New York City FC have made a great start to the league campaign by leading the table after the opening two matches. Their rivals New York Red Bulls have the opportunity to catch them – or even overtake them in the league – when they win their match in hand against DC United.

Despite the club only managing a 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City in the opening match, one player from the New York Red Bulls fell significantly happier than before. Damien Perrinelle was only a reserve player from the club last season, but he was promoted to the starting line-up in the match against Sporting Kansas City.

The defender played extremely well and looks set to keep his place for the home match against DC United. The arrival of new coach JesseMarsch appears to have played a major role inPerrinelle securing a starting spot in the opening game of the season. The defender accepted that it was the case as the arrival of a new coach often helps substitutes to impress a lot.Marsch was hoping that pairing Perrinelle with Ronald Zubar would help him and this proved to be the case. Despite not keeping a clean sheet, the performances of the New York Red Bulls were praised.

“Often, substitutes reach another level with a new coach. This is the start of a new project, with a new staff looking at me with a different eye. The coach made his own choices, and the first game tends to prove him right. This [pairing with fellow countryman] is necessary because of game situations. We have the same soccer language, including the words we use to communicate. Decisions that have to be taken quickly are taken in French. But when other players could be involved, we speak English,” saidPerrinelle after his debut.