Some people can talk the talk, but New York Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch is proving he can also walk the walk.
In the buildup to their road trip to Columbus, Marsch insisted that his team would stick with their high-energy, high-press tactics despite playing a top team away from home. After Saturday’s 2-1 triumph away to Columbus Crew SC, it’s clear that his preaching did not fall on deaf ears.
“I thought that we handled the pace of the game really well,” Marsch said postgame. “It was a fast game and they were good at spreading the field, but we were able to stay after them and when we won balls we were able to find advantages forward.”
After enduring a rocky first half in which the Red Bulls were outpossessed, Marsch stuck to his guns, confident that the same approach that has worked so well this season would continue to reap its rewards.
Seemingly pushing all the right buttons this season, Marsch saw his substitutions follow suit. After inserting Mike Grella into the match in the 66th minute, the midfielder bagged the winner just a minute later as his audacious chip from outside the area beat Crew goalkeeper Steve Clark, and in the process etched his name in the record books.
“I just thought it was the right thing to do; it was instinct,” Grella said after scoring the 1000th goal in franchise history. “That’s great, that’s the cherry on top. But to get the winning goal for these guys and to be a part of this is fantastic.”
As was the case against D.C. United a week prior, the Red Bulls' relentless work rate on the defensive side of the ball sparked production on the attacking end. Despite the high demand it warrants from all 10 field players, they have no qualms with this new system.
“We’re really enjoying it and you can see how much it’s working out,” Grella added. “Teams are on their back foot and we’re all over them. My goal came from that; we won the ball up high and it fell nicely for me. So far everyone’s enjoying it and you can see it’s very effective.”
Leading into the match, the two contrasting styles implemented by Marsch and Columbus head coach Gregg Berhalter figured to be one the decisive factors on the night. In the end, the Red Bulls and Marsch simply had one more answer for each Crew response.
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“In the buildup in the second half, we were able to space ourselves a little bit better and find ways to put them on their heels and give them trouble,” Marsch added. “I thought we managed the game well [in the second half].
“Dax [McCarty] dropping deep helped us in possession a little bit. We were just a little bit sharper overall. We put good press on them, we were able to pick off some balls, and we punished them.”
With Saturday’s win marking the first road victory of the Marsch era, the Red Bulls boss sees the performance as in indication of things to come.
“This team just keeps pushing and keeps coming together,” Marsch stated. “I really like these guys. That’s the major feeling you have right now. There’s something happening here and I think we all can feel it.”
Eric Giacometti covers the New York Red Bulls for MLSsoccer.com.
