New York Red Bulls: Alex Muyl Shines in The Face of Criticism

If there is one player on the New York Red Bulls that receives consistent slack, it is Alex Muyl. On Saturday he hushed the naysayers and proved his quality

Alex Muyl busted on the scene on a historic day in New York Red Bulls history. The then-20-year-old scored his first goal en route to a 7-0 win for the New York Red Bulls against their newest rival NYCFC. It was a momentous occasion for Alex Muyl, the club and supporters alike.

At that moment, Alex Muyl became another talented Red Bull academy product primed for greatness with the first team.

Two years later and Alex Muyl is a regular starter, but is in a constant struggle to make the next big leap in his career. The perceived nature of Muyl’s game so far has been to run hard, pressure and do the “little things”. Those little things don’t show up in the stat sheet, but are integral to what Jesse Marsch wants from his team. The problem for Alex Muyl is the end-product, the tangible stats to back up his talent.

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Whether or not the production has been there it doesn’t tell the whole story. At 22 years old, Muyl’s play is subjected to criticism win or lose, good game or bad game. He is the most controversial figure on the team in actuality. His play has either won him loyal supporters or haters all within his team’s own fanbase.

He’s known for his tenacity and defensive prowess high up on the field in Marsch’s high octane system. But ultimately that consistent talking point is exhausting hearing over and over again, because he is much more of a player than that.

One Goal & One Assist

And on Saturday night against Minnesota United, Muyl responded to the on-going discussions of his play. Muyl took on mutiple defenders cutting on to his left foot and rocketing a low shot into the side netting past Matthew Lampson. In the second half Muyl delivered an inch-percect 30 yard through ball to find Bradley Wright-Phillips in stride for the third goal of the game.

But what stuck out to me above all wasn’t his impressive play, but his reaction to his first goal of the season. His goal celebration tells it all. Signaling to the Red Bull Arena crowd, Muyl made clear he can hear the Red Bull Arena crowd that has been known to give him grief. From my interpretation, he then motioned to the crowd to keep talking.

Alex Muyl’s play over the coming weeks and months could have an impact on his minutes later down the line with an influx of attackers and midfielders in the team. Yet, fan or pundit criticisms don’t control his minutes, Jesse Marsch does. And its clear he has faith in the local kid. Here’s what he had to say:

"Everyone respects Alex so much for all the hard work he puts in and what an intelligent player he is and he’s one of the best tactical players we have. He’s hard on himself that he doesn’t put together enough final plays and I keep saying to him, relax. That part comes and I’ve seen him enough in training and watched him enough over the last few years to know that he has quality.For him, it’s a lot about some confidence and belief in himself and slowing himself down to make some of those plays. Yeah, a very good goal and a very, very good assist. So you know, if Alex can continue to put that piece together, then he can become a real complete player, which in many ways he already is."

There’s just that bit of hesitation and over-thinking that is sporadically evident. And those moments over-shadow his toughness, footwork in tight spaces, skill on the ball, plus all the “little things” he does.

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I think all  New York Red Bulls fans appreciated the Alex Muyl they saw against Minnesota. Could this be the next big leap for Alex Muyl? That’s left to be seen, but I’d just say, keep that same energy exemplified after that stellar goal and keep it pushing for the rest of 2018, Alex.