Leashing Cerberus
Facing the Next Pro leading Red Bulls II in the Open Cup Jr. Hudson River Derby is tough, facing them without four starters because of the GA Cup will be tougher.
New York City FC II embarked on its US Open Cup voyage with a matchup against New Jersey semi-pro club FC Motown, shrouded in a bit of mystery. MLS Next Pro is a competition characterized by its insularity and youthful rosters. There was an open question of how the team would fare against older, more experienced players. However, the team stepped up to a resounding 3-0 victory. The young Pigeons effectively swarmed their opponents defensively, while also creating chance after chance on the offensive end. The game was highlighted by young homegrowns Maximo Carrizo and Drew Baiera scoring their first professional goals.
The second-round draw has pitted NYCFC II against familiar foes New York Red Bulls II. So familiar that current NYCFC II player Chris Tiao has played for them in the past. The draw, akin to a junior Hudson River Derby, disappointingly lacked the novelty found in other matchups; every other team in the Cup is playing an opponent outside their regular league. The encounter with the Red Bulls diminishes the excitement of the cup, as the Squabs will face them at least twice more this season.
A Tough Matchup
It’s also misfortunate because the season is still in its infancy, the Red Bulls are already operating seamlessly like a well-oiled machine. The Red Bulls are undefeated in MLS Next Pro play, currently sitting at the top of the table with eight points on the table. It was not surprising to see them smash the semi-pro Hudson Valley Hammers 5-1 in their last Open Cup turnout. Notably, the Red Bulls have the toughest defense in MLS Next Pro, allowing just 0.5 goals added (G+) per game. NYCFC has experienced a slower start, managing only two points from two league games.
The 2023 season marked the Red Bulls’ inaugural participation in MLS Next Pro, transitioning from USL. Benefiting from a long-established system, they excel at scouting talents from a variety of sources (for example, they have multiple players from Uganda, a relatively small power in African soccer) and indoctrinating them in the Red Bull style of play. They comfortably made the playoffs in 2023 with 51 points and a +17 goal difference, much better than NYCFC. That said, they ended up losing the season series to the Blues, showing that rivalry games have a propensity to defy expectations.
What Makes Them Dangerous?
The Red Bulls’ success this season is anchored in their formidable attacking line, boasting a trio who stand out as among the league’s finest This three-headed monster combines prodigious talent with relentless pressing, springing seamless attacks against disorganized defenses.
Ibrahim Kasule is the man in the control room for the team, directing the press and involving himself in as many attacking possessions as possible. The team captain excelled last season at creating chances for his teammates and has been entrusted with the majority of the Red Bulls set pieces. With 2 goals and 2 assists in 2 MLS Next Pro Games and a goal in the Open Cup, he remains a danger any time he is on the ball.
Mohammed Sofo, a more recent signing joining last summer, initially served as a substitute but has lockdown a starting role in 2024. He brings electrifying dribbling skills and a direct style of play that is perfect for his team’s system. Sofo’s ability to go directly at the back line immediately after the Red Bulls win possession in the attacking third poses a significant challenge for opponents. Handling him will most likely be the key to stopping the Red Bull attack.
If there was any weakness to the Energy Drinks last year it was the lack of a true target forward. Roald Mitchell, most recently a college player with Wake Forest, has been around the program for years and has slipped right into the starting striker role for the Red Bulls. Mitchell is a classic big-bodied forward with a combative approach in the box, battering CBs in ground or aerial duels like an ill-mannered bowling ball among hapless pins. Despite his physical style, he’s also very good with the ball at his feet and on the dribble.
Additionally, the Red Bulls have impact subs capable of changing the course of the game. Julian Hall, younger than Maximo Carrizo, has already showcased his capabilities at the MLS Next Pro level and is the current youngest player ever with an MLS appearance.
However, the Red Bulls midfield and defense, while adequate for the level, lack the explosiveness and danger posed by their attacking counterparts. Ronald Donkor, a first-teamer, may be ineligible for the match and didn’t play in the first Open Cup tie but offers a great deal of quality in the midfield. Should NYCFC reliably threaten the Red Bulls’ goal, they’ll need to contend with the formidable shot-stopping abilities of goalkeeper AJ Marcucci, who is the best in MLS Next Pro history in this regard.
How To Win the Game
First and foremost, the NYCFC II that takes the field against the Red Bulls is going to have a great deal of turnover. Five of the players that turned up against Motown joined the NYCFC U17s in the Generation Adidas Cup, four of whom were starters. That means several new faces in the most important match of the season so far, many of whom have seen little action. Will there be first-team players brought down so soon after a trip to Miami? It remains to be seen.
(NYCFC U17 will kick off the knockout round of the GA Cup against renowned PSV Eindhoven at 2:30 ET on April 3rd. It may be televised on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.)
Facing any Red Bull team, regardless of level, demands a primary focus on survival. Their most dangerous weapon lies in their overwhelming press in the attacking third, strategically designed to frustrate build-up play and create easy chances with favorable numbers off turnovers. The way NYCFC handles the press is ultimately going to define the match. This poses a concern as the Baby Blues have not always shown t composure under duress. 18-year-old left center back Alexander Hauschild shows promise, but has been shaky in possession and vulnerable in defensive transition. If Kwaku Owusu, who has been sidelined since the opener, is available, pairing him with Klevis Haxhari could offer additional stability in the build-up. Piero Elias will also shoulder a heavy load in midfield progression, as the Red Bulls aim to force possession out wide pinning players along the sidelines.
If NYCFC can survive the pressure, or skip it entirely by playing long balls - a prudent strategy given the matchup- they will have a fighting chance against a softer Red Bull midfield and defensive group. Still, they should not expect the plurality of opportunities they enjoyed against Motown. The midfielders - whoever they are - will have to be efficient and must capitalize on the limited moments of possession they receive. Furthermore, whoever starts at wing, be it Jonathan Jimenez, Malachi Jones, or Ronald Arévalo, must constantly look for dangerous runs and succeed in 1v1 situations against the back line.
When NYRB have possession, NYCFC’s press will need to be locked in. Motown struggled mightily and gave up chance after chance due to high turnovers. Red Bull is a different story. They face a tougher press in practice every day and will not be caught off guard as easily. There will be mistakes on both backlines; that’s the nature of a reserve league. The game in many ways will come down to who can convert those mistakes into chances, and chances into goals.
Facing a familiar opponent on Tuesday night, the Squads must somehow find a way to navigate past them to encounter an unfamiliar one in the next round. USL Championship teams will enter the competition, offering more professional exposure and a chance to go against some lower-league titans. Here’s hoping the run continues. ❧
Image: Paul Manship, Hercules and Cerberus