ORLANDO, Fla.– Not too long ago, the idea of a youth-driven Red Bulls side seemed a foreign concept. As recent as the Hans Backe era (2010-2012), proven veterans would more often than not get the nod over a young, up and coming prospect. Academy products and SuperDraft selections alike would often give way to their more seasoned counterparts, resigned to a spot on the bench.
Suffice to say, things have changed a bit.
This past offseason, the Red Bulls focused on youth in a big way, as Sporting Director Ali Curtis signed seven homegrown academy products to the first team (Tyler Adams, Brandon Allen, Derrick Etienne, Alex Muyl, Chris Thorsheim, Mael Corboz, and Scott Thomsen). Given New York’s well-established tactical set-up, the rookies will have plenty of work to do in order to catch up with their veteran counterparts.
It’s certainly a big ask for the new group, and one that the RBNY coaching staff has acknowledged will take some time.
“We play fast, we ask them to think fast, so I think they’ve been shocked a little bit,” assistant coach Chris Armas told NewYorkRedBulls.com. “Because we have such a unique playing style, there’s going to be a little learning curve for the new guys. But it’s been great to see the talent in the young players that we have.”
The homegrowns have already been thrown to the deep end. Almost universally, the step-up in quality has become immediately apparent, as the physical demands of MLS play have forced the younger players into some tough situations.
“The speed of play I think is the biggest adjustment,” Adams admitted. “Playing around guys that maybe aren’t used to that speed makes it a little bit slower down at the USL level. But making the step up, the pressure is a lot higher so the amount of time you have to play [on the ball] is a lot shorter.”
While they likely won’t be looking at first team minutes from day one, head coach Jesse Marsch will undoubtedly call on these young players to contribute first team minutes over the course of a fixture-heavy season that sees the squad competing on three separate fronts.
“They’ve got to catch on quick,” veteran Sacha Kljestan admitted. “It’s a lot of work, but we’re guys that they can ask questions of and give advice on and off the field. We want to see them succeed, especially the Academy guys coming up. We have a lot of faith in them.
“We have a lot of games coming up this season. They’re probably going to play some big minutes for the team, so the sooner we can get them up to speed it will be good.”
For Allen, the striker will be afforded some extra counsel on his journey to the first team. The Georgetown product already has some family ties to not only MLS, but also the New York area, as older brother R.J. begins his second year with NYCFC.
“We’ve talked a little bit,” he said. “He told me that it’s going to be a little bit faster. You just have to keep up and learn from the older guys.
“I’m enjoying the company. The players are great, the coaching staff is amazing here, so I’m enjoying the first part of preseason.”
The adjustment process may be arduous, but it would appear these newcomers are up for the challenge. Coming up through the prestigious Red Bull Academy system has served RBNY players past and present quite well and there seems to be no signs of slowing with this current slew of young stars. And that’s the beauty of the process: the realization of a dream is right there in front of you; you just have to go out and grab it.
“That was always the goal,” Adams said of making the jump to MLS. “With players like Matt Miazga who was signed before me and Connor Lade, I always looked up to them in that sense. Now with even more players being signed, I think it’s so cool. It gives inspiration for the younger players that are still in the academy.”
Each homegrown has their own story and will look to carve out their own path, and it all starts right here in Florida as their first preseason ramps up. It can be easy to flounder in these sink-or-swim scenarios, but the mentality amongst even the youngest of homegrowns is a rock solid start to a promising career.
“I just want to go with Jesse’s style of play and impress them,” Adams added. “For myself, I just need to complete passes; all the simple things. I’m looking forward to it.”
