Coming just 10 days after a victory over New York City FC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the New York Red Bulls are readying for any new wrinkle their crosstown rivals may add for the New York Derby on Saturday.
First Assistant Coach Chris Armas said that playing a team again so soon has both advantages and disadvantages.
“In some ways its easier because in terms of the video preparation, but then you start thinking, ‘OK what else might they try to do? What other nuances and tactics and little things might they try differently?’ So you start thinking a little more, maybe too much,” he said following training on Thursday.
Armas said he doesn’t expect a lot of different looks out of NYCFC heading into their eight MLS matchup.
“You can expect a certain thing from them and I think we’ll see that,” he said.
With weather possibly playing a factor on Saturday, the first assistant said that the team is focusing on what it can control right now.
“It’s the same amount of leg work going in, so we think from the physical standpoint, we’re ready to go here. That’s the main thing,” Armas said.
