The New York Red Bulls took the pitch at IMG Academy for the first time as they kicked off preseason in the Sunshine State.
"I think this environment is very, very good to help us to improve in the direction what we want," Head Coach Gerhard Struber said.
The Red Bulls will train at IMG Academy for 10 days, which includes two friendlies. New York will have an exhibition match against Florida Gulf Coast University on January 22 and then concluded with the Under-20 United States Men’s National Team on January 29.
"We have, right now, here very young group of players and it's a new start in many directions with our typical style of play," Struber said. "Also that we create a team together, but they can see a high motivation and feel a high motivation -- and the weather, everything is beautiful to improve all the things in the way what we want."
New York added three players to the roster on Thursday -- with Zach Ryan on the pitch in Florida. Jesús Castellano will join the team after his 18th birthday, while Jake LaCava will head out on loan to Tampa Bay Rowdies.
"First of all, it's important that the boys understand what is the big science behind our identity and yes, of course, we will make typical training sessions: encounter bracings with high intensity and also that they learn in all four phases, some good answers," Struber said.
New York is back on the pitch for training on Friday before their first scrimmage on Saturday.
"Very happy that I have my group with me here in a very good environment with all that we need," Struber said. "I'm very, very happy to be here with my boys."
