HANOVER, N.J. – Playing against your former team is hardly an unprecedented event for players across all sports. Returning to the site of your departure less than a week later? A bit more so.
After having just arrived from Orlando on Monday morning, newly acquired centerback Aurelien Collin is gearing up for a speedy return, only this time donning a new kit.
A fan favorite in central Florida, Collin certainly enjoyed his time with the Lions, but insists he harbors no ill will towards his former club despite falling out of favor under head coach Adrian Heath in 2016.
“Football is football,” he said. “Sometimes you play, sometimes you don’t play, but it’s part of life. It was an amazing experience, but no bad feelings, just a lot of love.”
Making the move from a major rival, captain Dax McCarty has some idea of what Collin may be feeling come Friday night. Back in 2011, McCarty made the move from D.C. United to New York, facing off against his former side later that season.
“Certainly with it being his first game with us, going back to play against your former team, I imagine emotions will very high,” he said after training on Wednesday afternoon. “After my trade to New York, I played against D.C. a few games later, and it was emotional. You feel like you have a little bit of a chip on your shoulder, something to prove.
“I’m sure Aurelien will feel like he has something to prove to that team, that coaching staff and to all the fans that he still has a lot left in the tank. Their loss is our gain, I think he’s going to be a big boost for us and help us win games.”
From a sporting perspective, Collin’s addition will be useful in more ways than one. Not only do the Red Bulls gain a former Best XI defender with an MLS Cup MVP to his name, but Collin also offers the ability to aid New York with an advanced scouting report on his former side.
Still, head coach Jesse Marsch noted that his newest signing must play within himself if he is to have an impactful debut for New York.
“I think he’ll have a lot of emotion in it,” he told NewYorkRedBulls.com. “He knows what that field is like, that crowd, and I think there was a huge appreciation in Orlando for him from their fans. I know he’ll have a lot of excitement, and that will be good; I think he’ll be up to the challenge. Now it’s just about making sure that, with all the emotion, he can stay focused on what it’s going to take to commit to his role in the right way.”
Emotions will certainly run high, but Collin contends that nerves won’t be a factor on Friday night. In fact, he’s expecting a rather jovial affair as he returns to the pitch at Camping World Stadium on Friday night.
“Orlando is like home for me,” he added. “It’s going to be a beautiful party being back there and playing against my friends; I can’t wait. Kansas City is home, Orlando is home, and now New York is home; I’m very happy to call America my home. Playing in that stadium with a lot of fans is always a great experience, so I can’t wait.”
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