The New York Red Bulls have boasted big-name players before, but the signing of Emil Forsberg has the feeling of the club’s most significant signing in a decade. The Swedish international will leave RB Leipzig for Major League Soccer in 2024 after 10 seasons in the Bundesliga and at 32 years old he still has plenty more to offer.
By Graham Ruthven
There was a time when Red Bull Arena was a common destination for stars looking for a new home in MLS. Thierry Henry played 135 games for RBNY with Tim Cahill and Rafa Márquez both notable signings around the same time. Along with the LA Galaxy, the Red Bulls were MLS’s marquee franchise.
As the league moved into a new era, though, RBNY were left behind. Newer franchises like Los Angeles FC, and more recently Inter Miami, moved to the front of the queue for big-name signings. The introduction of New York City FC to MLS in 2015 also changed the landscape in the Red Bulls’ own city with David Villa and Frank Lampard all ending up in sky blue, not red.
RBNY have still managed to maintain a respectable regular season record, qualifying for the play-offs for a record 14 successive seasons, but at no point over the last few years has it felt like the club is moving forward. Even worse than this, it’s often felt like there is no desire at ownership level to move the club forward.
Forsberg’s arrival in Harrison represents the first time the Red Bull pipeline has sent a player of any real note to MLS. RBNY have sent players (Tyler Adams, Caden Clark) and even a head coach (Jesse Marsch) to RB Leipzig, but had only ever received two players back in return – and one of them was Clark returning to MLS on loan.
This, combined with the appointment of former Mainz, Dynamo Moscow and Hertha Berlin manager Sandro Schwarz, hints at renewed ambition at Red Bull Arena. Having been a long way down the Red Bull pecking order, below RB Leipzig and even Red Bull Salzburg, for years, RBNY might now be able to build something of their own.
It’s not just that Forsberg is a big-name signing, although that certainly counts for something in a symbolic sense. The Swedish attacker is also accustomed to playing the high-risk, high-energy brand of football the Red Bull ownership group likes all its teams to play, meaning he should be able to get off to a quick start in MLS.
While 2023 wasn’t exactly a vintage year for RBNY, some foundations were put in place for Schwarz to build on as the new man in charge. The defensive basis of Andres Reyes, Sean Nealis and John Tolkin kept the Red Bulls competitive even as their attack struggled to produce. Now they have Forsberg to address the latter.
Red Bull’s global scouting network gives RBNY an edge in the transfer market, but a lack of investment has limited what the club can achieve in a recruitment sense. Red Bull also purposefully centres RBNY’s recruitment strategy around the signing and development of young players to funnel into their system. They want an American output to coach local talent in the Red Bull style of play.
When RBNY have spent money on players in recent years, they have struck out – see Dante Vanzeir, Patryk Klimala, Dru Yearwood and Josh Sims. Forsberg, however, is of a much higher calibre than any of the Red Bulls’ recent Designated Players and therefore stands a better chance of making a meaningful impression.
Eyes will be drawn to Inter Miami in 2024 as they continue to assemble the most star-laden squad in MLS history. Luis Suárez has joined Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba in South Florida, making Inter Miami MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield frontrunners in the eyes of many observers of the league. The Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati and Los Angeles FC also all have interesting things going on.
The New York Red Bulls haven’t been interesting in a long while, but this is in the process of changing ahead of the 2024 season. The Red Bull ownership group are finally paying some attention to the often ignored, under-appreciated sibling within its family. By moving from one family home to the other, Forsberg could have a profound impact.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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