Following the 1-1 draw against Club Deportivo Olimpia in Leg 1 of the CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16, Head Coach Jesse Marsch said he knew the New York Red Bulls looked good in the first half -- and that there's work to be done in the second half.
"I thought in the first half we played quite well, controlled most of the half," Marsch said. "Give big credit to Olimpia, because in the second half they really raised their game, they started to possess the ball a little bit more and create a few more chances."
New York took a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute off a goal from Daniel Royer, and Marsch said the Red Bulls could have added another goal along the way.
"We had chances to maybe make it 2-0, push the game a little bit and be a little bit sharper," Marsch said. "Game fitness caught up with us, and we make a mistake on the penalty."
The game ended in a draw following CD Olimpia converting the penalty kick.
"I think, overall, a 1-1 result is pretty fair, and we feel good about that going back to Red Bull Arena," Marsch said.
With the away goal nabbed in Leg 1, New York currently holds the tie breaker if the Leg 2 match were to end in a scoreless draw.
The two teams meet up in Leg 2 of the series on Thursday at Red Bull Arena. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.
