As the New York Red Bulls continue preparations for Sunday’s matchup with Atlanta United, Jesse Marsch’s side received a boost in the back line.
With the conclusion of CONCACAF’s World Cup Qualifying, New York has regained Panama defenders Michael Amir Murillo and Fidel Escobar.
With a crucial match on Sunday, Marsch said they’re both “very high on confidence” and ready to contribute this weekend.
“I think they both had an incredible week with big celebrations in Panama, but they’ve both come back and they said they’re ready to go,” Marsch said. “Fidel played 90 on Tuesday so we’ll just evaluate how he’s doing, but we expect them both to be able to contribute and it’s good to have them back.”
Murillo and Escobar were called in for Panama’s final two World Cup Qualifying matches against the United States and Costa Rica.
Following a loss to the USMNT, which saw Murillo receive a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation, Panama defeated Costa Rica to advance to the 2018 FIFA World Cup for the first time in the country’s history.
“Incredible moment for those guys,” Marsch said. “I sent a little note to Amir and told him to send our best wishes to Fidel. An incredible moment for that country.”
Both players have been instrumental for club and country, participating throughout the Hexagonal and starting together for the Red Bulls on multiple occasions.
Marsch lauded his players’ special achievement with the Panamanian National Team and pointed to their international experiences as a positive step for their development as young players.
“We have a lot of pride that those two being here have been involved in a big moment for their country and certainly being here has helped their development,” Marsch said. “Amir was suspended [Tuesday]…but Fidel played 90 and I thought he played pretty well.”
