Bradley Carnell’s complex New York Red Bulls
We interviewed Bradley Carnell last year before he had the opportunity to take over the New York Red Bulls on an interim basis as some of his quotes provided valuable insights to his strategies. He will continue with the side under Gerhard Struber but in his brief stewardship of the MLS side showed some interesting ideas within the Red Bull framework with a use of man-orientated pressing triggers, rapid vertical play after turnovers as he managed to guide his side into the playoffs. The 44-year-old showed the ability to develop as a Head Coach as it would be interesting to see one of his sides with a full pre-season as him moving to a Red Bull franchise like FC Liefering would prove to be a shrewd idea.
Build-up
Bradley Carnell utilised a modern-day Red Bull 4-2-2-2 shape as well as a 5-2-3 shape as some of the main ideas were a continuation from Chris Armas’ tenure where he had an active role in establishing the attacking shape. In the four-chain system, Carnell’s side would utilize a 2+3/2+4 build-up shape where the double-pivot would move to the same flank to create overloads and passing opportunities for the fullback in possession, so they could work quick one-touch vertical passing moves to create high quality crossing opportunities from the same flank. The ball-near deep-lying midfielder would move into the half-space with the ball-far midfielder tucking inside in the line behind him operating in a slightly higher vertical line as the ball-far midfielder may not receive possession in some passing sequences but would move to the flank to draw a marker from the opposition press or make a dummy run from the central areas into the wide areas to open a passing lane to the centre.
Carnell spoke to us about the ‘first pass’ after turnovers but this idea could also apply to early balls in between the lines in the build-up phase. The two deeper-lying midfielders are constantly moving off each other with dummy runs to open passing lanes but in the New York Red Bulls’ loss to Inter Miami, they would look for early searching passes in between the lines, especially to the nine space so the attackers could flick-on to runners in behind to establish breaking situations or lay-off the ball to establish themselves in the opposition half. In one sequence, Florian Valot was in the six-space as Dru Yearwood was the ball-near midfielder who received possession for Valot to push higher while Yearwood would act as the deepest-lying midfielder before playing a pass to an attacker in the nine-space who would drop deep to lay-off to Valot who was now in an advanced position.
The deeper-lying midfielders would constantly interchange in the six-space when the ball moved to the fullback to create space one midfielder to receive possession while the other pushed into the next line. In the wide areas, it gave the side numerical and spacial superiority with the possibilities to work quick one-touch passing sequences to release an attacker into the channels for a high quality low crossing situations or work a pass for an attacker in the nine-space to drop deep and lay-off for his side to switch the ball for the ball-far overlapping fullback on the weak side or flick in behind for a winger on the flank to have a crossing opportunity .
Early passes were a staple of Carnell’s New York Red Bulls but to make them effective, well-timed movements in between the lines to create one-touch lay-offs or flick-ons for the player receiving the early ball need to be rehearsed and perfected. Away to Orlando FC, the Red Bulls had one instance where they moved the ball to the left-back as the ball-near winger made a fantastic dummy run to open a passing lane to the nine space but the move was halted because the striker also moved to the wide areas while the full-back released the ball to the area he had just vacated for the opposition centre-back to intercept the pass. It was a misunderstanding in a passing sequence that could have been remedied if Carnell had a pre-season to work with his squad.
In some games, Carnell was forced to utilize right-back, Kyle Duncan who is naturalised right-back at left-back as the 23-year-old would be forced to receive the ball or turn past teammates and look to work connections out of pressure. In our interview, Carnell lauded Duncan’s running ability and energy, but the young American is a skilled footballer who possesses an ability to establish vertical connections with brilliant one-touch passing as well as evading pressure with his dribbling. He seemed limited on the left flank but had moments where he showcased his transitional ability like when he received possession from his centre-back but was unable to work the one-touch pass on his weaker left foot so he drove back to his own goal and spin past his man to lob a pass downfield for a lay-off and a direct pass in behind for a teammate to go 1v1 with the keeper. Duncan would also tuck inside to receive possession in the central areas to drive the ball forward or instigate vertical passing connections.
When Carnell spoke about Duncan, he also spoke about transition and it showed against Inter Miami when a long ball from the opposition was headed into his path for him to swivel past his marker, drove forward to work a one-two with Omir Fernandez to beat three opposition players and drive the ball inside to switch the ball for a high-quality low crossing opportunity. The 23-year-old American right-back certainly seemed more comfortable and effective on his natural right side but provided two integral transitional moments. Overloading one flank to attract pressure and switch the ball to the far side was a staple of Carnell’s build-up play as it allowed his fullbacks to make timed overlapping runs with greater efficiency and effectiveness.
I don’t like my fullbacks to get ahead of the ball when the ball is on the other side. If we lose the ball and our counter-press is slightly late and we don’t do a good job of the counter-pressing, teams will hurt us on that side as well. We always have to be in a good vicinity of the opposition but always ready to be on the front foot. Always asking questions like if I take a half a step past your shoulder, can I recover? If we make it through from two quick series of passes, can I exploit a space and get behind the opposition? It’s a game of cat and mouse, it’s calculated risk, it’s risk management but we find it very rewarding for sure.
In certain situations one fullback will play the ball back to his centre-back who will work a pass to the centre-back on the far side to complete the switch to the fullback on the weak side who will have the space to push up with the midfielders shifting across to supporting, the central striker dropping deeper and closer to receive possession while also facilitating an interchange of positions with the ball-near winger. In the build-up phase and attacking phase, the striker dropping deep to receive possession with the winger tucking inside to occupy the nine space while the striker will veer outside him as an extra man to disorient the opposition defence create space in the wide and central areas is a regular sequence used by Carnell’s New York Red Bulls as well as other sides coached by Red Bull coaching alumni.
The New York Red Bulls would also work sequences where they would move the ball into the second-line as the ball-far winger would tuck inside, creating space for a switch ball to the weak side for an overlapping fullback. Carnell’s side would also switch the ball for timed overlaps from the fullbacks in the final third as his fullbacks would have deeper starting positions, either side of the midfielders in the 2+3/2+4 build-up shape, pushing forward as play progresses and overlapping when the space presents itself rather than starting in higher positions.
Carnell’s side would also operate as a 3+1 build-up shape in their three-chain system as the deepest-lying midfielder would rarely move from side to side to receive possession from the wide centre-backs and create better passing angles. When the ball was moved into the wide areas, the deepest-lying midfielder in the six-space would hold his position for the centre-back to push the ball forward for the wing-back, attacker and midfielder in the half-space to drop deep and receive possession or work a direct pass down the lines. The back three would also circulate possession amongst each other to move the ball to fullback as the attacker and midfielder in the half-space would drop closer to him to receive possession, turn and switch the ball or open a passing lane for ball into the channels or a direct pass to the attackers in the nine space.
In the sequence above, the wide centre-back has pushed up, the deepest-lying central midfielder is holding his position in the six-space while the wing-back, attacker in the half-space have moved into the zone to act as option for rapid vertical passing interchanges. The New York Red Bulls have created a 4v3 overload in that zone as one of the opposition strikers is being occupied by the deepest-lying midfielder who he is tasked with marking as if he moves to correct the overload, space opens up for the player in the six-space to receive possession and work an early pass to the nine space for lay-off opportunities or switch the ball to the weak side. In this sequence, the numerical superiority helped as the wide centre-back pushed up to work a pass to the wide areas which was blocked as the player in the half-space flicked the pass to his teammate in space who had the space to work a pass into the nine space for Daniel Royer to work a back-heel as Carnell’s side managed to get into a good area but did not create a high quality opportunity.
The situation above is a situation that Carnell’s side utilize to establish quick vertical connections in transition as the right-sided centre-back could swivel and work a pass to the most central player to lay-off for a six-space for a deeper-pass into the nine space while the player who worked the ball to the nine space will push into the higher areas to receive a lay-off of his own from the nine space. The wide centre-back could also turn and play a pass to the six-space as the deepest-lying midfielder will switch the ball to the far side for a high-quality crossing opportunity. There is also the possibility for the wide centre-back to play a longer pass for a striker running into the channels who will receive possession with a player moving inside him in the half-space to receive possession, another player moving into the position he vacated in the box and a player available for an easier pass at the top of the box or in the wide areas. Carnell’s side will regularly overload one flank before switching to the weak side.
Carnell’s side utilizes constant movement in the six-space as his team were also not averse to vacating the six-space to give space for the centre-backs to push forward with the ball with the strikers dropping into space to receive line-breaking passes or midfielders making themselves available in the central pockets or half-spaces. The deepest-lying midfielder will also drop into the deeper areas to receive possession to swivel and switch the ball to the weak side for an attacking opportunity. Vacating the six-space allowed the New York Red Bulls to create numerical superiorities in the second line for the centre-backs to play direct balls in between the line while the MLS side drew their opposition to one flank before switching the ball to the opposite flank.
In the build-up phase, there were some sequences where the back-three circulated the ball effectively with the three-chain to turn and switch the ball to create attacking situations. This including quick passing interchanges with the deepest-lying midfielder moving into the wide areas to create a triangle with the wide centre-back and centre-back who could circulate the ball with the wide centre-back playing the ball to the central centre-back to attract pressure before releasing the ball to the deepest-lying midfielder who could then swivel and switch the ball to the weak side. An integral part of this move would be either Cristian Casseres Jr or Dru Yearwood in the six-space, receiving possession to turn and switch the ball as in one situation away to Orlando City FC, Casseres lost possession. Although, Carnell’s New York Red Bulls preferred to push the ball up and work passes in between the lines for overloads and quick connections, utilizing the deepest-lying midfielder as build-up conduit by having him move to the flanks to create triangles with the centre-backs could have been used more for wide vertical transitions or switching opportunities to the weak side.
Attacking Play
In their attacking play, Carnell’s New York Red Bulls looked to be more vertical and direct with creating high quality crossing opportunities from the deeper wide areas or lower crossing opportunities from the half-space and touchline. As with teams coached by Red Bull alumni, the striker’s and wingers would switch positions to drag opposition players out of position and create spaces in the wide areas and the half-spaces. However, more importantly, Carnell’s side would look to work passes into the nine space as early and as often as possible as this created the opportunity for lay-off or flick-on opportunities from high quality shots around the box. Carnell’s side would find spaces in these areas through dummy runs to draw opposition markers and open spaces in these areas for quick combinations. Some of these combinations did not work as Carnell’s side may have lacked the time on the training pitch to properly implement these routines.
In the situation above, the New York Red Bulls ended up working a deeper cross from the flank as there are opportunities for vertical passing routines. There is a player making a run to the half-space who is occupying both an opposition centre-back and an opposition midfielder as the player in possession may not play the ball directly to him despite him being in space but will allow him to make his run to the wide areas and drag the midfielder out of position to open up space for his teammate in the ten space where his side have numerical superiority in between the lines. The player in the ten space may then receive possession with the central striker who is in an offside position, dropping back into an onside position before making a run on the opposite side of his defender to receive a pass and have a shooting opportunity. However, this situation may not be optimal as his shooting opportunity may not be goal-side of his opponent.
The player in the ten space may also work an angled one touch pass for the attacker or full-back making a run in behind in the half-space with players with the New York Red Bulls having someone make a run to the near-post, another making a run into the centre with another player making a run to the top of the box for a cut-back where the MLS side could generate a high quality opportunity from a crossing situation. Carnell’s side’s numbers allow them to be in an advantageous situation from a crossing opportunity as once possession is moved into the wide areas for a crossing situation then players can make runs to drag defenders out of position and create space for a teammate at the top of the box for a cut-back opportunity.
Switching is an integral facet of most of Carnell’s side’s play in the possession phase as the player in the ten space can receive possession to switch the ball to the weak side for a crossing opportunity into the box. The player in possession could then turn to work a back-pass to the goalkeeper or one of the centre-backs who will then shift the ball to the far side where the fullback will drop deeper to receive possession as the striker positioned in the left-half-space will drop deeper into the half-space with his teammate in the ten space then moving into the area he vacated in the nine space. The ball-far centre-back can push up before working a pass in between the lines or to the fullback as pushing up allows him to create a better passing angle for himself.
If the New York Red Bulls work a ball into the channels, then the midfielder who moved into the nine space will chase the ball into the channels with the deeper-lying striker making a veering run inside him into his original position as these movements create the opportunity to disorient opposition defenders and create space for near post crosses. The fullback will make a supporting movement as a deeper-lying passing option or will make a late underlapping run if his teammate is marked in the wide areas to receive possession and cut-back into the box or if his teammate manages to cut inside and dribble, he will make a late overlapping run receive the ball on the flank and cross. These late overlapping or underlapping runs could also create space for the player to have better options to work a vertical pass into the centre. If the fullback is in the higher wider areas and the ball moves to his flank, he will make a movement into the half-space with the ball-near midfielder or winger moving into the wide areas to create space for a pass.
If Carnell’s side shifted the ball to the opposite flank, most of their players in between the lines would shift to the opposite flank to give the centre-back more passing options while utilizing player spacing to create opportunities for vertical one-touch passing moves to create shooting opportunities. The defensive block would also shift to close down the opposite flank which would leave the fullback on the weak side in space for a switch ball to the weak side for the New York Red Bulls to have another crossing opportunity. The New York Red Bulls also like to have deeper crossing situations where the attackers have opportunities to make runs in behind opposition centre-backs to have tap-in opportunities as early crosses give attackers the opportunities to make runs behind their defenders who will be slower at defending the space due to being positioned with a vertical body shape making it more difficult to turn and defender the space behind them.
Carnell’s side would normally circulate the ball by quick triangular vertical connections as players will make blind-sided movements and dummy runs in between the lines to create space and open passing lanes to receive possession. The goal is to create space for passes to the strikers in the nine space who will lay off the ball to trigger third man runs in behind for lobs and passes in behind while lay-offs from the nine space can also create shooting opportunities for teammates. Attackers will also drop out of the nine space if space is opened up to receive possession while players are encouraged to make runs off the player in possession to drag opposition defenders out of position while moving into areas for passes, especially in and around the box.
Under Carnell, the New York Red Bulls could also be direct with lobbed balls into runners in behind, early crosses and shots from range as this could be a tactical facet of the game or due to the South African coach not having the time to rehearse routines on the training ground. There were situations where the MLS side worked the ball into good areas with good movement and runs being made off the player in possession to lay-off the ball and a teammate to have shot from range despite having passing options. However, in our interview, Carnell expressed an interest in learning from Nagelsmann’s RB Leipzig who are more possession orientated.
It’s interesting to see and study the different ways of the approach of Julian Nagelsmann and it’s something that we, even the Head Coach [Chris Armas] has visited Leipzig and gone through that and spoken to Julian. Even we’re expanding and explore different avenues of how to manipulate the opposition, not only without the ball, how can we manipulate them with the ball now. It’s an ever-evolving process but always keeping the core fundamentals in place.
Under Armas, Carnell was in charge of coaching the attacking sides as he talked about rehearsing attacking moves and using video analysis to improve the attacking unit. Some of his attacking moves in the opposition half are intriguing as his side was not possession orientated and preferred to move the ball quickly and vertically with constant switching but there was the use of dummy runs, blind-sided movements and timed movements into space to receive lay-offs or runs in behind to receive through balls. There was also the heavy use of third man concepts in the opposition half as it would be interesting to see him drill these concepts after an intense pre-season.
Counter-pressing
It is about manipulating the space that the opposition is moving the ball into and it is about pressing collectively as if one player does not do his job, his system will fail hence the concept of the system will be the playmaker because the system forces the turnover, forces the transition and now puts our players in a better position to excel with their decision making. It’s a real dedication and a real commitment to getting forward to end up in the opposition final third as quickly as possible.
New York Red Bulls both under Chris Armas and Carnell creating chances after turnovers from pressing and counter-pressing situations at a high rate which was quite intriguing. The team are well-versed at swarming the opposition side in possession to force turnovers before looking to create opportunities. Once possession is lost, New York Red Bull players would aggressively swarm the opposition player in possession as the closest player to the turnover would push up to close down the opposition player in possession. The MLS side were not only highly successful in regaining possession at the point of the turnover but also in forcing the opposition into mistakes with loose passes that a New York Red Bulls player would push up to intercept. The defensive line would push up once possession was lost to force a turnover and allow Carnell’s side to be tighter with the player spacing and to press the opposition and force them into turnovers.
The New York Red Bulls will also counter-press ferociously if they lose possession in the opposition box, if a player works a cross into the opposition box and the striker mis controls then either the striker or player that made the cross will engage the opposition player in possession. Teammates will also swarm the opposition players in the box with the defensive line pushing up to force a long ball or a loose pass to win the turnover in the opposition box. If the New York Red Bulls lost possession in a wide vertical passing move, Carnell’s side would counter-press as usual but if the opposition moved the ball back to the keeper, the wide player closest to the keeper would not push up to engage the opposition keeper and centre-backs in the box. Instead, the New York Red Bulls would hold off to restructure into their pressing shape with players taking up their man-marking responsibilities before the central striker will push up to apply pressure on the keeper with his teammates man-marking the opposition players to force a long ball. Structure was integral to Carnell’s side as if the ball moved back to the keeper they would alternate into their standard pressing shape with their normal man-orientated responsibilities.
But when the ball turns over for sure, we want to look forward, we have a concept of the first pass forward, we want to find the open space, we want to operate our players in advanced areas ahead of the ball and we want to find players who are unopposed. That’s where we are at our most dangerous and now we are working at causing transition out of possession, we try to get these concepts going, how can we move the ball quickly in the possession phase, moving the ball into a certain area of the field to get to the goal quickly.
Carnell’s and the Red Bull concept of the first pass forward after turnovers is a very intriguing concept as after turnovers, his side would work vertical third man routines in open space to create opportunities while the opposition were out of shape. The close player spacing allowed them to work a pass forward to a player in the ten space which would trigger a third man run in behind before the player would try to find him with a pass. Runs would continue to be made off the ball as the MLS side would look to create penetrative options for the player in possession after the turnover.
The first pass forward is especially crucial when the New York Red Bulls regain possession in their own half and are looking to instigate a counter but when they regain possession in the opposition half, a simple lay-off for a deeper player to drive a deep pass forward will normally suffice. Once they regain possession in the opposition half, they will normally play a simpler pass for a player in space who will then look to instigate the third man combinations to create opportunities. If they win possession on the flanks, they will also work quick connections to create low crossing opportunities.
Pressing
Under Carnell, the New York Red Bulls had many variations of their pressing shape such as a standard Red Bull 4-2-2-2. 4-2-3-1, 4-2-4 and a 5-2-3 medium block. The first three formations are all seamlessly interchangeable throughout a game as Carnell’s side would look to adapt the man-orientations, deny the opposition access to the central areas and force them wide or look to press the keeper. Against Cincinatti FC, Carnell’s side started the game pressing as 5-2-3 but alternated to a four at the back system as the 5-2-3 is a medium block where Carnell’s side would use certain pressing triggers to push up and engage the opposition to win turnovers.
In the photo above, the New York Red Bulls are pressing as 4-2-3-1 but they can also change to a 4-4-2 if the opposition switch to a two-chain as well as a 4-2-4 if they are looking deny the opposition direct passing access to their central midfielders. In the sequence above, the New York Red Bulls are focused on pressing the opposition three-chain with the right winger marking the opposition left centre-back, the left winger is tucked inside to mark the deepest-lying midfielder while a pass to the opposition right sided centre-back is being teased. If the opposition manage to release the ball to the right sided centre-back, that will act as a trigger for the left winger to engage him while the ball-near midfielder will move to mark the opposition deepest-lying midfielder with the fullback pushing forward to mark the wing-back.
If Carnell’s side switched to a 4-2-4 then the striker would drop deep to create a front four and deny the opposition passing access to the three deeper-lying midfielders in between the lines. The opposition would have a 3v2 numerical superiority in behind the first line of pressure which would be remedied by one of the central strikers keeping the spare midfielder in his cover shadow while the two New York Red Bulls midfielders mark the other midfielders. When possession is moved to the wide areas or played behind the first line, the ball-near fullback will push up to regain possession and supplement the midfield. One of Carnell’s favoured pressing triggers is when the opposition centre-backs move possession into the wide areas where the New York Red Bulls will apply pressure with the wide player and fullback pushing up to press while the ball-near midfielder will close the passing lane into the centre. The central striker will also close the passing lane to the centre-back to force a back-pass to the keeper which the New York Red Bulls will push up to press to force the long ball or a turnover.
In the situation above, the New York Red Bulls are utilising a tighter 4-2-4 press and utilizing another of Carnell’s favoured pressing triggers which is an opposition centre-back spending time on the ball or looking to drive the ball forward. If an opposite centre-back takes a touch and spends time on the ball looking to progress play, a New York Red Bulls striker in his zone is tasked with pushing up to apply pressure while if he decides to drive the ball forward this will act as another trigger for pressure. One striker has pushed up to press the ball while another has the opposition’s deepest-lying midfielder in his cover shadow while one midfielder is marking the opposition midfielder in the zone, that the striker who is moving up to press was covering, as his midfield partner is shuttling across to cover the other striker.
The New York Red Bulls have kept the spaces in between the lines small so that players can cover for each other as if the opposition work a deep pass forward, the centre-backs can push up to make the interception and regain possession. The fullbacks have also been pushed up higher to push up to press the wide areas if the ball is moved into those areas while to also tuck inside and regain possession in midfield to supplement the two midfielders. The opposition central centre-back in possession has no avenues into his central midfielders so is forced to play a back-pass which would initiate higher press or work a pass into one of his wide centre-backs which would also initiate a higher press. He could play a switch to the left back as the New York Red Bulls fullback, central midfielder and winger will shift across to create a 3v1 to win possession as Carnell’s side are in a prime position to win a turnover.
Teams are really going to play their way and we’re going to play our way, we can always go very high and implement the high press. We’ve been working on a lot of new other concepts this offseason, trying to get better, not just being an all-out press all the time. At times, we might accept a little bit of pressure, absorb a little bit pressure.
In our interview with him, Carnell intimated that his side would look to defend in a moderately deeper block than a constant high press as whenever he utilized his 5-2-3 formation, his side would sit in a medium block, awaiting certain pressing triggers before pushing up to regain possession. However, the pressing triggers would remain the same as the ones his side utilized when they used a four man back-line. This formation allowed the New York Red Bulls to tease passes into the central lines where an opposition player could have an errant first touch in a tight space for the midfielders to push up and three attackers retreat to win a turnover and spring an attack from a high area while reserving energy and assessing risk.
In the situation above, the New York Red Bulls are defending in their 5-2-3 medium block as the opposition centre-back has received possession in the wide areas and has spent time in possession which has led to the New York Red Bulls’ left-sided attacker pushing up to apply pressure. The ball-near wing-back has also pushed up to close the passing lane to the opposition midfielder in the opposition’s right half-space while being in possession to apply pressure on the opposition fullback if the ball moves into that area. The central striker is closing down the midfielder in the six-space while also looking to close the passing lane to him as if he moves to press in the wide areas, the ball-far attacker has tucked in and will take up his responsibility.
Keeping the spaces tight is as important as in Carnell’s other pressing shapes as in this medium block, the New York Red Bulls would like to tease passes in between the lines before winning turnovers and counter-attacking. For instance, if the opposition centre-back managed to thread a pass to his teammate in the left half-space, the fullback, ball-near midfielder, striker will converge on him to force the turnover while the New York Red Bulls’ centre-back will also push up. Once they regain possession, a ball can played to the central striker to lay-off to a teammate with his strike partner making a run in behind and both fullbacks pushing forward on the flanks as Carnell’s side will win a turnover and look to establish a quick break.
Keeping the spaces tight is also integral for players covering for each other as if the ball moves to the flank, the wide attacker can move into the wide areas to press with the wing-back holding his position and creating press security while the central attacker moves across to mark the centre-back while keeping the midfielder in that zone in his cover shadow. The ball-far attacker will tuck inside to mark the six-space. The team can also adapt and shift into situations as a unit, especially with passes in between the lines as the attackers and midfielders will converge on the player in possession to win the turnovers and break as a unit. The centre-backs can also push up to regain early passes in between the lines while the midfielders will be on hand to recycle the turnovers and instigate counter-attacking moves.
Defensive Shape
Carnell’s side would defend in a tight 4-4-2 defensive block looking close down the spaces in between the central lines and force the opposition into the wide areas where the New York Red Bulls would have numerical superiority to regain possession. The spaces in between the lines are tight in order to maintain rigidity in the defensive shape as there will be both man-marking and zonal marking responsibilities with the two central midfielders marking opposition midfielders in their zone while the wingers will tuck inside to support them in closing down spaces and passing lanes. The centre-backs will also push into the midfield line to regain possession as Carnell stressed the importance of defending and attacking as a unit.
In the sequence above, the spaces in between the defensive line and the midfield line as well as the midfield line and attacking line are tight as the New York Red Bulls have forced the opposition into the wide areas. They have a 2v1 numerical superiority on the opposition winger as the winger and fullback have shifted across to regain possession while the fullback, Kyle Duncan is gesturing to his teammate to defend the man and space behind him. This could also be seen as a 3v1 with the ball-near midfielder moving in front of his marker to close the passing lane while engaging the opposition winger in possession. Behind him, the whole defensive line has shifted to the ball-near flank to facilitate the turnover as the ball-near striker has also tucked inside to further his side’s numerical superiority on the flank. The ball-far winger has also tucked inside to cover an opposition central midfielder for the midfielder closest to him.
The opposition striker is marked by both centre-backs with the centre-back in his zone being tasked with pushing up to regain possession if he receives the ball. If the ball is played to the opposition player in the half-space then the ball-near midfielder, fullback and winger will engage him to force the turnover with the ball-near striker being the outball for a pass into the channels where the winger will make an underlapping movement inside of him to fill the nine space while the fullback makes a supporting run. If the opposition wide player makes a back-pass then the New York Red Bulls will push up to apply pressure on the ball to force a turnover in the opposition half or a long ball.
The numerical superiorities are key for Carnell’s side as when the ball moves into the wide areas, he will normally have a 3v1 to regain possession while his side could maintain man-orientated marking responsibilities in the centre of the pitch. This has its benefits and drawbacks as there were situations when New York Red Bulls defenders moved out of a zone as a unit to chase man-marking responsibilities for the opposition to find space with runners and movements. However, the tight and rigid positioning of the defensive line allows players to cover for each other when their teammates are drawn out of position like the winger for his central midfielder in the picture above while the centre-backs are always willing to push up and regain possession by pushing up to make timely interventions.
Carnell’s idea of the ‘first pass’ applies here as well as it is possibly more pertinent in this phase of play than any other phase of play. After regaining possession, Carnell’s side would usually utilize a deep pass to an attacker to instigate an attacking move as the attacker will have space and runners around him to switch the ball to the opposition weak side in a breaking situation to create a high-quality opportunity. The New York Red Bulls were good at stringing together attacking moves through triangular vertical connections in the opposition half with the wingers and central strikers switching positions, Kaku providing creativity with switch balls and through balls into runners as Carnell’s side were impressive at creating high quality attacking situations after turnovers.
Conclusion
During Bradley Carnell’s short tenure as interim Head Coach, his side had some games where they underperformed and won while they had some games where his side overperformed and lost. He was a candidate to take over on a full-time basis, but he will continue to be a valued member of Gerhard Struber’s coaching staff as he was with Chris Armas and Jesse Marsch. He has also shown that he has the ideas to take over a club within the Red Bull network or outside the Red Bull network as he uses a coaching education with ideals embedded by Ralf Rangnick and other members of the Stuttgart movement as well as his own ideas of football. It will be interesting to keep an eye on the South African’s progress as he continues with his coaching career abroad.
