The New York Red Bulls are about to hit the midseason mark, make a run in the US Open Cup, and seek new transfers.

RBNY Current Form:

  • LLDWL
  • 6th in East
  • 20 pts. 15 matches played
  • Next Matches (June 14 vs. NYCFC, June 18 at Philadelphia)

(Part 1 of 3 Grades at bottom)

What is form? Where do I find it? How is it created/lost?

Form can be defined as multiple elements of play which constitute how a player or team is performing. Usually form can be viewed as technique, but in this case form is used to describe the condition of a player/team. For instance, Bradley Wight-Phillips’s form in 2016 was great. Meaning that he played well.

Form can be increased, decreased, gained or lost. When a player or team may be performing poorly some may say, “that team lost their form,” or, “I think that player’s form has increased.” While interpretations vary there is one point of agreement, form is ubiquitous throughout soccer. Form, although slightly different from other sports use of the word, is important to both teams and individual players.

This may seem obvious, but bare with me soccer fans as the term ‘form’ can take on various meanings and cause quite the controversy. For simplicity’s sake, I will describe how I determine form and apply it to RBNY’s current standing in the 2017 MLS season.

For the sake of clear measurement, I will determine form by statistics. Wins, losses, ties, goals, assists, pass completion, are some categories that I will consider. While ambiguous categories such as leadership and effort undoubtedly are important, I will not consider them here solely because they are nearly impossible to measure.

I am not one for grading, but dependent upon variances in form compared to last year I will issue a (+), (-), or (=) which signifies improvement, digression, or same. Measurement will be between last years total averages compared to this year’s average after 15 games.

Defensive Players (Defenders and Goalie)

Aurelien Collin (+)

2016 (23 games played)

  • .43 shots/game
  • .09 assists/game
  • .39 shutout percentage (when played)
  • .30 yellow cards/game

2017 (5 games played)

  • 1.0 shots/game
  • 0.0 assists/game
  • .60 shutout percentage (when played)
  • .20 yellow cards/game

While Collin has not played for most of the games this season, when he did he made a difference. Collin contributed to most of the wins this season which happened to be shutouts.

Connor Lade (=)

2016 (18 games played)

  • .83 shots/game
  • .06 assists/game
  • .33 shutout percentage (when played)
  • .22 yellow cards/game

2017 (7 games played)

  • .14 shots/game
  • 0.0 assists/game
  • .30 shutout percentage (when played)
  • .43 yellow cards/game

I gave Connor Lade an equal grade because, despite constant setbacks, Lade contributed to nearly all of RBNY’s shutout and wins this season.

Kemar Lawrence (+)

2016 (21 games played)

  • .30 shots/game
  • 0.0 assists/game
  • .24 shutout percentage (when played)
  • .14 yellow cards/game

2017 (13 games played)

  • .69 shots/game
  • .23 assists/game
  • .31 shutout percentage (when played)
  • .23 yellow cards/game

Kemar Lawrence has noticeably improved since last season. He is RBNY’s best defender at the moment as he was involved with most wins and shutouts this season. His offensive assists and shots also increased as he has looked to get forward in every game so far this season.

May 27, 2017; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips (99) dribbles the ball while New England Revolution defender Antonio Delamea Mlinar (19) and midfielder Laglais Kouassi (12) defend during the second half at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Bergmann-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Long (+)

2017 (15 games played)

  • .60 shots/game
  • 0.0 assists/game
  • .26 shutout percentage (when played)
  • .13 yellow cards/game

Aaron Long received a (+) because while he did not play last year, he has made a high impact on RBNY’s defense this season.

Damien Perrinelle (=)

2016 (10 games played)

  • .10 shots/game
  • 0.0 assists/game
  • .40 shutout percentage (when played)
  • .20 yellow cards/game

2017 (12 games played)

  • .50 shots/game
  • .08 assists/game
  • .25 shutout percentage (when played)
  • .08 yellow cards/game

Offensively, Perrinelle has stepped up shooting more than he did last season. However, his shutout percentage is lower and as a defender, that weighs heavily.

Sal Zizzo (=)

2016 (28 games played)

  • .64 shots/game
  • .07 assists/game
  • .25 shutout percentage (when played)
  • .07 yellow cards/game

2017 (10 games played)

  • .10 shots/game
  • .10 assists/game
  • .30 shutout percentage (when played)
  • .10 yellow cards/game

Zizzo had not contributed offensively compared to last year, but his shutout percentage is nearly equivalent which earned him a (=) grade.

Luis Robles (=)

2016 (34 games played)

  • .32 shutout percentage
  • 2.9 saves/game
  • 1.29 goals against/game
  • .25 pk goal save percentage

2017 (15 games played)

  • .26 shutout percentage
  • 3.4 saves/game
  • 1.4 goals against/game
  • .17 pk goal save percentage

Luis Robles earned a (=). While the numbers are close, Robles has been the backbone for this team. He has been reliable this season, unfortunately poor offense and defensive mistakes contribute to the team’s poor standing.

Offensive Players:

  • Bradley Wright-Phillips (-)
  • Daniel Royer (+)
  • Alex Muyl (+)
  • Felipe (-)
  • Sacha Kljestan (-)
  • Mike Grella (-)
  • Sean Davis (=)
  • Gonzalo Veron (-)

The New York Red Bulls defensive performance is what has been keeping them in games. While their defensive effort has been relatively solid, the team’s offense is making the team struggle. No defensive player seems to be performing worse than last year. With about half of the season still to play is RBNY’s defense remains consistent they should come out in a familiar MLS Cup playoff qualifying place.

Be sure to check out the future part 3 of 3 where I will be evaluating the entire’s team performance of the first half of the season.