As the season is getting on there is no shortage of challenges for this young Rd Bulls side as they will face the majority of their regular-season schedule against the Eastern Conference. Up and down the East Coast with trips to Ohio & Illinois, the Red Bulls are going to get severely challenged as they will face stiff competition in the 2021 season.
But as we all know that challenge on the backline will not feature Center back Aaron Long as he is done for the rest of the season with that surgically repaired Ruptured Achilles tendon that he suffered in the last match at the Philadelphia Union. With no Long and no Amro Tarek right now due to injury, the Backline will have Andreas Reyes to sub in for Long, but it’s still tough not to have him out there to play with.
“It’s a very tough loss for us, he’s a very prominent player for us, he’s also a prominent player for the US National Team as well. We all know we have to step up more, we need to give a little more.” said sean Nealis, “Personally I’m gutted by it, I loved playing with him, loved learning from him the last few years.
“He’s got an amazing story, I only wish him the best for his recovery for him and we want to help with anything we can, but right now we have to focus on New England and do our best.”
This will be a difficult matchup for the Red Bulls as the Revolution is being managed by Bruce Arena and we all know how tactical and demanding Bruce Arena can be. A decorated manager with several MLS Cups, US Open Cup, Inter America Cup nad as manager of the US Men’s National Team, Bruce Arena has shown why he continues to get jobs in MLS and spending two stints during international play. Gerhard Struber is going to have his hands full to face and try to outwit Arena in the technical area.
“I have big respect for his experience and for the many trophies that he has won, it’s a very successful coach and I had the chance to watch the game at Philadelphia with my entire coaching staff.” said Struber, “I think the team has grown up as I looked at them last year, I think they play more physical and plenty of long balls.
“They are playing on the ground while controlling the ball. They can move the ball strong, they have some key players, as it will be an absolute challenge, to face an opponent like them at this level. I think we have the right game plan for this match and the right attitude. We will bring a very good performance from us with high intensity, we will see how the Revolution will handle our style of play.”
While the Revolution have played strong as a unit, their top players in Carles Gil & Gustavo Boe put them into a higher level of danger. These are the players that the backline must be careful of when these two players have the ball, and they can find a way to punch it into the back of the net.
“There’s a lot of great strikers in this league, weak in, and week out we have to be ready. We have watched a lot of film to prepare ourselves to be ready, we know that Bruce Arena will have them prepared and ready to go. We will be ready to face them and give it our best.” said Sean Nealis.
As always Gillette Stadium has been a house of horrors for the Red Bulls for a very long time. Even during the Jesse Marsch era where the Red Bulls have had some success, it’s still a tough place to play for the Red Bulls especially the field turf that they need to battle through ninety minutes, but maybe Struber might have something up his sleeve to get the full three points.