DAVENPORT, Fla. – The MLS season has always been a grind—hardly breaking news.
Between the inherently immense travel, extreme climates and physical nature of the league, players tend to break down over the course of the 34-game season. It’s often a shock to foreign players as they struggle to adapt to the unique challenges that the league presents. But for Red Bulls midfielder Felipe, it would appear he’s found the secret to longevity.
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Since joining the league in 2012, the Brazilian has never featured in less than 30 games in each season, a testament to his dependability over the years. In 2015, Felipe enjoyed perhaps his finest season to date after being reunited with head coach Jesse Marsch. Playing one of the most physically demanding positions in the middle of the park, Felipe started each of New York’s 34 regular season games as well as their four playoff encounters, the only field player to do so.
“He’s fit, he’s strong, he’s young, and he’s able to meet the demands of how we play and how we train,” Marsch explained. “He’s got so many good physical qualities, so many good soccer qualities. It’s been really fun. I first met him when he was 20-years-old and to see where he is now, he’s grown a lot and become a really good player.”
For Felipe, the consistency is no coincidence, but rather a product of years of trial and error. At just 25-years-old, Felipe has still had several seasons to hone in on just what works to get him in peak physical condition season after season.
“After nine preseasons, I’ve learned a lot about how to manage your body and how to stay healthy throughout the season,” Felipe told NewYorkRedBulls.com. “You just need to give your best every day. If you push yourself every day, you’re going to get better.”
Of course, having your name penciled into the starting XI week in and week out comes down to more than just avoiding the trainer’s room. Alongside midfielders Dax McCarty and Sacha Kljestan, the Red Bulls touted one the leagues most dynamic and dominating central midfield trios.
Pressing teams with relentless dedication while still possessing the ability to hit a 30-yard diagonal switch on the run is just part of what propelled New York to a second Supporters’ Shield triumph in three years. And Felipe’s versatility, coupled with his ability to adjust tactically, has made him an invaluable asset within the Red Bulls squad.
“Last year was a fantastic year for Felipe,” Marsch added. “He fit with what we’re trying to do here as a team and the team fit him. There was a lot of discussion last year when we started that I was thinking of using him a little bit deeper in the midfield and not so much as a number 10. But I think that with the way we play, it really suits him be able to be the guy who sees things a little bit deeper where he can close things down and cover ground.”
Over his four seasons in MLS, his best years have undoubtedly come under Marsch’s tutelage. Both in his inaugural campaign in 2012 and after being reunited with his former skipper in New York last season, Felipe showcased the kind of talent that has made him a regular starter within the team. For Felipe, the ability to perform at the highest level comes down to not only immense preparation required at the highest levels, but also the things that aren’t always immediately apparent.
“With me and the other guys, he makes us feel comfortable,” he said of Marsch. “He makes us feel home. He gives us the instructions to be better and to improve ourselves everyday. He knows how to manage all the guys on the team.”
As the calendar turns over to 2016, the Red Bulls will turn from the hunters to the hunted following a breakout year. Understandably, added pressure will be heaped onto the current squad as they look to replicate and build on last season’s success. And while Marsch insists that reinforcements are on the way, there’s no denying just how important the veteran core will continue to be.
“We stayed with the same formation and the same lineup the whole year last year, but I think this year is going to be different,” said Marsch. “We’re going to show more flexibility in terms of our tactics and formation. I think we’re going to demand more from a rotation and using more of our roster, and I think that’ll be a good thing for us.
“Each one of those players—Dax, Felipe and Sacha—they all have flexibility to their game, so we’ll be able to use them in different ways. For sure all three are going to play a big role this year.”
