Even with a week one loss, the New York Red Bulls are primed to improve on their greatest season ever.

The team is coming off the quietest offseason in recent memory, and the narrative heading into week one was continuity. The first match of 2016 did not go as planned, but there is still reason to think this team could make some noise in 2016. The reason for that is due to an acquisition the team made in summer of 2015.

Gonzalo Veron is emblematic of the current state of the Red Bulls as an organization. A 26-year-old Designated Player who was bought into the fold to be a soccer player first with almost no intention of being used as a marketing tool.

A left-footed, technical, speedster, Veron was the first DP brought in by Sporting Director Ali Curtis. However, unlike previous high-profile signings, Veron was not being tasked with being a team savior and crowd draw. As Curtis said at the time of his unveiling, "he is someone who fits well into our long-term plans for our club."

While Vernon’s signing was seen as a move with an eye towards 2016, there was a hope among fans that he’d be the missing piece that would help RBNY capture its first MLS Cup title.

Last year, though, it just wasn’t meant to be.

As most midseason acquisitions are want to do, Veron found his integration into the team to be a slow process and was unable to insert himself into the Starting IX.

Despite being Supporter’s Shield winners and sporting MLS’s’ No. 1 offense, there often seemed to be something lacking. Head Coach Jesse Marsch had crafted his men into a well-oiled, high-pressing machine, but there was a worry that they could run into issues. Without an ability to adjust on-the-fly or deviate from their rigid 4-2-3-1 formation, the Red Bulls ran into trouble during the playoff matchups against D.C. United and Columbus Crew SC.

New York was able to win three out of their four playoffs games, but only scored three goals in the those wins as they were eliminated by Columbus in the Eastern Conference Final.