I guess I’ll start a thread. Everyone’s wish finally came true. Klimala is officially gone. I suppose that means we’re bringing in that Belgian player Vanzeir. We resigned Manoel officially and brought in Corey Burke. We also lost Long in free agency, resigned Duncan and signed a few home grown players. I do think if our changes up front work out, we should be a better team and that’s easily a playoff squad but not a cup contender. Not yet at least. It feels like we took one step forward when we needed three.
Yeah, I'm thrilled to see the back of Klimala... what a complete waste of time and money. The new Belgian striker I honestly have zero idea about but it's hard to imagine he could be worse. For some reason we've been able to develop/acquire/maintain pretty good quality in our back line, so I sure hope that continues. As I said in the other thread, I have an inkling that Aaron Long might've reached his ceiling, in which case I might not mind him moving on. Last thought is about Struber. I guess he and the club decided to continue his project, which didn't seem to be a given last December. I'm not too disappointed I guess. I like him but I also have my doubts about his ceiling. Our league standing was quite good (4th in the East, tied 7th overall) but his ability to coach playoff games/ties seems questionable.
If we can make a move in the summer for a legit center back or can develop a really good backup, I’d feel a lot better about things. I’m not concerned about our midfield or wings at all. I think we might be deepest in MLS. Maybe not individual talent like a LAFC or Seattle, but quality players in Luquinhas, Morgan, Fernandez, Edelman, and Caceres. If new Belgian guy can bag goals in MLS like he has in Jupiter League (He has 10 this season) then I think we take a step forward offensively. It’s that backline I’m worried about. I have mixed reviews on Klimala. I thought he worked pretty hard in games and started off last year looking great. He got squeezed out and he faded hard. Good luck to him in Israel!
So here's an elephant in the room... Apple TV+ I just saw an email from MLS announcing that their season pass is available as of today on Apple TV/+. I don't know about you folks but I've avoided subscribing to AppleTV, except to watch Ted Lasso for a month. From what I can tell it's $12.99/mo or $79/yr for AppleTV+ streaming. I'm REALLY not liking the idea of being forced to add YASS to my life... yet another streaming service! My CATV/streaming costs have gotten out of control. Q: Will there be virtually no other way to watch NYRB matches on the screen without AppleTV? MSG coverage has officially gone the way of the dodo bird? I know that FOX & Telemundo(?) are supposedly airing a relative handful of league matches during the season, but I'm in the habit of watching basically every NYRB match and those channels definitely ain't gonna be showing that. Q: Is there any clever way of getting AppleTV for cheaper than the above prices? Especially if all you really need it for is MLS? I'm assuming the answers are no and no. But I figured I'd ask anyway.
I JUST purchased MLS Pass for $99. Worth it. 34 week season. Less than $3 a week for 12-15 games per week? Boom. As for coverage of my beloved Red Bulls, I’ll miss MSG pregame coverage and Shep and Cangialosi calling games EXCLUSIVELY for RBNY. No doubt. But both are part of the Apple team at least and cangialosi is calling the March 18th Red Bulls game vs Columbus.
Yeah I think there's gonna be a lot of coverage we'll miss post-MSG (pre/post-game/insider/other shows). Not to mention having the same commentators for all game home and away. I wonder what are the chances of Steve & Shep calling most NYRB games?? Also you paid $99. Did you see the same $79 offer for Apple TV+ that I read about? And are MLS matches included in whatever AppleTV package one buys or do you have to buy an MLS-specific package??
I paid $99 because I don’t have an Apple+ subscription. It’s a small price if you love MLS like I do. So, Shep will only be a studio analyst. He won’t be working with Cangialosi. Which sucks. But he will be in the studio with BWP and Sasha at times, so that’s cool.
I don't mean to hijaak this thread too much, but the AppleTV thing is critical to watching NYRB this season so... I don't own AppleTV hardware, and currently have no AppleTV+ streaming subscription. So from what I can tell, in order to watch every NYRB match, I'll have to buy MLS Season Pass on AppleTV, which is either $99/yr or $79/yr if you already have an AppleTV+ subscription. For me (and I suspect quite a few others) that's OUCH! I was hoping that maybe access to MLS matches would be included in a regular AppleTV+ subscription. I thought maybe that was Apple's strategy to drive footy fans like us to their general service for movies, shows, etc. But I guess that's not true. So if I really wanted to be able to watch general AppleTV content plus NYRB matches, I'd have to spend $69/yr for AppleTV+ plus $79/yr for MLS Season Pass, for a nifty total of $148/yr. But if I only want to watch MLS (I guess they won't require me to also have AppleTV+ right?) I can just spend $79... the bare minimum entry point for watching MLS this year, right? Ugh, I believe I coined a new acronym in another forum... YOSS. Yet Another Streaming Service! Like salt in the wounds.
You pay $99 if you ONLY want MLS pass. If you agree to pay 6.99 a month for whatever they have on their streaming service then they’ll only charge you $79 for the MLS pass on top of said $6.99. I don’t care about their streaming service so I won’t subscribe and therefore end up paying the $99. But they offer 1 week free if you want to checkout their streaming service and decide whether you like it or not.
https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2023...wcZcD4ZdDGEOIMN-Gr7gHMSNxQi31H4Fwr9nVmD8PjXN0 Sean Nealis named Red Bulls’ 15th captain Feb 20, 2023
I'm OK with that. From what I remember, he was a rock for us last season. Others that I might consider as vice-cap's are: Morgan, Luquinhas, Casseres
I’m optimistic about this team as long as we have/add a bit more center back depth. Other than that, we’re going to get points. We’re going to make playoffs. But will we have a deadly scorer to win those crucial games, because we all know there will be chances? Vanzier and/or Manoel have to come good, no? I’m pumped for Saturday (Sunday for me living in Madrid)!
Just take the 2023 of this thread and keep it rolling. I just want to point out that only us and the new version of the Cosmos are without a title now that Gotham NY FC won the NWSL title over the weekend. I would like to slap everyone in the front office.
Yup. And that Gotham-Reign game was a good one. Probably the only NWSL match I've watched this year, at least in full, and there was some really good stuff. I commented in another thread that RBA finally has a playoffs trophy coming back home.
And the coach as well. I didn’t want these two back so I’m happy. Hopefully, maybe, just maybe, we can wish and dream that this is a sign that Redbull is done with mediocrity here in NY. Obviously they need to get good guys in those positions but maybe those rumors of them spending big in the offseason or at least making positive big moves may be true. The Swedish guy apparently on his way and now these moves. Fingers crossed.
Aha. Forsberg. I've probably seen him play a few times. But is he a bit past it? Here's the sentence from that article which gives me the most concern: "Nevertheless, the attacker has seen his playing time slowly dwindle in recent seasons. Forsberg managed just 20 total appearances in Leipzig’s starting lineup since the start of the 2022/23 season. This is a span of 45 domestic top-flight games."
He probably is for Bundi but MLS will be fine, if we manage his minutes. Forsberg Omir Burke Morgan Luique Barlow Manoel Vanzier I can see us shipping Morgan and Burke. And keeping the rest as 4 starters, 2 subs and using academy kids for the other 2 spots for the front 4 and depth chart.
Unless we’re sure Morgan won’t be fitter next year, I’d keep him. He’s been very very good for us… at times. ps. I’m not hip to any financial restrictions that might drive this decision.
I was thinking playing time and cost. Barlow and Fernandez are homegrown so they will be the cheapest. Vanzier and Forsberg will be the DPs so they will stay. That leaves the other 4 to fight for time. Morgan will be worth starting to a team with a weak attack and Burke will also be. Manoel has lacked consistentcy so him being shipped back to Red Bull Brazil is possible too. Also we got Barlow, Burke and Manoel who are all 9s so on will get shifted to wing.. Burke Morgan Forsberg Luqui Barlow Manoel Fernandez Vanzier
If Barlow is any higher up the pecking order than 3rd tier striker, I will not be happy. Unless, of course, he experiences some type of metamorphosis. (which I’ve seen no evidence for)