When Emil Forsberg came to New York, he had one big goal in mind for his first season with the Red Bulls.
“I came here to win,” Forsberg told the Post during a sit-down at the Red Bulls' practice facility this week.
With the Red Bulls on the brink of winning their first MLS Cup in the club's 28 years of existence, it's no exaggeration to say that the Swedish international has lived up to expectations in Major League Soccer.
Forsberg played 10 seasons with Red Bulls' sister club RB Leipzig in Germany's Bundesliga before moving to the United States and proving to be a game-changer for the club on and off the field.
On the field, Forsberg's magic and skill set cannot be overlooked. He scored nine goals and added four assists during the regular season and also had a goal in Game 2 of the playoffs against Columbus.
Former Red Bulls goaltender Luis Robles noted the difference Forsberg makes when he's on the field, especially over fellow stars Dante Vanzeil and Lewis Morgan.
“With Emil Forsberg, they're a different team,” Robles told the Post. “There's something about his genius on the field that unlocks VanZea and Lewis Morgan. That's what we're seeing here. The offense is even better because of Emile. .”
The Red Bulls' biggest struggle during the season came when Forsberg was sidelined with a lower leg issue that kept him off the field for nearly four months and caused the team to fall to seventh place in the Eastern Conference. His return in late October coincided with the team's surprising run in the MLS Cup playoffs.
Forsberg was quick to deflect how much of an impact he had, crediting his teammates for “tipping in the right way.”
“I've just been myself and tried to push the players, and like everyone else, just having fun and relaxing,” the Swede said. “[Just] I aim to make you feel relaxed, comfortable and confident that you will win with me. I think the players have done the same. ”
Although Forsberg wants to remain humble, it's hard to deny that his confidence in the team is contagious among those in the locker room.
“Why not?” Forsberg declared before the Red Bulls' surprise playoff run began. Just before the series against the reigning league champion Columbus Crew begins.
That battle cry paid off as the Red Bulls defeated Columbus in two games and then defeated New York City FC and then Orlando City SC in the Eastern Conference finals.
“He's not only a great player, he's a great human being,” head coach Sandro Schwartz said. “He leads the team off the field, in the locker room and, this is important, with his experience. He feels a responsibility to the team, not only to himself but to the young players and the We also have a responsibility to our many players.”
While the rest of the soccer world is watching the Red Bulls' rapid progress with amazement, the players don't want to hear Cinderella stories.
The Red Bulls were the lowest seed to advance to the MLS Cup finals and had to get past the toughest team in the East to earn their second championship game appearance in franchise history.
Still, none of that seems to have reached the locker room.
“I don't think it's surprising. I mean, people would think of it that way, but we don't,” midfielder Peter Stroud said when asked about it.
The Red Bulls have had a number of notable international stars on their team over the years, including Bradley Wright-Phillips and Thierry Henry. However, the team has not yet overcome the final hurdle.
Forsberg has a chance Saturday against the Los Angeles Galaxy to finally push the Red Bulls to the top and win the elusive championship they've been chasing for nearly 30 years.
“I can't say it's not surprising, but I didn't come here to prove myself,” he said, adding that his goal is to help the club win and help his teammates improve. He explained that his purpose was to help. “We're almost there. I'm very proud of our players and our journey this year. We've had our ups and downs, but in the end I think we deserve to be in the finals.”
