Young Red Bulls players hope to silence 'haters' as 2023 MLS season kicks off

HARRISON – Gerhard Struber had a few reasons to be cheerful as the Red Bulls prepared to open the Major League Soccer season.

Instead of a complete roster overhaul, the coach was able to retain most of the existing players from the team that finished fourth in the Eastern Conference last year.

Most of the Red Bulls already knew Struber's expectations, so he didn't have to re-teach his aggressive, high-pressure style. The players seemed to demonstrate that knowledge in preseason, going 6-0, while allowing just one goal.

But the roster is also very young, with 26-year-old Long Island native Sean Nealis recently named captain.

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The Red Bulls have nine Homegrown signees heading into the new season, and five of the 19 New Jersey-born players in MLS.

That list includes 20-year-old defender John Tolkin, who made his United States national team debut against Colombia on Jan. 28.

Back home with new international techniques, Tolkin is trying to fit Struber's mold as an "outstanding hungry boy" who can get more involved in the Red Bulls' offense. The Chatham native said the key is "slowing my brain down in those quick moments."

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The Red Bulls kick off the 28th MLS season on Saturday in Orlando. Their home opener is against Nashville on March 4. Here's a look at their schedule.

The Red Bulls have the longest active streak of qualifying for the playoffs, but have yet to win MLS Cup.

"So many haters, eh?" Tolkin quipped. "They're finally putting some respect on our name. It only gives us more motivation when they say we're going to finish bottom of the table. It's something we kind of laugh about. We also use it as motivation."

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Will Dante Vanzeir score big goals this season?

The Red Bulls added a few key pieces, like Belgian striker Dante Vanzeir, who met the media for the first time on Tuesday. Vanzeir, 24, said he hopes to score at least 15 goals this season.

He had 48 goals and 21 assists in three seasons with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, and was named 2020 Player of the Year for the Challenger Pro League.

"I'm a guy who maybe doesn't do the most crazy things on the pitch, but I'm a guy who is hardworking (and) gives my best every time," said Vanzeir, who played half the Belgian season but has been out of competition for about a month.

"For sure, the traveling will be one of the most difficult things in this league. Maybe also the style of play. ... The culture in the U.S. is different. Those things I will adapt to. I think I'm like a chameleon, and I will easily adapt to those situations."

Brotherly love: Peter Stroud and Jared Stroud

New Red Bulls midfielder Peter Stroud may have spent as much time talking about his older brother, Jared Stroud, as his own professional dreams.

Jared Stroud followed a more traditional route to professional soccer, playing at Delbarton and then Colgate University. He's in his fourth professional season: two with the Red Bulls, and then one with expansion Austin FC before shifting to another expansion team, St. Louis City.

Peter Stroud skipped high school and played in the Red Bulls' academy, then went to England to be part of West Ham United's youth system. He turned pro after his junior season at Duke University, where he was recently named a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy.

Though Peter Stroud has yet to play at Red Bull Arena, he expressed a twinge of jealousy at his brother's participation in two MLS team debuts.

"Jared's been an asset to me, especially as a young player," said Peter Stroud, the youngest of four soccer-playing brothers from Chester.

"His biggest advice is to be silent in the locker room. Be quiet and when it's time to go out there, be confident."

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NY Red Bulls, young roster ready for MLS season 2023