Mike Petke has been replaced. Thierry Henry has retired. Though the former had the fans in open revolt, the latter has them asking how Bradley Wright-Phillips will score, and how the Red Bulls will win. And those questions have put a chip firmly on the team’s collective shoulders.
Wright-Phillips said those doubts are disrespectful, while new coach Jesse Marsch said they’re motivating a squad that is sans Henry for the first time since 2010.
“They’re excited about the new challenge. If you ask me are they motivated by the fact that everybody thinks they’re not going to be as good, you’re damn right they are. And they should be,’’ said Marsch, who replaced the popular Petke. “There’s a lot more talent here than people give credit for.’’
One big holdover piece of talent is Wright-Phillips, whose 27 goals last year matched the MLS single-season record. With Henry having assisted eight of those tallies, many have presumed the English striker will struggle and the team — which reached the Eastern Conference final last season — will stumble.
“It’s a little but disrespectful to the team,’’ said Wright-Phillips, second in MLS history in goals-per-90 minutes. “I haven’t played my whole career with Thierry Henry. I’ve scored goals in places, and I haven’t scored goals in places. It’s just how football goes. If I score more than I did last year, it’ll be down to the team and me, and if I don’t, it’ll be down to the team and I. It’s not one player.’’
After Petke’s firing touched off the #RedBullOut movement and forced a town hall meeting that got contentious and at times profane, now Marsch is retooling a team almost 2 ½ years younger than last season’s and $6 million cheaper. Here are some keys that may decide how that Moneyball youth movement works out:
Goals
Feed Wright-Phillips
He earned the Castrol Index Top MLS Player of the Year and a Designated Player contract, but with Henry gone, he has to stay healthy and the Red Bulls have to provide service. That’s why they made the deal with Montreal that brought in Felipe and let them pry Sacha Kljestan from Anderlecht.
“I’ve known from the beginning I wanted to equip him with the kind of midfield that can make him good,’’ Marsch said. “That’s what he needs: players around him that understand how he moves, how he makes himself available and get him the ball where he can work. That’s what we’ve done.’’
Dominate the midfield
After losing Henry, the Red Bulls needed creativity. With Felipe sitting deep next to Dax McCarty, they need Kljestan to bring the experience earned in those 15 Champions League games. In his three full seasons at Anderlecht, they averaged 2.3 goals scored and 2.2 points earned in the 75 league games he played, and just 1.5 and 1.6 in the 15 he didn’t.
“My goal is to lead this team to MLS Cup. My goal is to be one of the best midfielders in MLS,’’ Kljestan said. “I know I’m going to be an important part of this team. … I’m going to be more attacking-minded — that’s been made clear to me — which I welcome. I’ll be happy to be closer to goal, closer to Bradley Wright-Phillips to connect with him.’’
Fix the defense
No playoff team gave up more goals than the Red Bulls last year, who lost starting centerbacks Jamison Olave (trade) and Ibrahim Sekagya (retirement). If Ronald Zubar can’t replace Olave and they can’t find another reliable starter among journeyman Damien Perrinelle, inconsistent Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Canadian Karl Ouimette and teen Matt Miazga, watch out.
Style
The Red Bulls will use a 4-2-3-1 formation similar to last year’s, but different in execution. Marsch is preaching tempo, predictable considering their youth movement. The team that started last year’s playoff loss in New England saw all three key attackers 35 or older, with seven starters over 30 — and 30-year-old Roy Miller suspended. This year just four likely starters are 30, and none older than Perrinelle (31), who could be replaced by Miazga (19) or Jean-Baptiste (22).
Games to watch
at Sporting KC, March 8 (7 p.m. FS1)
Not just the season opener, but the start of an entirely new Red Bull era, for better or worse.
vs. D.C. United, March 22 (5 p.m., ESPN2)
Not just a home opener, but the first chance for the denizens of the South Ward to vent. Will more of it be directed at hated archrival United, or the front office?
at New England Revolution, May 2 (TBD)
The return to Gillette Stadium, the site where the Red Bulls’ playoff run — and Henry’s career — ended. With a full year of Jermaine Jones, the Revolution are a favorite to return to MLS Cup.
vs. New York City FC, May 10 (7 p.m., FS1)
The first installment of this cross-river rivalry promises to be intense. NYCFC’s Mix Diskerud already chimed in that he hates Red Bull, while Wright-Phillips replied to a NYCFC question with “Who?”
at NYCFC, June 28 (5 p.m., ESPN2)
In the rematch, the Red Bulls cross the Hudson to go to the Stadium — or as Diskerud called it, “the right side of the [river].’’ There’s some serious shade already being thrown.
vs. Toronto FC, Aug. 15 (7:30 p.m.)
It’s hard to imagine fans being jealous of a team that never has made the playoffs, but with ex-Red Bull Jozy Altidore open to a New York return but joining ex-MetroStar Michael Bradley at TFC, rest assured there will be plenty of envy.