Luis Robles didn’t have to wait long at all this year to get his call into the U.S. Men’s National Team. Robles joined up with the squad for its annual January camp in Carson, Calif., on January 10, where he will stay until completion on Feb. 3.
For many players following MLS’ offseason, the camp is the first step back into the swing of things. With Red Bulls preseason and the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals approaching, the Red Bulls goalkeeper is happy to be back.
“It’s great to be playing soccer again,” Robles said. “It’s been a long offseason, so it’s nice to get the cobwebs out.
“I’m enjoying the experience. Definitely a little sore after a few two-a-days, but I think it’s going to be a great preseason for our preseason.”
At the nearby LA Convention Center, the Red Bulls had two picks at their disposal during the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. Robles noted that he and teammate Sacha Kljestan, “tracked the draft together, wondering what players we were going to get or who was going to be added to the locker room.”
New York went on to select midfielder Zeiko Lewis and forward Ethan Kutler in the first and second round, and the goalkeeper expressed his excitement for his new teammates.
“We’re excited for them,” Robles said. “We look forward to seeing what they can bring to the table…we have a pretty strong family here and we’re excited to invite them in and include them in that family.”
The new players could be thrown into competitive action soon, with the Red Bulls preparing for the CONCACAF Champions League Knockout Stage.
With CCL set to resume in February, Robles is confident that the team will be ready, and looks forward to a thrilling competition against Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
“CCL’s going to be great,” Robles said. “I think this is going to be one of the most exciting competitions that our franchise has been involved in and we really hope that the fans recognize that.
“We know the organization does, and we hope to get the result that’s necessary to keep moving towards our end goal of winning this thing.”
Pick up your Champions League tickets for February 22 at Red Bull Arena today!
