was unhappy with was the quality of the bench. Yes, players like Sean Davis and Gonzalo Veron will have amazing MLS careers and be great players in 2016 for the Red Bulls. On the other hand however, the Red Bulls need more than just two players to call on from the bench. They need some defensive support off the bench in order to have a great season.

Next: No Hawaii game for the USWNT after all

Final Thoughts

Jesse Marsch has turned this team away from the mentality of it being about one player and into an organization that is a family- oriented and all about doing it together as a team. And as a fellow fan, I was extremely pleased with the season they managed to have.

This New York Red Bulls team will surely have loads of success in 2016 and beyond.

2015 Grade: A

2016 Needs: Ali Curtis and the Red Bulls need to look to strengthen their bench for next season. They need a high quality striker to back up BWP and also more pressingly need defensive support.

I personally would be happy if they grabbed Walker Zimmerman in the Re-Entry draft on Friday.

Home/MLS News