Red Bulls midfielder Dave van den Bergh is enjoying his new role. Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images
By Michael Lewis
BigAppleSoccer.com Editor
Salzburg, Austria -- The Red Bulls' pre-season training camp this season is all about adapting.
That's adapting to a new coach -- Juan Carlos Osorio -- and adapting to a new system as well.
That new system is one that includes three defenders in a 3-4-1-2 formation.
"We're playing with three defenders," midfielder-defender Dave van den Bergh said Tuesday after a snowy practice at Red Bull Arena. "I don't think this franchise has ever done that from what I understand."
When he coached the MetroStars in 1999, former U.S. National Team coach Bora Milutinovic tried to use three central defenders and two outside defenders who would patrol the midfield. It didn't work.
Van den Bergh said Osorio's system was "different. That goes for everybody on the team."
He added that the players were "adapting a little bit. Juan Carlos makes it clear what needs.
"For some guys it will be more crowded in the middle of the field."
That included van den Bergh. He was brought in as a left-sided midfielder last season, but was used as a left fullback in the latter stages of the season when injuries hit the team hard.
During pre-season training camp van den Bergh is playing a more central midfielder role.
"I get more of the ball in the center of the field," he said. "It comes to your area."
He said that likes the freedom as opposed to playing on the left side.
"I was always limited because I could only go one way," he said. "Now I can go any way I want."
That means more potential passes to van den Bergh from several areas of the field.
"It's not one person I'm depending on," he said. "We all need to do it together."
Van den Bergh doesn't care where he plays as long as his name is penciled into the lineup.
"If he wants me there, let him tell me what he wants," he said. "It doesn't matter where the coach puts me."
