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RBNY TRAINING REPORT – MONDAY,
APRIL 20
After training at Red Bulls Training Facility in Whippany, N.J. on Tuesday, Head Coach Michael Bradley and defender Matthew Dos Santos spoke with the media prior to New York’s home match against D.C. United on Wednesday.
News and Notes
• The Red Bulls are 36-38-18 against D.C. United and are 7-1-2 in their last nine matches across all competitions against the side.
• New York are 19-15-10 against D.C. at home in the regular season and are 2-1-2 mark in their last five matches against the side at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
• RBNY are 3-1-0 at home across all competitions this season.
• Winger Cade Cowell has recorded three assists for the club this season and recorded three career goal contributions against the D.C. on May 1, 2021.
Red Bull New York Head Coach Michael Bradley
On rivalry with D.C. United…
I understand very well that games against D.C. United always carry extra weight. And that goes back to the very beginning of the league, and some of the games that were played between MetroStars and DC United. And so I am well aware that for the fans, games against DC United are really important. And you know, we're going to step on the field at home on Wednesday night, ready to give everything we have to respond in a really strong way and give our fans a great night.
On team using hardships as a learning lesson…
There's absolutely truth to that. In life, in general, in society a lot of people are always looking for the quick fix, to be able to snap their fingers and have it all come together perfectly. And that's not always how it works. You know to be able to build something real, to be able to have a team, in this case, that can hold up on the hardest days, that can compete at the highest levels of this league, week in and week out. Yeah, that requires real work, and that requires some hard days, and that requires some hard lessons, and that requires then understanding how to respond and how to bounce back and how to continue to push when things don't come so easy. And look, that is ultimately why a lot of teams can't become really good ones, and that's why a lot of players can't become really top players, is because it's hard and there are no shortcuts. And so we are committed to continuing the work, continuing to push each other, challenge each other, engage each other, help each other, and take the foundation that is being built in a really good way, and make sure that over the long run, we have a team that can really hold up.
On ways to improve after Montreal match…
Mistakes happen. It's football. It's not a perfect game, and it never will be. And one of the things that we try to really repeat over and over again is that we want to be a team that has a mentality to just react and play and continue to push and always be ready for the next play. Of course with that, part of being a good team and part of continuing to improve is that the number of good plays, the number of good connections, the number of moments where the timing and the understanding is right, that number increases, and then the number of plays that get messed up, that number decreases. And so look, generally speaking for a new group and a young team, we're going in a in a really good direction. We've had a lot of really, really good games, a lot of really good moments. Saturday Montreal was honestly the first time this year where we weren't us. That was not who we are. That's not our football, that's not our mentality, that's not our commitment, that's not our intensity, that's in some of those ways it was our worst game of the season in those ways, up until now. We looked at a little bit today, we talked about it. We got went on the field, had a really good session, and again reiterated the part that no season ever goes perfect for anybody, and early in the season, the way that you can learn from days like that, that you can understand the details, understand the things that really count, that really make the difference. Those are the important lessons. And so we're going to be ready on Wednesday night to step on the field and get back to being us and playing our way and being ready to respond in a really strong way.
Red Bull New York Defender Matthew Dos Santos
On transition from second team to first team so far…
Obviously, it was a quick turnaround, going from last year's second team to this year's first team. But I'd say the adjustments are just faster, more physical, and it takes time. But I feel like with my teammates help and Michael's help, it's been good so far.
On rebounding after loss to Montreal…
I'd say after that game, it's obviously not the result we wanted, especially on the road against the team that we've played against this year already. I'd say after looking at the video and obviously talking to the guys, we all know what we have to do. And I'd say it's mostly a mentality thing, like it's just everybody being more on the same page and being ready for the other teams, good players, because every team has their pieces and their ways to score goals, and we just have to be more prepared for that and willing to do the running and the work.
On rivalry with D.C. United…
It's an exciting game especially the rivalry. Like you said, it's not something I was able to experience with the second team because they don't have one. But as an academy player, playing against DC was always one of those games you look forward to, and it's an exciting time of the year. So being back at home, being able to play against the rival is a pleasure. |
