CARSON, Calif. – Flashback to November 4, 2023.
After besting Charlotte FC, 5-2, in the Wild Card Round, the New York Red Bulls were ousted from the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs by FC Cincinnati 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.
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.
Emil Forsberg stepped into the New York spotlight.
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.
“I came to win,” Forsberg said before New York face LA Galaxy on Saturday afternoon for MLS Cup 2024 presented by Audi (4 pm ET | Apple TV - Free; FOX, FOX Deportes, TSN, TDS).
“Nothing else. That’s the ultimate goal, to win. I came here to win. I can’t speak about what was before. But when I came, I had one clear goal and that was to win.”
Club-shifting signing
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’s trajectory, a motivating factor in why he was quickly handed the captain’s armband.
“His presence just brings a calmness,” said defender Dylan Nealis. “The experience he has is second to none, Champions League and all that. He’s played in the biggest games and getting us relaxed in these moments is huge. And his presence on the field is remarkable.
“He just kind of creates things for us. We don’t have to worry much. Just get the ball to Emil’s feet and let him do his thing.”
Homegrown left back John Tolkin added that Forsberg’s influence extends beyond just the pitch.
“You see some guys who maybe come in here, they’re stars and maybe they don't want to be here, maybe they have big egos,” Tolkin said. “He'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 … and it makes guys want to win for him too.”
With Forsberg on the field this season, the Red Bulls have been a force to be reckoned with. He’s 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.
“You can see the form he brings to the team,” said homegrown midfielder Peter Stroud. “I think I saw a graphic the other day, we definitely win a lot more when he’s on the field. So missing him was huge, and to have him back is a game changer.”
Late-season resurgence
Unfortunately for RBNY, Forsberg was sidelined with a long-term injury in early July. That coincided with the team’s 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.
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 of Toronto FC.
It was clear that having their captain back provided a spark in the Red Bulls’ 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 in Round One, before outdueling higher-seeds New York City FC and Orlando City in their home stadiums to reach the club’s second-ever MLS Cup.
“We 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,” said center back Sean Nealis.
“He 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’re lucky to have him.”
Winning reputation
Forsberg’s teammates are not the only ones aware of his ability to impact the game. LA Galaxy midfielder Marco Reus faced off against Forsberg multiple times during their Bundesliga careers, and knows just how dangerous the No. 10 can be.
“He’s a good player,” said the former Borussia Dortmund star. “So of course, he will try to win this game. Then we’ll see after the game.”
In a team full of young talents, homegrown players and local mainstays, the Red Bulls were missing one final piece. They needed that guy. Forsberg has proved to be the perfect cure for RBNY’s ailments.
In his first season with the club, he’s led New York to a game they’ve reached just once before. And he, along with his teammates, will have the opportunity to cement themselves as club legends come Saturday night at Dignity Health Sports Park.
“Now, we’re in the final and I’m not satisfied,” Forsberg asserted, chasing RBNY’s first-ever MLS Cup title.
“I think the way we approached this season, the way guys went in, everybody together, I think that’s a big key why we’re here now.”
