Summary: Brian Lewis of the New York Post joins this edition of Inside MLS to take a deeper look into what many consider to be one of the most unpredictable teams in Major League Soccer, the New York Red Bulls who have had on off-season characterized as confusing, strange, even perplexing until settling on Mike Petke as a first year head coach after much deliberation. We examine the backroom players at Red Bull Arena to uncover how the process unfolded, whether the actual choice was the right one in the end and how the organization has stepped up to support Petke and reach out to the supporters to fully engage themselves in the marketplace. At the center of this discussion, ultimately, will be how Petke brings his best pieces together and maximizes the roster options the Red Bulls have, including Thierry Henry, Tim Cahill and new arrival Juninho Pernambucano from Vasco of Brazil, along with several key editions from Real Salt Lake who could feature prominently this season. We break down the key decisions in each area of the team including how the midfield will be asked to provide the support for Henry he did not always receive a year ago, the focus on rebuilding the defence which appeared to narrow the tactical options a year ago and how the biggest problems with the salary cap were overcome with the move of Kenny Cooper this off-season. We also consider whether Mike Petke will change the overall approach of the team, allowing his technical quality to express itself more, as he has recently indicated, and how his best players are set to respond. Brian gives us a great look at one of the big name franchises in Major League Soccer and provides great insight based on more than a decade of following the club through some of its most calamitous seasons reaching back to the MetroStars days.
