The Big Abang Theory - Cameroon teen shows plenty of potential

Cameroon teen shows plenty of potential with his technique, but still needs to improve tactics

On the surface, there may not be a whole lot of forward depth on the Red Bulls roster behind Bradley Wright-Phillips, last year’s MLS Golden Boot winner. But sooner rather than later, a little known player is ready to make a hit with a bang.

Meet Anatole Abang, the 19-year-old from Cameroon who is starting to look like a possible star in the making for the Red Bulls. True, Abang has only five appearances and 18 total minutes of play this year, but the striker shows some major flashes of being the real deal in training as well as continued hints of that promise with the USL team.

In training, Abang routinely turns defenders and dances through the midfield with some dazzling displays of ball work. He is technically as strong as they come, with skill on the ball and a powerful shot. Physically, he has a good build and is powerful when he runs.

It is tactically, however, where he needs some work, where he is far from a finished product.

His role in the high-press system implemented by head coach Jesse Marsch will take some time. He needs to learn how to press and his assignments on defense in terms of how he must respond in terms of team-defending. Then in the final third, there isn’t quite the understanding of timing runs, of how to make himself available in the area to get service.

But it has been getting better and Marsch has seen that.

“First of all we think Bradley is one of the best forwards in the league. A lot of times tactically if we’re chasing the game, we’ve decided not to put two forwards up – sometimes [in] the Kansas City game we did,” Marsch said after training on Tuesday.

“I think he has come along and he [Abang] has shown that in the USL games, that he has some natural qualities but that he is also developing more sophistication to his game and a better understanding of how to fit into how we do things. I think we’re looking for opportunities to insert him into games. Just hasn’t come along quite yet.

“But he’s part of the discussion often.”

Abang has played for Cameroon’s Under-17 national team is part of its U-20 pool. With the USL team when on loan, he has shown quite well and has shown an increased albeit growing understanding of the game.