Jesse Marsch: “Couldn’t be happier,” Marsch said on Twitter. “This club is the real deal.” (FrontRowSoccer.com Photo)

By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor

Though he was several thousands of miles away across the Atlantic, former Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch was given his due by his former assistant Chris Armas.

Armas, of course, is running the show these days at Red Bull Arena, where New York clinched its third Supporters Shield triumph in six years after blanking Orlando City SC Sunday night.

Marsch, who joined the Red Bulls for the 2015 Major League Soccer, left the Red Bulls in June to pursue a coaching opportunity in the Bundesliga. He is an assistant coach on RB Leipzig, a sister club to the MLS side.

In his first season as Red Bulls head coach, Marsch directed the club to the Supporters Shield.

“He’s here and with us in so many ways,” Armas said in a postgame press conference. “That’s why I acknowledged it out there. I’ve said it a few times along the way, I don’t think he gets enough credit. No one does it for the credit but Jess, again, it’s a success story, the job that he did when he got here, the culture change, the way people work changed. In every which way he took this thing on and we were right there with him.

“There’s so many people that are a part of it. Yeah, to not acknowledge Jesse, the work that he’s done here, and then when he leaves, yeah, we’re ready to run with it. We’re ready to run with it, and the team is primed to do that. As a coaching staff, we’ve now put our stamp on things in many of the same ways, but you know, with our taste.

“So Jesse is part of this whole thing, right. We all know that, but shouldn’t be afraid to say that.”

The Red Bulls finished the regular season with the most wins (22) and points (71) in league history, behind their sterling 22-7-5 record.

Marsch was just as ecstatic about the club’s accomplishment.

“Couldn’t be happier,” Marsch said on Twitter. “This club is the real deal. I hope our supporters appreciate the work from every single person in the New York Red Bull’s organization. What an example of selflessness and commitment. I love you all!!!!!!”

He continued: “And to Chris, the staff, and the boys…the belief you have in each other is inspiring! You have everything you need to win it all. Go for it, all the way. And know, this is our year!!!! #REDTogether”

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.