After convening just over a month ago, the New York Red Bulls will face their final preseason test against the Philadelphia Union in the championship match of the 2015 IMG Suncoast Pro Soccer Classic Saturday night (7:30pm ET on NewYorkRedBulls.com/Live).
Having delved into Jesse Marsch’s new high-pressure system, veteran winger Lloyd Sam said Friday he thinks the team has done well in implementing the new style.
“I think from when we were given our first instructions of how to play, with the high press and all that, it’s just gotten better and better each day,” he said. “You can tell from the results of this tournament that things have worked. We don’t normally have great results in preseason for as long as I’ve been here, so it’s good to start off the season well.”
While preseason results are nothing to brag about, the consistent mantra from the team this season has been a desire to play well in the system and win matches. It’s worked pretty well, with the side going 4-1-1 in six preseason games, the only blemish being a 4-1 reserve loss to Jacksonville Armada on February 5.
“The most important thing is us having a good game and doing what we’re looking to do during the season,” Sam continued. “It’s always a difficult game against Philadelphia so if we can apply the things the manager’s been telling us to do, that’d be great. If we can win the trophy any better.
The Plan Tonight
With this the final test before next Sunday’s season opener at Sporting KC, expect to see Marsch run out another strong lineup as he did in Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Toronto FC.
That night, we saw Matt Miazga’s preseason debut, playing 30 minutes after a quad contusion suffered while away training with Red Bull Leipzig last month. On Saturday night, the hope will be to increase the Homegrown defender’s playing time.
On the Union
Philadelphia enters Saturday night’s match with a 2-2-1 preseason record, also falling to Jacksonville Armada (3-1) and Tampa Bay Rowdies (1-0) before arriving in Bradenton.
The team easily dispatched the Costa Rica U-23s (3-0) and tournament replacement side London United (6-0) before drawing 1-1 with the Columbus Crew on Wednesday night and winning the subsequent penalty kick shootout.
PLAYER TO WATCH: New arrival Fernando Aristeguieta scored Philadelphia’s goal in Wednesday’s match and the forward tallied two in his debut the previous match against London United. The Venezuelan striker joined the Union on loan this month from French Ligue 1 side Nantes.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: “We set the goal for the third phase of preseason to win this competition and we’re on track to do that. It’s something that we’re happy about and we’ll see how Saturday goes.” – Philadelphia Union Head Coach Jim Curtin
Reunion Continues
Jesse Marsch will continue to reunite with former teammates Saturday night as he played five seasons with Jim Curtin (2001-2005) as well as a single season with Union assistant coach Mike Sorber during his time with the Chicago Fire.
The former Fire trio is also joined by newly named Red Bulls assistant Chris Armas and long-time Fire assistant and two-year head coach Denis Hamlett on the sidelines for tonight’s match.
