Welcome to the 24th Season Preview of the 2023 MLS season! We are continuing this journey under energy drink central, the New York Red Bulls. Manager Gerhard Struber has done a great job with this group who now brought in a new designated player at the striker position. Is this the year they get a trophy with this core? For those of you who are new to MLS Now's work, thanks for reading today and check out all of what our podcast and blog site has to offer. Let's get into it below.
2022 Recap
Record: 15-8-11 (53 points/4th in East)
Team Leader Goals: Lewis Morgan 14, Patryk Klimala/Luquinhas 5
Team Leader Assists: Cristian Cásseres Jr/Omir Fernandez 6, Frankie Amaya 5
2023 Outlook
Manager: Gerhard Struber (4th season)
Additions: CF Dante Vanzeir ($5.35 million transfer from Royale Union St. Gilloise/24 years old), CF Corey Burke (free from Philadelphia Union/31 years old)
Subtractions: CM Aaron Long (free to LAFC/30 years old), CAM Caden Clark (end loan from RB Leipzig/21 years old), CF Patryck Klimala (transfer to Hapoel Beer Sheva/24 years old)
Designated Players: CF Dante Vanzeir, CAM Luquinhas
Projected Starting XI
New York Red Bull fans should be thrilled about their offseason so far as they are setting themselves up to not rely on their goals all coming from Lewis Morgan in 2023. New striker Dante Vanzeir has scored 70 professional goals across his career in Belgium so far. At age 24, he is just entering his prime and should be a sound striker in this league. Elias Manoel was also acquired full time after his loan from Gremio last summer. He looked sharp in his 6 MLS matches and will be next to Vanzeir as a second striker. Their third signing was one of the league's strongest subs at the forward position who has a history in a two-striker system: Philadelphia Union's Corey Burke. What I like the most about the Red Bulls is their depth in the midfield. I have Dru Yearwood and Cristian Casseres in the stating lineup, but Frankie Amaya and Daniel Edelman are both more than capable to replace them as well. Then you also have youngsters like Peter Stroud, Wikelman Carmona, Omir Fernandez, and Serge Ngoma all ready to go and they'll only get better. The Red Bulls have a system that will always succeed in the league because of the production they get out of their homegrowns. If Vanzeir can come in and be a top goal scorer, I really think they can hang with anyone.
Thanks for viewing our twenty-fourth 2023 season preview. There will be a new one out about every single day leading up to MLS kickoff. If you are a passionate fan looking to write about your club, we are actively seeking contributors for MLS clubs this season. If interested, message us on either Twitter or Instagram @MLSNowPodcast. We want to provide an outlet for fans to discuss their club on the site and also guest star on the podcast throughout the season.
Bryce Leslie
Twitter: @bleslie19