When the Red Bulls signed Caden Clark to an MLS contract last October — paying Minnesota United a mere $75,000 in general allocation money for his rights — they potentially unearthed a future star.

That’s worth lauding, even if — as rumored — Clark leaves for German sister club RB Leipzig later this year

The hard work of soccer management doesn’t end at merely finding talents like Clark, but rather properly utilizing them as well.

For the Red Bulls, getting him on the ball would be a start.

In New York’s 2021 opener, a 2-1 loss vs. Sporting KC, Clark had just the joint sixth-most touches on the team, while only two starters — Brian White and new forward Fabio — attempted less passes than him, per FBref. 

One of the 17-year-old’s 46 touches was a spectacular reflex volley, that accounted for the Red Bulls’ lone goal of the game. It displayed his promising potential, while underlying his lack of chances.

Clark was responsible for two of the team’s three shots on target, and was second on the team in progressive carries with four. It’s clear he should be a focal point of the team’s attack, though force-feeding him the ball is not as feasible as in other sports.

New coach Gerhard Struber has to put Clark (and the team) in the best position to succeed. That means giving the youngster a run in the middle, starting this Sunday vs. the Galaxy.

Against Kansas City, Clark started on the left wing and he was often featured on the right as he was breaking through last season. Though he usually featured at the No. 10 for the reserve team before signing a senior deal, he didn’t start a game there in MLS until the playoffs — his eighth appearance (and Struber’s first time coaching the side), per Transfermarkt.

For a team with creation issues, shunting Clark to the wing is not a trend that should continue.

The 2020 Red Bulls finished fourth from last in shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, and 18th (out of 26) in expected goals per 90. That problem reared its head against Kansas City, as New York often struggled to progress the ball upfield and create quality chances.

We don’t know for sure that playing Clark centrally will elevate this attack. But it’s not as if New York set the world alight in the absence of his mere 279 minutes last season.

May as well hand him the keys.

After getting off to a brutal start in 2020, NYCFC gave its fans a bit of déjà vu with a surprising loss to DC United last weekend.

The 2-1 defeat surely stung, but let’s offer a bit of perspective.

Brendan Hines-Ike opened for DC all the way from 28 yards out and Russell Canouse made a volley from the top of the box look easy.

NYCFC did struggle to create much in the second half, but the defense was more stingy than the scoreline would suggest. The final xG tally of 1.5-0.6 in favor of New York City probably won’t satiate fans, but does give some context to this result: a loss was a bit harsh.

If Hines-Ike shanks his long-distance attempt– or even doesn’t put it exactly in the corner — we’re likely talking about an unsatisfying draw instead.

The soccer gods tend to disperse luck evenly over time. NYCFC can get back on track vs. Cincinnati this weekend.