New York Red Bulls: Kyle Duncan injury raises major questions

The New York Red Bulls were down to 10 men in Saturday’s loss to Orlando due to the Kyle Duncan injury. Well, they will be without him for presumably much longer because the defender has torn his ACL. His absence raises major questions.

The New York Red Bulls’ dropped points to Orlando City was not the only loss they suffered on Saturday. Former Red Bulls academy standout Kyle Duncan suffered a knee injury that will require surgery. There is no official timetable for Duncan’s return, but given that he has torn his ACL, it is fair to assume that his season, at least for the most part, is finished.

The Red Bulls’ defensive depth takes a huge hit now. Between still being alive in the CCL and the World Cup upcoming, the Red Bulls must now figure out what to do to bolster a defense that has lost one of its key rotational players.

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There are rumors circulating about a signing in Harrison. Matthew Olosunde might be coming over on a loan from Manchester United. The deal makes sense for both sides. He is only stagnating at United, unable to ever force his way into regular minutes, while RBNY are in desperate need of another body. That rumor needs to come to fruition now. The Red Bulls have a great need for talent on the right side.

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The Red Bulls need to be aware that the injury is likely long-term. After the defense made several blunders against Orlando Cit, Duncan not being out there gives the other players a chance to shine. The Red Bulls are one of the deepest teams in the league. They need to prove it.

RBNY’s defense has been otherwise nearly flawless this season. Multiple clean sheets and one goal losses had Jesse Marsch speaking highly of this unit just a few weekends ago:

"“You start to feel like our defensive group is the best we’ve ever had, and if we can get that piece right, then I think this team will always be dangerous.”"

Duncan was part of that group Marsch was referencing.

And while Marsh was busy praising the defense collectively, Luis Robles made special mention of young Duncan:

"“[Kyle] has shown his value right off the bat, and we knew that especially dealing with the international absences … that we are going to have to deal with rotation,” Luis Robles said. “To have a guy like Duncan that came through the academy, has a lot of football in him, to step up the way he has amazing.”"

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Now, the Red Bulls are being tested. If they can overcome this ill-timed injury, then their claim to CCL and MLS success will only become more credible. The New York Red Bulls have a chance to sink or swim now. Can they still prove to be an elite soccer club?