After a tumultuous offseason that saw captain Thierry Henry retire and popular coach Mike Petke fired, the Red Bulls aren’t just kicking off a new season Sunday at Sporting KC (7 p.m., FS1), but a whole new era.
Designated Players Henry and Tim Cahill are gone, along with about $7 million in salary. But this cheaper, younger — and presumably scrappier — Moneyball version takes the field out to prove it can win without star power. If they can’t their fan revolt and #RedBullOut movement may get even louder.
“The Thierry Henry part, its normal. I’m not threatened by it. I don’t think anybody is. He was a great asset to this club for four years, but now there’s a new phase, and the new phase is not about Thierry Henry,’’ new coach Jesse Marsch said. “It’s not disrespectful to him, but it not about him. It’s about the group committing to the new project and committing to each other.’’
If the Red Bulls are looking for an example of what they hope to become — building from within the academy and the draft, develop their way to contention rather than buy their way, pressure foes out of their comfort zones — they need look no further than the other sideline.
Sporting KC may be shy of big-named European stars, but the return of Honduran international Roger Espinoza to go with striker Dom Dwyer (22 goals,), Benny Feilhaber and Graham Zusi make for a potent opening-day test.
The biggest things to watch are how the Red Bulls’ questionable back line holds up against one of MLS’ better attacks, and can they find service for Bradley Wright-Phillips. The English striker had a MLS-record tying 27 goals last year, but newcomer Sacha Kljestan will have to facilitate in the Red Bulls’ 4-2-3-1 with Henry gone.
“For me personally, my goal is to lead this team to MLS Cup,’’ Kljestan said. “My goal is to be one of the best midfielders in MLS.’’
The Red Bulls brought back fan favorite Dane Richards and waived Armando.