Head Coach Chris Armas is thrilled to be back at training with the players and staff.
"It's great to be back with the guys, out on the field, training," Armas said. "You quickly get reminded what a great group of players we have."
Despite the season wrapping up barely a month-and-a-half ago, Armas is ready to return to Red Bulls Training Facility day-in and day-out.
"It's like we haven't missed a beat out there," he said.
A majority of players returning from the 2018 squad helps with the group dynamic, according to Armas, especially as they integrate newer acquisitions, such as the seven 2019 MLS SuperDraft picks.
Armas said the goal of these early sessions is to instill upon the newer players how the Red Bulls play and make sure the veterans know "how we can be sharper and quicker when we have the ball."
"You love the energy those young guys bring, there's so much for them to be fighting for," Armas said. "To see Bradley Wright-Phillips interact with some of the younger players, it's a thing of beauty to watch it all come together."
The Red Bulls continue training at home before heading to Florida for their first preseason stint, starting on January 21.
The focus all preseason will be on the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League, which begins with Leg 1 of the Round of 16 series against Atletico Pantoja in the Dominican Republic on February 20.
"If you want to call it unfinished business, yeah," Armas said. "It's a trophy out there and we want to make a good push. We don't take any competitions lightly or for granted, so we will put our resources together and go for Champions League."
PHOTOS: Red Bulls Kick Off Preseason Training by New York Red Bulls on Exposure
