Projected XI for New York Red Bulls
By Zach Lahey
The New York Red Bulls will start their 21st season in club history on Sunday against Toronto F.C. Head Coach Jesse Marsch has many options to put on the field against a great Toronto squad. The question is who will he play? Here is the projected starting eleven for Sunday.
GK: Luis Robles
This is a no-brainer. Robles has proven he is the starting goalkeeper for this organization. It will be exciting to see if Ryan Meara gets any time in MLS regular season action, but for now Robles is Marsch’s best option.
RB: Sal Zizzo
I know most people will have Chris Duvall as the starting right back for Sunday but I disagree. Zizzo is a great versatile player and has had another great preseason camp. Why not start Zizzo on Sunday? Duvall is coming off a very serious injury and may not be at 100% for Sunday. Marsch should give Zizzo the nod against Toronto.
CB: Gideon Baah
The newly acquired center back will not waste any time making an impact for the Red Bulls. Replacing Matt Miazga will not be easy but Baah will give it his all. Spending a short amount of time in camp, Baah has already made an impact.
CB: Ronald Zubar
I would prefer Perrinelle at center back over Zubar but Marsch has no other choice. Perrinelle is still recovering from a knee injury and Zubar is the next best option. Look for Marsch to partner up Baah and Zubar for opening day.
LB: Kemar Lawrence
Are you shocked? Lawrence had an amazing 2015 season and will look to continue that success this season. With him, being the only real option at left back, this is a no-brainer.
LM: Mike Grella
Gonzalo Veron is out for about four weeks and will miss the season opener. Grella will fill his spot on Sunday. Grella had a fantastic 2015 campaign, making an immediate impact from the beginning of the season.
CDM: Dax McCarty
The captain is starting his 11th season in Major League Soccer. He will lead the midfield on Sunday and play like the general he is.
CDM: Felipe Martins
Marsch will play him with McCarty for the second straight season. On Sunday, fans will witness most likely the best center midfield pairing in MLS.
CAM: Sacha Kljestan
Kljestan will start his 2nd season with the New York Red Bulls on Sunday and will play in front of McCarty & Felipe. If another player would start here, it would be Sean Davis.
RM: Lloyd Sam
Another starting spot for Lloyd Sam. Sam is the tricky, speedster winger every coach wishes he had. Sam will provide the same offensive boost he had in 2015 on Sunday.
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ST: Bradley Wright Phillips
Another season of BWP, the goal scoring machine. Wright- Phillips will need to provide that scoring boost on Sunday if the Red Bulls have any hope of beating Toronto.
Marsch has many tough decision to make for Sunday but, most likely he will put a very similar lineup to the one he used in 2015.