From NYRB
After training at Red Bulls Training Facility in Whippany, N.J. on Thursday, head coach Sandro Schwarz and captain Emil Forsberg spoke with the media prior to New York’s MLS regular season match against FC Cincinnati on Saturday.
News and Notes
• The Red Bulls have posted a 7-4-3 mark against FC Cincinnati in the regular season in franchise history.
• Captain Emil Forsberg has recorded three straight games with a goal contribution.
• Defender Kyle Duncan has recorded four career goal contributions (2G,2A) in his career against FC Cincinnati.
• Goalkeeper Carlos Coronel has recorded 10 shutouts this season, which ranks tied for second in MLS.
New York Red Bulls Head Coach Sandro Schwarz
On message to team going into final two matches…
First of all, I can 100% understand the question, and because from the Tuesday game with the result from Chicago, of course, then it's now the final decision that we don't reach the playoffs. So that's now a clear, clear situation. And of course, yesterday, when we met the first time it was not the best atmosphere then, and everyone was disappointed about that, of course, but on the other side, and we had yesterday, a meeting about the situation right now and what I can say right now is, I can find so many reasons that it makes sense to be successful on Saturday as well and it's not only because we are professionals or something like that. This is because it's our last game in our home stadium. Last year we got 47 points. This year we have, right now, with two games to go, 43 points. It makes sense for us to have this goal to reach out more points than last season and so many things in our group, which makes sense to keep the energy until the end. Of course we don't have now. The headline was with the playoffs, and we were very disappointed, and after the season, we have to analyze clear okay, why we, why we didn't get this qualification? I think that's important but right now is for us, so many arguments, to give everything for the club, to give everything for the crowds in our home stadium, for ourselves. And of course, then Cincinnati, they are fighting for supporter shield on Saturday, and we are fighting to get more points than last season. And it's a little bit strange, because we are out now for the playoffs, but we can get more points than last season and of course, everyone is now disappointed, also from the supporters and I can understand, because when you only read the headline, playoffs. Okay, last year we won the Eastern Conference Final, MLS Cup final, and this year we are not in the playoffs. But we have to analyze different pictures. But the result is we have to go on Saturday again against the Cincinnati.
On message to fans…
It's necessary to keep the group together, every time the crowds to support us. It's very simple. When you win games, games, games, when you like, last year the playoff run, that's very simple to bring all people together, sometimes when it's tough, so when it's not the best feeling right now for everyone, of course, because everyone is working so hard, but then you have to show to stay together, to analyze, that's clear, not only to say, okay, that can happen, and we are going and maybe we are doing the same thing. No, that's not good. So to analyze, to make some topics better, of course, but to stay together and to push to support each other. And this is also our responsibility on the field, to make the first steps, to give everything and not to go out on Saturday, and then to think 80% and we're playing little bit. No, it's red carpet. All this. I can really, I can find so many arguments to bring your best performance, to bring your best level, to bring your best energy on Saturday. I can find very easy 10 arguments. It's no problem so, and this is also what the crowds has to feel on Saturday and to stay together.
On Julian Hall…
He’s made great, great steps in his individual development. So was last year with minutes. Now, more minutes and be stronger in the duels. So that's great. And this is the product, not only from the first team right now, that's the product from the whole Academy. And this is a really, really good example when a player is doing step by step his Individual development Academy, second team, now first team, so that's a great example, and I'm pretty sure his potential is very high. To make also the next steps for the club, for the group, for him individually. And that's good to see. It's good to see. I had so many times experience to see with young players these steps in my clubs before, at the end the product from the identity, the philosophy, from the whole club.
New York Red Bulls Captain Emil Forsberg
On mindset of team…
I think everybody coming in on Wednesday evening. It's been the big disappointment in the team, of course, not making the playoffs. I think it's a big disappointment for us, and in that way, we have to show a reaction in those two games coming up, even though it's not about nothing, it's about pride, it's about our fans, about every supporter, for ourselves, to show how disappointed we are at ourselves, enough to win these games, to put pressure on ourselves to win these games, and think that's our responsibility, and that's what we got to go out and do, and that's the goal.
On chance to get more points than last season…
I think it's a motivation for us to go for, to strive for, to keep the energy up, to keep our motivation up, to win those two games, because we have the capability to win those two games and it has to be a motivation. And we need to do it for ourselves, for our fans, and to end the season in a not a good note, but to end the season with victories. And then, like I said, have a discussions after the year what we need to do better next year.
On Julian Hall…
Yeah, I mean it's been amazing. I think all season he's been developing. He's been listening very good, and you can see he's been like a crocodile, waiting to snap, you know, to get his chance. And I think now he's been taking it, and I'm proud of him, but he has a lot more potential. He's going to do a lot better, and I'm happy for him. It's good for the club. And he's a humble guy. He's a young kid. He wants to do better every day in training, and I think he's just going to get better and better.