Soccer <\/p>\n
CARSON, Calif. \u2013 Flashback to November 4, 2023.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
After besting Charlotte FC<\/a>, 5-2<\/a>, in the Wild Card Round, the New York Red Bulls<\/a> were ousted from the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs by FC Cincinnati<\/a> in a two-game sweep. RBNY had completed 14 straight years of postseason soccer, with not one Philip F. Anschutz Trophy to show for it.<\/p>\n Quickly, the offseason began with Red Bulls fans crying out for a high-level Designated Player who could finally get them over the hump. Fast forward to December 16, 2023, and New York got their man.<\/p>\n Emil Forsberg<\/a> stepped into the New York spotlight.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n After an illustrious European career in which he became a UEFA Champions League regular at RB Leipzig, won two DFB Pokal trophies and featured at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and two European Championships, the Swedish midfielder arrived in the Big Apple with a point to prove.<\/p>\n \u201cI came to win,\u201d Forsberg said before New York face LA Galaxy<\/a> on Saturday afternoon for MLS Cup 2024 presented by Audi (4 pm ET | Apple TV – Free<\/a>; FOX, FOX Deportes, TSN, TDS).<\/p>\n \u201cNothing else. That\u2019s the ultimate goal, to win. I came here to win. I can\u2019t speak about what was before. But when I came, I had one clear goal and that was to win.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n From the moment he was introduced to his teammates, moving from Red Bull’s German outpost to the MLS branch, it was apparent the Bundesliga veteran intended to be a difference-maker. He was ready to help change the club\u2019s trajectory, a motivating factor in why he was quickly handed the captain\u2019s armband.<\/p>\n \u201cHis presence just brings a calmness,\u201d said defender Dylan Nealis<\/a>. \u201cThe experience he has is second to none, Champions League and all that. He\u2019s played in the biggest games and getting us relaxed in these moments is huge. And his presence on the field is remarkable.<\/p>\n \u201cHe just kind of creates things for us. We don\u2019t have to worry much. Just get the ball to Emil\u2019s feet and let him do his thing.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n New Red Bull club. Same Emil excellence. pic.twitter.com\/3LBNTeHLc5<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) December 1, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Homegrown left back John Tolkin<\/a> added that Forsberg\u2019s influence extends beyond just the pitch.<\/p>\n \u201cYou see some guys who maybe come in here, they\u2019re stars and maybe they don’t want to be here, maybe they have big egos,\u201d Tolkin said. \u201cHe’s really so down to Earth. He’ll talk to everybody on the team, whether it’s the cleaning people at our facility or the top guys. I have a lot of respect for that \u2026 and it makes guys want to win for him too.\u201d<\/p>\n With Forsberg on the field this season, the Red Bulls have been a force to be reckoned with. He\u2019s provided a balance, while still offering explosiveness and tenacity in attack. And the stats back it up. When healthy, New York boasted a 11W-6L-6D record, as opposed to the 3W-9L-3D record when he was unavailable.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can see the form he brings to the team,\u201d said homegrown midfielder Peter Stroud<\/a>. \u201cI think I saw a graphic the other day, we definitely win a lot more when he\u2019s on the field. So missing him was huge, and to have him back is a game changer.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n One more to go. ???? pic.twitter.com\/qUXqEAR0Yr<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 4, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Unfortunately for RBNY, Forsberg was sidelined with a long-term injury in early July. That coincided with the team\u2019s worst run of form of the season, sliding down the Eastern Conference table. During his three-month absence, the Red Bulls won just one of nine league matches.<\/p>\n But in early October, during his first start since returning from injury, the Swede immediately made his impact felt, scoring and adding an assist in a 4-1 trouncing<\/a> of Toronto FC<\/a>.<\/p>\n It was clear that having their captain back provided a spark in the Red Bulls\u2019 locker room. Even as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, the Red Bulls entered the postseason feeling like favorites. They swept reigning MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew<\/a> in Round One, before outdueling higher-seeds New York City FC<\/a> and Orlando City<\/a> in their home stadiums to reach the club\u2019s second-ever MLS Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cWe saw in his first practice with us how much talent he has, how much expertise he has in the game and how knowledgeable he is as a player,\u201d said center back Sean Nealis<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cHe just elevates everyone around him. Getting him back was special in the latter part of the season and I think you see his talent every playoff game. We\u2019re lucky to have him.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 5, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\nClub-shifting signing<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Late-season resurgence<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Winning reputation<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n