Head Coach Jesse Marsch knows that one of the Red Bulls’ biggest games of the season is just a couple weeks away.
With a few more preseason tuneups before New York hosts Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League, Marsch said he’s aiming to ramp up the intensity – quickly.
“We know right now there is no time to waste,” Marsch said after training on Monday. “Overall, the focus and concentration on the day was very good.”
Bradley Wright-Phillips rejoined the team after the birth of his child and Luis Robles reported back from U.S. Men’s National Team duty after playing 45 minutes against Jamaica on Friday. Sacha Kljestan is still away from the team for the birth of his child.
Marsch said he plans to have some of his players push toward 70, 80 or 90 minutes in the next friendly, in California, against USL-side Sacramento Republic FC on Friday, February 10.
The Red Bulls may also work in a local friendly before most of the first team wraps up their preseason play against New York City FC in the opening game of the Desert Diamond Cup in Tucson, AZ.
“The big New York City match, in preseason, which should be interesting,” Marsch said. “I think it’ll be a good game and it will be our last, final warmup before our big CCL match.”
