MATT KREMKAU - EMPIRE OF SOCCER

by JACK HAZZARD

After a long MLS break, the New York Red Bulls are ready to get back into the groove of things this Sunday against the Seattle Sounders.

The Red Bulls will be coming off of a convincing U.S. Open Cup win against the Rochester Rhinos earlier this week that saw Sacha Kljestan‘s 20’ minute goal decide the match.

With New York claiming their fourth win in a row, head coach Jesse Marsch was handed a brand new contract, increasing his salary and prolonging his tenure as New York’s manager.

Marsch commented, “this has been a great place for me, no doubt.”

“[The new contract] doesn’t mean anything in what I put in every day. I’m still hungry as ever and I think this whole organization is hungry to prove themselves.”

Many would suggest that Marsch earned this new contract, in part, due to his commitment managing the team following their poor 1-5 start. Since then, he has brought the club from the bottom of the Eastern Conference to second place, only five points behind the Philidelphia Union.

And a Supporters’ Shield didn’t hurt his case either.

“We all had to push hard, starting with myself. When we were in down moments, I had to look at myself and figure out how to keep pushing and keep this thing going and demand a lot out of the players,” Marsch said. “I think the players have really upped the standards as well.”

Team leaders Sacha Kljestan and Luis Robles spoke highly of their manager’s new contract, both claiming it was well-deserved.

“It is nice to see that Jesse got a new contract as well. I think it’s deserved. He was the coach of the year and obviously for continuity to have him and Ali around is important for us as we continue to move forward as a club,” said Kljestan. “It was always a five-year plan, or maybe even a ten-year plan and it’s about building something for this club.”

Luis Robles added more praise for his manager, now in his second year as Red Bulls’ manager.

“[Marsch] deserves it. The work he puts in the organization and the belief he has put into the players shows.

“It would have been easy to put it on us but he didn’t and that not only speaks to his character as a coach but as a person.”

Marsch Gives an Injury Update

With Kemar Lawrence returning to New York early from the Copa America due to injury, Marsch spoke about the defender’s situation.

“Kemar got hernia surgery so he is out 4-6 weeks. We just felt with the abductor strain being a longer timetable, it was time to go and get everything repaired. So we will be missing him.”

With Kemar out, Marsch will be looking towards young defenders Connor Lade and Justin Bilyeu to step up during the Jamaican’s absence.

“Connor now plays and a big role and in that Justin Bilyeu. We will have to rely on both of those guys now to step up.

“Connor for sure he was a big reason why we were able to climb ourselves out of it, a big hole in the beginning, was just his overall competitive will, so it’s always good to have Connor on the field.”

Marsch also gave quick updates on the statuses of winger Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aurelien Collins, stating that SWP “is better than we thought” and claiming he is “hopefully day to day.” As for Collins, Marsch said he “is fine, just giving him an extra day after the turf.”