Fredrik Gulbrandsen is focused on his new team in MLS with the New York Red Bulls but he doesn’t seem to think that his new league will help him get back into the picture with the national team.
On loan from sister club Red Bull Salzburg, the 24-year old forward is a full-fledged Norwegian international who has produced goals during a career that, much of which was spent in Scandinavia up until a move to Austria this past summer. Playing time had been hard to come by for Gulbrandsen with his new club, leading to a loan move to MLS and to a team that is desperate to add a forward to partner alongside Bradley Wright-Phillips. Gulbrandsen has been capped three times by Norway but he doesn’t see the move to MLS as one that will help him get back in with the national team.
“Maybe. I don’t think going to America is a good thing for the national team beacause I saw that last year, Ola Kamara did great in this league and he was not even called up now. I don’t know,” Gulbrandsen said on Thursday. “That’s not what I’m thinking about now. The most important thing is to do well with the Red Bulls and then we’ll see.”
Kamara made his debut last year in MLS, scoring 16 goals with two assists in 25 matches for Columbus Crew SC. He has seven appearances with Norway but hasn’t been a regular call-up since moving to MLS. As for what he can control, Gulbrandsen is fitting right in with New York. His new club, like his old one in Salzburg, utilized a high-press that is an ideal fit for his work rate and speed. Head coach Jesse Marsch praised Gulbrandsen on Thursday, saying that the player is fitting in well. He could even be a candidate to start this Sunday at the Seattle Sounders.
“The Red Bulls are a high-pressing team, they like to go high and press high. It’s similar to what I’m used to,” Gulbrandsen said
“I think it’s easy for me to adapt to the team.”
Red Bulls Notes
Fredrik Gulbrandsen doesn’t think MLS will help him with Norway’s national team
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