MATT KREMKAU - EMPIRE OF SOCCER

by DAVE MARTINEZ

Now that we are some 48 hours removed from one of the most painful playoff exits in franchise history, lets take a minute to analyze how the Red Bulls got here.

ONE TRICK PONY: The New York Red Bulls know one way to play. That is pressing, fast paced, two-touch soccer, designed to choke the opposition in their own end with the hopes of creating enough disruption to cause turnovers and goalscoring opportunities.

So why didn’t we see that throughout the two game series?

The problem is that the high-press strategy doesn’t transfer well into the world of the postseason. For as efficient as the team can be in their regular tactic, they leave themselves exposed on the counter attack in a high press. That is a chance the Red Bulls are willing to take over 34 games.

Two matches? Not so much.

Knowing this fact ahead of time, the Red Bulls tinkered throughout the summer, practicing protecting their lead in a new, five man backline formation. The idea was to compliment the Red Bulls’ press with a different and equally efficient look when they needed protection in the playoffs.

Instead, New York learned something about themselves: they are most effective when on the press. In fact, one could even argue they are only effective on the press.

Come the Impact series, the Red Bulls took a tentative approach to the proceedings — as any team in a similar situation would. But that isn’t the Red Bulls. At a slower approach, Montreal were able to physically bully the Red Bulls’ offense, stifling their attack and creating chances which, to their credit, they managed to finish.

By the time Montreal scored their second goal on Sunday, it was too late. New York reintroduced their all-or-nothing offense and managed a goal in return, but the aggregate scoreline was simply too much to overcome.

In the end, Marsch and his men could not function outside of their single-minded approach — and that cost them the result.

THE BEAUTY AND AGONY OF GONZALO VERON: Sunday also revealed why Gonzalo Veron is a very talented player — who just doesn’t fit in with the Red Bulls offense. While the Argentine playmaker was responsible for the best opportunity of the night, drawing a PK for Sacha Kljestan, he often looked out of sorts in the greater scheme of the Marsch offense.

Here is the deal: Veron is a classic Argentine playmaker. He will make a run into space. He will stop. He will protect the ball, read the field, weigh his options — and then, distribute.

The problem is that approach runs counter to the two-touch pass system of the Red Bulls. Several times this weekend, team leaders like Dax McCarty and Bradley Wright-Phillips audibly called Veron out on the field to keep the ball moving.

But that isn’t Veron. And that isn’t a bad thing, either. Like we argued several months ago, it isn’t that Veron is a bust — he just never fit into the geggenpress. Sunday, for better or worse, proved that fact.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFERENT: Perhaps the least talked about moment of Sunday’s match was its most critical. Fans have taken aim at the high press and even coach Jesse Marsch, but this is a different series if Sacha Kljestan isn’t beaten on the PK by Evan Bush.

BUT PROPS TO SACHA KLJESTAN: Despite that major gaffe, Kljestan still managed to show his quality and leadership, particularly in the second leg. Most people couldn’t run a treadmill for 15 minutes with both nostrils filled with gauze. Yet, here was Kljestan, going hard for the majority of the match a bloody mess — without the use of his nose.

Did he have a Rocky Balboa moment, stunning the crowd with a moment of brilliance in the face of adversity? No. Clearly not. But in many ways, watching Kljestan battle through his ails served as a microcosm for his season. Kljestan has fought his way through all types of road blocks to achieve his status as an MVP candidate and a re-born U.S. National Team player. His play on Sunday was a window into the character of the man that made that happen.

NOW WHAT? That is the question on everyone’s mind. After all, this was supposed to be a year of advancement. A year of achievement.

Instead, New York fell in agonizing fashion to another arguably inferior team for the second year in a row — only this time, one round earlier than their 2015 mark.

Whether you are Barcelona, Manchester City or the New York Red Bulls, everyone goes into the offseason in hopes of improving their product. With that in mind, it is becoming clear that 2017 may be the last hurrah for this core of Red Bull players.

So what must the Red Bulls do to finally secure an MLS Cup? Shedding the DP tags on Omer Damari and Gonzalo Veron may be the first move — especially if Jesse Marsch is granted another season with the club. New York can’t look for band aids in their quest for Bradley Wright-Phillips’ counterpart. A secondary striker is among the top needs for the club.

Wing play was also sketchy, both on offense and defense. Bringing in quality options to push Grella, Muyl, Royer, Duvall and Lawrence will certainly go a long way in improving the team.

But if 2017 is the pinnacle of this Red Bulls era of players, the larger roster-related question may very well be in the middle of the park. New York’s midfield triumvirate of Dax McCarty, Sacha Kljestan and Felipe are the engine of this system — and have been for some time. Will they be given one more year at glory?

And what of Jesse Marsch? His experimentation with a 4-2-2-2 earlier this year fell in spectacular fashion. Will he work towards a more robust tactical approach in 2017?

These are the questions following the Red Bulls into the offseason — and the answers will speak volumes to the team’s approach next season.