After what has largely been a miserable season, the New York Red Bulls have finally pieced together back-to-back wins. And those victories — over Inter Miami CF and the Montreal Impact — were by matching 4-1 scorelines.
So have the Red Bulls, with three wins in their last four, finally turned the corner?
It’s too early for that kind of talk, says interim coach Bradley Carnell.
“No, I mean turning the corner is really going on a big run of five, six, seven, eight games,” Carnell said Sunday night on a video conference call. “We would like to get that going, but it’s a mindset. We have a young group of guys and not that anyone is drifting away in the clouds just yet. They know what a couple of months it’s been, it’s been really frustrating … we’re just trying to keep everyone grounded and enjoying the moment.
“This game goes around quickly, in terms of the cycle of where you are one day and where you are the next day. There’s a lot of work to do and I think the guys are training in the right way and the energy of the guys is extraordinary.”
A sign of the possible changing times came early Sunday night when Bojan put Thierry Henry’s side in front on a fourth-minute cracker. A goal of similar brilliance was conceded late in the first half three weeks ago.
But on that night, Brenden Aaronson’s golazo was followed by two more second half tallies as the Philadelphia Union enjoyed their most lopsided win at Red Bull Arena with a 3-0 victory.
Brenden Aaronson goal vs. New York Red Bulls
“The mentality is a big part of it. I think the mind games in professional sports is the biggest contributor,” Carnell said. “If we get that right, I think there’s a lot of positives to fall after that, the dominoes will fall as they may. I’m really excited with the response from the guys and we’ve seen it in training — the alertness, the attentiveness to video sessions and just taking small little details to heart and taking nothing personal.”
On Sunday, that response against an exhausted Montreal side included a brace by Tom Barlow, who in many ways embodies what Carnell is talking about. He’s put in the extra work in training and was among the leaders in MLS in shots on target per 90 minutes. But he didn’t get that reward until Sunday with his first two goals of the season.
Tom Barlow scores his second goal against Montreal Impact
“It was tough for a while. I felt like I was getting into some good positions. It just wasn’t falling,” Barlow said. “I’m lucky my coaches and teammates keep encouraging me and telling me if I’m getting into the right spots, they’ll eventually fall. I’m happy they were able to come tonight and we were able to get the three points.”
So are the Red Bulls back? A good litmus test will come next Saturday against surging Orlando City SC on the road.
“We’re a team used to being aggressive and being dangerous and sometimes you have games when things don’t go your way and there’s only one way to change them and that’s hard work and mentality,” Danny Royer said. “We always have that in our team. Sometimes it goes quicker and sometimes it takes longer. Over the past few games, that’s looked very good from each and everyone — working hard, having fun on the field, creating and playing brave. I hope we turned [the page] but tough weeks are coming up.”
