After training at Red Bulls Training Facility in Whippany, New Jersey on Thursday, head coach Sandro Schwarz and midfielder Daniel Edelman spoke with the media prior to Saturday’s MLS regular season match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
News and Notes
• The Red Bulls are currently on a six-match home unbeaten streak across all competitions and are on a five-match unbeaten streak in league play.
• Midfielder Emil Forsberg scored the second goal of the season on Saturday against LAFC. He has recorded two goals and two assists in his last five MLS matches.
• New York have only surrender one goal at home this season, which is the lowest in MLS this season.
New York Red Bulls Head Coach Sandro Schwarz
On the match against Vancouver…
So, yeah, it is a tough opponent, good quality in their roster. Most of the time, they have played in their last games in a 3-4-3 and they have also typical structure in their build up positions so, very good team, very strong team also and so it is a good opportunity for us to show our quality against a top team.
On being frustrated from the last match…
We analyze the whole and also, we analyze the last minutes of the game that we lost these two points and especially the situation what we can improve in our defending that we do not stay too deep in such moments especially in the second half in some moments that we have the chance to score the second goal and maybe then the third goal. I think this is what we have to improve in our development, our way how we want to play, but on the other side, we are very satisfied with the performance we showed in LAFC and in our home games. That gives us confidence, how we want to play and so is necessary then for next Saturday against Vancouver.
New York Red Bulls Midfielder Daniel Edelman
On wins turning into late draws…
It was like a knife to the heart honestly. Not being able to come away with three points in that game. You work so hard on an amazing LAFC side, away in that environment, which was new to a bunch of the players. I think, for us to be in a game like that again, against such a good side, we did an amazing job but just didn't close out the match to get the needed three points. I think we must take that performance and focus on how we can be locked in and not give up set pieces. I think that's something that we're continuing to work on in training and focusing on getting three points this weekend.
On leaving points on the table…
Yeah, we had to take all the positives that we did in that LAFC game because there were a lot of good things that we did. I think we had them on the ropes most of the game and you can see that in our style of play, and we're just continuing to grow and improve, and the chemistry is getting better. And I think this weekend with Vancouver it's just all about locking in and really focusing in on those moments and even practicing them on the training ground so that those sorts of moments that when they do happen, because they're going to happen that's the game that we just don't allow to give up chances. And I think Coach also talked about just being able to kill teams with one goal, 1-0, it's like how we can go up to 3-0 and not even give them a sliver of hope or chance to get back in the game and just settle calm. We have so many guys on the team who can finish and are so good and the attacking half and that's something that we'll continue to work on and continue to provide on the field.
On being a constant starter …
Yeah, it's a great feeling. I think where I started back in 2020 to 2021 with the second team and where I am right now, I think I've made a lot of strides in my development. I'm super happy to be on this team and be a guy who has a lot of responsibility in the middle of the park and making sure everyone else is doing their job being the young player that I am. I want to keep improving and keep trying to elevate my game and make everyone around the team better.