How the Red Bulls lost the Columbus series

Hint: it was not because of the high press

The high press didn't work! Jesse Marsch has no Plan B! We won't ever win until we figure out how to adapt and change our plan!

Those are just a few things I have read in the days after the New York Red Bulls won a match but lost a series to Columbus Crew SC. Here's the thing, those statements are wrong.

The high press didn't work against Columbus, but it wasn't because of the system. Marsch didn't have a real Plan B, because based on evidence, we didn't need it. We won 18 games in the regular season, 2 in the playoffs, and 2 in Open Cup, and a famous mid-season friendly against Chlesea with the high press. We also scored a MLS high 62 goals in 2015. The real reasons that the team lost come down to two simple things: passing and substitutions.

Passing is simple, you have to complete them. The Red Bulls were poor at it when it mattered.

A flaw of this high pressure system is that the fullbacks are asked to join the attack, but putting the ball into the box. This leaves the center backs, and sometimes a defensive midfielder back to stop a counter if things break down. We've seen this before this year in losses to the Chicago Fire and Orlando City SC where the opponent was faster and broke through the first row of midfielders.

The system also requires players in the attacking half to do 2 things: keep possession, or get it back quickly. The Red Bulls' poor passing when they reached the Columbus penalty box led to issues. The poor passing at key times led to losing possession before getting a shot off. It also allowed Columbus to counter all day long with their quick attacking options. When you have to chase on the counter for most of the day from bad passing, it's not a good sign.

If this team was better passing the ball around the Columbus box, then they aren't facing the number of counters they did. They aren't running back at breakneck speed to cover Robles. They aren't getting tired and possibly disheartened from a lack of chances.

The team's poor passing was possibly the biggest factor in why this team failed in the series. It's not the only reason though, a close second was Jesse Marsch's game management. When did the Red Bulls look the most dangerous in this series? It was when Gonzalo Veron was on the field.

Mike Grella had an amazing year for this team, and should be back in 2016, but Veron was the better option in Leg 2. Veron is a more dynamic player than Grella, and should've started the second leg, or at the very least, been brought on in the first half when things weren't working. Down 2-0 in a must win game, you have to give yourself the best chance to win. Marsch stuck by his Starting XI, as coaches are sometimes want to do (callingHans Backe), and by the time he made the change, it was too late.

Was the playoff exit a failure? From a single season point of view yes, but Marsch & company weren't playing just for this season. Marsch said as much in post match comments.

"I think there's a new direction. It's obvious to everyone with the way we play and the commitment of the organization. You can start with Mr. [Dietrich] Mateschitz but you can talk about Oliver Mintzlaff, Marc De Grandpre, Ali Curtis, myself, and down to the players, we're all united. We're all moving forward in the same direction. This is clearly something unique in our league with its own identity. We're in the initial stages. Our goal is to put ourselves in these kinds of games and situations every year, to grow every year, to invest in our youth and youth academy, and create something that has such a big identity that everyone in the community wants to attach themselves to it. The first year, in that sense, has been an overwhelming success. If we can make this kind of progress, year in and year out, we'll create something that I think can be really special."

The Red Bulls will come back next year stronger. They won't be learning a new system, and will improve on what's in place. For this year's playoff exit though, don't blame the system, blame the execution.

Report: D.C United Trade Chris Pontius To Philadelphia Union For Allocation Money

Ives Galarcep of Goal.com has confirmed that long time D.C United player Chris Pontius will join Philadelphia Union in a trade to be announced next week.

D.C United Midfielder Chris Pontius has been reportedly traded to Philadelphia Union, according to Ives Galarcep of Goal.com. In exchange, United will acquire allocation money in this trade that will be reportedly announced next week.

The 28-year-old midfielder will provide much needed cover on the flanks for a Philadelphia team that is in need of a retooled bench as it enters the 2016 season.

However, Pontius does bring some baggage with him to Philadelphia. Primarily, Pontius’ career has been hindered by multiple injuries. In the past three seasons, Pontius has only played in half (51 of 102) ofD.C. United’s MLS Regular Season schedule. This includes a lost 2014 season in which Pontius had hamstring surgery and only played in six regular season games and two playoff games. To further compound the issue, Pontius is due to make nearly $400,000 in 2016, which is the third highest salary on the Union roster behindTranquillo Barnetta and Maurice Edu.

On the plus side, Pontius has talent and quality that could boost this team, if he is healthy. Further, he adds another key threat to the flanks as a key sub or even a spot-starter. In his best season in MLS, Pontius registered 12 goals and four assists in route to winning the Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player Award, Golden Boot as well as a place in the MLS Best XI.

In 2009, Pontius was selected with the seventh overall pick in theMLS SuperDraft by United, where he had spent the last seven years of his career, tallying 31 goals as well as 17 assists.

One interesting and neglected portion of this reported deal is Earnie Stewart and his role at this point. With the new Sporting Director,Stewart, not officially starting until January, fans are curious as to the role of the former United States International in this reported transaction. 

New York Red Bulls Sporting Director Ali Curtis Announces Dax McCarty, Jesse Marsch Will Return

Curtis has announced a handful of roster moves including the return of Marsch and McCarty.

The New York Red Bulls offseason has started sooner than the team wanted it to, and on Monday Red Bulls Sporting Director Ali Curtisannounced a bevy of moves. Curtis announced that the team would pick up captain and fan favorite Dax McCarty’s contract option, and that manager Jesse Marsch will be back next season. Additionally, Curtis announced that fullback Roy Miller and forward Dane Richards would not be back next season, per Empire of Soccer.

Fan favorite to return

In 2011 the Red Bulls traded Dwayne De Rosario to rival DC Unitedfor Dax McCarty. Since then McCarty has been a fan favorite and with the Red Bulls he has compiled 11 goals and 22 assists in the regular season. This postseason he scored the first goal in the Red Bulls series win over DC United, a header off a Sacha Kljestan free kick. The Red Bulls picking up his option makes sense to most Red Bulls fans.

Marsch stays after winning plaudits

The New York Red Bulls fired manager Mike Petke after last season and hired Marsch amid much turmoil with the fans. Prior to being hired by the Red Bulls, Marsch was the manager of the Montreal Impact in their inaugural season, where he went 12-16-6. He then worked for the MLS in their offices for a few years. This season was the most successful in Red Bulls history as they went 23-11-7, won theSupporters' Shield, a franchise record for most wins in a season and most wins at home in a season. As well as earning a CONCACAF Champions League berth next season, they Red Bulls boast two players in the MLS Best XI. This season Marsch won the MLS Coach of the Year award for his efforts.

Miller to move on

Although the news about McCarty and Marsch will be well met by fans, some may be disappointed by the other news. In 2010 Roy Miller signed with the Red Bulls and was the longest tenured Red Bull player. Miller barely featured in the Red Bulls lineup due to large amounts of injury issues and the fact that he was “Wally Pipped” byKemar Lawrence this season, but the Red Bulls did, win two Supporter’s Shields and made the playoffs every year that he was a member of the team. According to Dave Martinez of Empire of Soccer Miller could move to another team in MLS due to the fact that he is still under contract to the league.

Richards second stint with team is over

Richards was a Red Bulls 2nd round pick in the 2007 MLS Super Draft and played for the team from 2007 to 2012 before moving toVancouver, England, and Norway before a return this season to the Red Bulls. In July the Red Bulls loaned Richards to the Indy Eleven of the NASL where he scored 3 goals in 15 appearances. Richards while still a member of the 2015 Red Bulls played in 12 games and started once. 

UPDATE: MEARA'S BACK

It was announced a few days ago and neglected to include in this article that goalkeeper Ryan Meara's loan with cross town rivalsNew York City FC has ended and he has returned to the Red Bulls. The Westchester born, Fordham grad Meara was a 2012 MLS Super Draft pick of the Red Bulls. He played well in his rookie season and eventually got hurt fell out of favor after the emmergence of Luis Robles in his place. In December of 2014 the Red Bulls annouced would send Meara to NYCFC on a season long loan for their inagural season. He would play one game this season for New York City Football Club.