New York Red Bulls: Red Bulls find what works best, earn timely win vs Chicago

The New York Red Bulls did not play the prettiest 90 minutes of soccer in Illinois vs the Fire despite getting the win. However, they might have officially found what works best for them.

Right now, the New York Red Bulls lone job is to play the best soccer they have all season. The three-headed race at the top of the league standings is not going to wind down.

Between themselves, NYCFC, and Atlanta United, the Red Bulls are now in the best shape to perhaps win the Supporters’ Shield and make a run to the Cup that much easier.

How? Because no matter how good Atlanta or NYC is playing, the Red Bulls keep on winning too, no matter the circumstance. For now, the Red Bulls have a game in hand over Atlanta and only trail by one point for most in the league.

Aside from both an impressive home win and gritty road win in the span of six days to earn six points, the Red Bulls might have found what works best for them as the playoffs start becoming more and more guaranteed.

Getting a win for Head Coach Chris Armas in the house that he helped build was huge. But, for the second straight match, the Red Bulls had the perfect starting XI.

The trio of Bradley Wright-Phillips, Tyler Adams, and Daniel Royer continue to click. Usually Adams starts with the early touches while “BWP” or Royer finish the rest of it. That has at least been the trend the last two matches and then some.

Then, and it happened again vs the Fire, Armas makes the call to take out Kaku and put in a player like Alex Muyl  or Connor Lade to help hold the lead and get a more balanced offensive and defensive player in there.

The Red Bulls are playing really well right now and know whats at stake. They are at risk of having their best season ever and sill not wining the Shield.

Although they know the MLS Cup is the ultimate prize, why not shoot for something deserved and still possible like the Shield?

The Red Bulls have had the same starting XI the last two matches. And considering all other outside comps are over for them, that should remain the starting XI for the rest of the year. It is what is working best for them right now.

The Red Bulls continue their dominance on defense too. That seems to go to the way side some matches because of the dominance of BWP but another clean sheet for Luis Robles and the defense is key vs a team that can score.

The New York Red Bulls have obviously been a solid team all season so far. That is why they find themselves pulling away from the rest of the league and are on pace to do special things.

However, they have dropped or tied some questionable matches this year and the match on Saturday vs the Fire is one that there were some question marks.

Well, not anymore.

It looks apparent that the Red Bulls are finding what works best for them. This is after they already looked good vs some quality teams. They have now put the pressure on themselves to accomplish everything left to accomplish this year.

If they lose the Shield or the Cup to Atlanta, NYCFC, a surging Toronto FC, the new look LAFC, or whoever, then those squads are just better or got hot at the right time. Either way, there would be no excuses.

However, right now, the Red Bulls are better than all of them overall. They are just finding their true identity and continue to avoid putting themselves in a bad spot.

There is a lot of soccer left to play and New York’s original team might still not be perfect but this starting XI is in a groove right now and Armas is doing a respectable job.

As the season heats up, so will the intensity in the Red Bull matches. Buckle up, because it is crunch time.