When the Red Bulls released midfielder Tyler Adams for United States Under-20 international duty earlier this week, head coach Jesse Marsch r𓄧ecalled being down this road two years ago.
In 2015, the Red Bulls (16 points) allowed defender Matt Miazga to represent the United States in the U-20 World Cup in New Zealand — where Miazga grew as a player, quickly establishing himself as one of the United States’ most promising young players. That experience helped Miazga when he joined Chelsea, in the Premier League, and when ౠthe 21-year-old won the Eredivisie title with Vitesse on loan this season.
Though Marsch might not want Adams to move away from Red Bull Arena as quickly, he thinks the World Cup experience will be just as 🎃beneficial.
“I expect the same for Tyler [Adams],” said Marsch on the U-20 Wo𒁏rld Cup helping Adams establish ꩵhimself. “He’ll go and gain a lot of confidence.”
For Adams, who left this week for the tournament in South Korea, the move will be𒁃nefit the 19-year-old, who will face some of the world’s best younger players. Adams had started six of the Red Bulls’ past seven matches, playing effectively on the defe🏅nsive side of the midfield but also roaming up the field.
How Adams’ absence hurt⛦s the Red Bulls will only b🍸e told with time, but his exit could jump-start Sean Davis’ stalled season, who lost his starting role to Adams after three games.
“We know [Davis] will be able to pi♕ck up and play very well,” Marsch said before Sunday n﷽ight’s match against the L.A. Galaxy. “We’re excited for Sean, and we’re excited for him to have a big opportunity.”
Davis, who scored his first MLS goal against Los Angeles in 2016, initially replaced Dax McCarty in the Red Bulls’ starting lineup this season, but even after performing well, he struggled to keep his place with the emergence of Adams. Since losing his starting role, Davis ♛has struggled to see the field, starting just once in the past 🅷eight games.
Davis’ chance comes at a critical time, especially with the🌟 Red Bulls sc꧙rambling for points. After handing the Philadelphia Union their first win, 3-0, since last August last week, the Red Bulls picked up just three points in a tough three-game stretch.
Despite the hiccups, Marsch feels they just need to eliminate the amount🍬 of penalties they’ve surrendered, three penalty-kick goals, which is tied for the worst in MLS, to help right the 🔯ship. He also said he would like to see the team organized better earlier in matches.
“Results wise, I think we’re fine,” Marsch said. “But we’ve got to have an urgen🧸cy to what we do every day so that we continue to pu💫sh hard to take advantage.”
Luckily, the Red Bulls return home, where they are unbeaten in five matches this season. But their opponent, the Galaℱxy — who have struggle𝓡d since head coach Bruce Arena bolted for the U.S. national team job before the season — come off an impressive come-from-behind draw against the Chicago Fire last week. Though midfielder Jermaine Jones is now one of the Galaxy’s latest casualties, Marsch is aware the Red Bulls can’t sleep on Mexico international playmaker Giovani dos Santos and Los Angeles.
“[The Galaxy] have a lot of momentum in their team after the second half they played against Chicagoও,” Marsch said. “I think they’re going to come here with real confidence and competitive vigor so we have to be up for that challenge.”