With the current USL Championship season suspended, we got the chance to catch up with New York Red Bulls II staff.
First, we caught up with head coach John Wolyniec to see what he has been up to and how he has been staying busy during this time.
How has this experience been for you?
“First and foremost, it has been a challenge. I think anybody that works in the sporting side knows that you are in this for the camaraderie and seeing people. Working with a team on a field and not being able to do that is really hard. You know there are technological challenges that is for sure, I’m used to being on the field all day, so spending that much time on a computer is not that easy. Then trying to keep guys motivated and busy in an uncertain and unique time, it certainly has its challenges. Luckily, I work for a great organization that has been really supportive. We have good people in our sporting department and within our club, so everybody is eager and willing to do what they can to keep this thing moving forward. Credit to the players as well, I know thinking back as a player I would have trouble staying motivated to work out and stay fit without being able to actually play the sport, but they have done really well. Luckily, we have some technological advances that help us track the players and keep them engaged. Certainly, the word challenge comes to mind.”
What have you been doing to stay busy?
“Just the idea of staying connected is one of the things that keep me busy. Setting up calls and meetings it takes timing and organization. I think one of the things we have done well with, both the first team and the second team, is making contact with the players. Just being able to get on video meetings, texting, and live workouts has been great. We are seeing multiple players, if not all of them every day. That certainly takes up most of the time, but the kids keep me busy, but I’m in the U.S. Soccer Pro Course. That is going through a change, it has been delayed, but they are keeping us busy with readings and other stuff. Also, keeping contact with the staff and keeping them engaged, you do not want them to go days without doing anything. Luckily, we have all been engaged and doing stuff.”
Family
“Spending time with my two kids outside with going on walks. We have made tons of different paths around the neighborhood. My daughter is getting really good at riding her bike, she is getting a little bit more courageous, which is kind of scary. The little guy is learning ways to fight naps, so a big battle going on there. Luckily, we have been staying busy with a couple puzzles.”
A message to supporters:
“We are an organization that values our fans. In these tough times, we obviously want to be a strong leader, an organization that they can look at to see strength and togetherness. At the same time, we have to lean on our fans, when things come back. We are going to need the support of the fans and that relationship. It is important and we value it, our players value it, our staff value it, and our organization values it. Obviously, we are grateful, and we know our responsibility to be a model of strength and togetherness, when this thing starts to fade then we will be back in the community in a strong way. We will lean on them and they can lean on us. Hopefully, that helps us both out as we strive to get back to the lives that we cherish so much.”
