NEW YORK RED BULLS MEDIA CONFERENCE

October 9, 2022

Gerhard Struber

Press Conference

New York Red Bulls 2, Charlotte 0

GERHARD STRUBER: Yeah, hello. I think first of all we are very, very happy we achieve our big goal in the season and this is in the end that, we stay in the playoffs and also that we have the home game. Yeah, I think the game today was not always in every direction, a sexy picture, how we press, how we come into transition moments, are not always on this level what we can do.

But I think we have in the right moments, also the strong moments for us, especially I think for our leader the, it's a very good feeling that he score and this helps also I think the whole team that we realize and can see that Elias, he can score on a level like that, what he showed us today.

And also, I think Carlos again, some special moments. We also had the first 25 minutes more control with a little bit of different set up today, how we press, that we find not always victory with the point. Come outside together, synchronized, was super happy with that.

In the end, I think our defending moments was good from Carlos, of course, and I would say sometimes was on a very, very good level today, Sean and Andres, they fight together for a good result for the clean sheet and John Tolkin, again, very, very reliable in so many directions and he leads us on a very good level.

Yeah, I would say this game helps us of course from the confidence side, from the conviction to do it also in a successful way the next game. It's playoff time. It's different. It's a completely different mental demand what's coming on us, but this game give us hope. This game give us a very, very good feeling. We know right now, Cincy is our opponent at home. It's very, very dangerous opponent with an outstanding development in this season. I would say they play also very proactive.

Also I think more vertical driving and it's a very difficult task for us. But I think with a big investment and a big effort together, it's possible to step in the next round. And yeah, we will press right now in this direction with all our power and with a very good match plan, and a mindset will help us to jump in the next round.

Q. From the start of the season, Elias Manoel, how has he grown and what are you most satisfied with that allowed him to have this performance where he was able to score both goals?

GERHARD STRUBER: Yeah, I think it's not all so easy that you realize all of the things what the coach want and I think we have to look in the process. I think in the process, you make big progress. He is learnable, he is coachable, he has feet. This is always for our game style, so I would say very, very helpful.

It's a big kickoff for being successful, and he is in this direction, I think very ambition to make the steps against the ball, yeah. I think this was for him the biggest challenge to be always on line, always a chopper, and also right now, he realize his first goals, and I think this gives himself a very good feeling for the next game.

And also the team in this direction, yeah, we are very, very happy with his progress in our identity. Yeah, looking forward for the next games with him.

Q. You did say that there were some moments that weren't sexy; do you feel that's something that can be rectified before Cincinnati?

GERHARD STRUBER: Of course, you see the runner gap, and we will speak with the boys. It is my duty to bring the boys always on a better level, on a higher level, and Cincy is a different team with a lot of power, and we have to come together for the next step. This is not only a practical thing. This is also a big mental test for a young group.

In this direction, we have to bring the boys in a big belief, and in a very good atmosphere together to win the next game. We know what we have to do and how much we have to invest against a team like Cincy. Yeah, but we believe maybe everyone on the same page with the right mindset, with the right cleverness in the match plan, that's possible.

Q. On the second goal, Frankie mire won a header there and that led to Mano picking up the goal and going for the shot. Can you talk about that play overall and how it indicates good chemistry for the players?

GERHARD STRUBER: Yeah, I think in our style of play, in possession it's very, very important that we find -- with our sixes like Frankie give a setup. In key moments, we find some relevant points in the game that we can win the ball very quick back, and then we have in moments like that, a little bit more cadence from the opponent and he can play against the direction. I think the rest defense today, how we do it on a very high level and with good concentration and a good point how we did it.

And also, I think the connection between Frankie, the players, they like to play in high-speed combination, and we have players like that. Sometimes we have to do it more often. This is for teams -- that we led also in possession or in transition the ball on the ground in good speed and in the end we also have players -- inaudible -- and also the mindset and the trust to do it from 16 meters, yeah. And I think this was a big conviction behind the shoot and the big power, and I think we have the trust and the belief that we can do it again.

Q. How the results finish up in the conference today, it didn't matter if you won, lost or tide, you were going to finish fourth place, but can you talk about what this result means to this team for the morale and mentally going into the playoff game, how much this win means?

GERHARD STRUBER: Yeah, of course, the standings also from the other games, and the halftime, but for me it was so important today that we invest everything into our game. And the win always helps to grow quick our confidence and belief, and in the end, the energy is different. You go into the dressing room today, you can feel it. It's more mature, top feeling. You have not create some special artificial moments I think for energy. This is natural, what we create with the win. I think it's very, very helpful and for me it was today, of course, I look to the other standings on the same time, the win, the victory was for me today the most important thing.

Yeah, I think I have big respect for my boys, how we did it this season. I have big things that I know and we start in the preseason all the challenges, to lose six starter players, new players inside, integrate new players, also and our idea is somewhat rule breakers like not a football idea. And I think in this direction, we create a very good energy together. Our chemistry is on a very high level between coaching staff, the players. The trust is on a very good level and this is always helpful and this gives a development in this direction. We are happy and we know that we can improve many things on a better level.

But I would say with our investment, what it is from the financial standpoint, compared to the other teams in the League, then I would say the relation is outstanding high the level of which we create with the unity with the team work, feeling, with our tactical principles, is much more higher value.

What you see sometimes, I understand that you are not inside and you see only from outside. But I am very, very happy with my boys and I have big respect for the team today.

Q. Frankie had a good game with Danny, do you feel that today's game made a good case to start that midfield pairing in the playoffs?

GERHARD STRUBER: At the moment, I have absolutely no idea how we start in the playoffs. I have outstanding trust in many players in my roster to be a starter player, and of course, I think with Frankie's development the last few weeks with the performance and also Danny, he is our -- very successful, very -- takes so much ownership, so much reliability in every game to make the right things, and in this direction, why not.