New York Red Bulls soccer is officially back in full swing.
With the first leg of CONCACAF Champions League approaching on Thursday against CD Olimpia, Jesse Marsch and his squad’s preseason has officially ended as they ready for battle.
“It’s been a short preseason, there’s no doubt about it, but the mentality and the energy’s been really good right from the start,” Marsch said. “We’ve gotten a lot out of a little time and we’ve got a group who understands what we’re about and we’ll be ready.”
After six preseason matches and four weeks of training, the Red Bulls are ready for the season to begin, but realize they’re going up against a team in midseason form.
From prior experience at this stage of Champions League, Marsch is aware of the difficulties of the opening round, but has prepared his group to “grind things out” if necessary.
“We knew it would be a big challenge when we came in at the very start of preseason,” Marsch said. “We’ve got to be ready to grind things out a little bit more, to fight our way through moments because we’re not going to be quite at our best yet.
“I know that this group is excited for the challenge and ready to go.”
The New York Red Bulls take on CD Olimpia in 2018 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League on Thursday, February 22 at 10 p.m. ET (TV: Univision, RADIO: Red Bulls Radio English).
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