MATCH INFORMATION
- Jacksonville Armada vs. New York Red Bulls
- Saturday, February 27th
- Kickoff at 6:30 PM ET
- Community First Park
DAVENPORT, Fla. – After another productive two-week stay in Florida, the New York Red Bulls are approaching their eighth and final match day of the 2016 preseason.
- TICKETS: Red Bulls Home Opener vs. Toronto FC, Sunday March 6
Now just nine days out from first kick at Red Bull Arena, the Supporters’ Shield holders will look to take advantage of their last tune-up before their March 6 showdown with Toronto FC.
Following two successive draws against MLS competition, the Red Bulls once again face off with the Jacksonville Armada, this time on their home field. New York topped the NASL side by a score of 5-2 when the sides met on January 31.
Led by former MetroStars and Red Bulls goalkeeper Tony Meola, the Armada showed well when the teams first faced off, and New York head coach Jesse Marsch is wary of the threat they may well pose on Saturday night.
“I think Tony’s done a good job with his group,” he said. “They came after us and tried to press us, so it should make for a fast game. The field is supposed to be in good shape so that’ll be a good thing for us. I think Jacksonville is a good team and we certainly won’t take them lightly. We’ll be ready to go out there and make sure that, in our last game, we handle everything the way we need to.”
With precious little time remaining before the start of the MLS season, their final friendly of the preseason should serve as a solid test for the Red Bulls. Tactics have been a focal point of the team’s previous scrimmages, but Dax McCarty knows that, as a return to New Jersey beckons, fitness is amongst the most important factors to take away from the match.
“This is kind of the dress rehearsal before we open the season against Toronto,” the captain told NewYorkRedBulls.com. “We’re going to have to push the 14 or 15 guys that are in contention to start and play major minutes. You want to make sure you’re pushing guys to as close to 90 minutes as possible.”
The Red Bulls have had some success in their previous matches, winning four times against collegiate, NASL, and MLS competition, but it hasn’t been the focal point for the team or the coaching staff. Now, as the preseason draws to a close, New York will be looking for progress on the pitch, and a winning score line to boot.
“We just want it to all come together against Jacksonville,” McCarty added. “The result is important, too. We want to win, but I think how we play defensively as a unit—trying to keep a shutout—and creating goal-scoring chances, whether they come off or not, that’s the most important thing.”
