Football Season Guide

New York Red Bulls finished the 2023 Regular Season where they always do, making the play-offs for a 14th consecutive year, but it was far from a "regular season" for them. Gerhard Struber began his third campaign in charge but was dismissed after winning just once in the first 11 MLS matches and leaving the Red Bulls bottom of the Eastern Conference. NYRB's biggest issue was putting the ball in the net - only three teams in the entire MLS scored fewer in the Regular Season. The man who was expected to be their goal-getter, Dante Vanzeir, was involved in an ugly racism incident which saw him banned for six games and it was a moment neither he nor Struber were able to recover from . The Austrian coach was criticised for not substituting Vanzeir after the incident and it led to a broken relationship with the fanbase. Rookie coach Troy Lesesne came in and brought some much-needed optimism, whilst also eventually achieving the objective of getting into the play-offs, albeit by the skin of their teeth with an injury-time penalty on Decision Day. The Red Bulls were beaten on penalties in MLS Cup, US Open Cup and Leagues Cup in an unlucky end to the season. The club were ruthless in their decision not to retain Lesesne and have instead opted for a more experienced coach from Europe in Sandro Schwarz who has managed in the Bundesliga. The big new signing has been talented Swedish playmaker Emil Forsberg who is still in the prime of his career at 32 years old and will be the chief chance-creator. Whether the Red Bulls have a pure Number 9 to finish those opportunities is questionable. Vanzeir has been granted a second chance, but will have to hit the ground running. Club captain Lewis Morgan was the team's leading scorer in 2022, but missed the majority of last season. Keeping him fit will be a priority. The defence was NYRB's strong point last season and they've managed to hold it together, whilst adding 6ft 5 Swedish centre-back Noah Eile.