RBR ON THE ROAD – DAY 2 IN LA MANGA, SPAIN

Trialist Frederic Jonson spends first day with Red Bulls

The New York Red Bulls began their full pre-season training sessions today in La Manga, Spain under the direction of new head coach Hans Backe. Today was the first full training day and the club had two sessions (morning and afternoon). The morning session was a cool 54 degrees when the team started their warm-up drills and small-sided matches. The afternoon was warmer (64 degrees) and featured passing and tactical drills as the club prepares for its first pre-season match on Monday, January 25 against CSKA Moscow (the match day was moved from Sunday to Monday).

“It was good to get back on the field,” said Red Bulls Assistant Coach Richie Williams. “The weather was perfect and the guys were very enthusiastic. We got everyone together and today was the time to get familiar with each other. Little by little over the next few days, we’ll get the team organized.”

The core of players from 2009 were back on the pitch today, including Juan Pablo Angel, Seth Stammler, Mike Petke, Kevin Goldthwaite, Carlos Mendes, Andy Boyens, Mac Kandji, John Wolyniec, Carlos Johnson, Sinisi Ubiparipovic, Danleigh Borman, Dane Richards, Ernst Oebster, Luke Sassano, and Jeremy Hall.

One new face on the pitch today is Frederic Jonson. Jonson, who is in on trial, arrived this morning and trained in both sessions. Jonson, 22, is a left-footed defender and most recently was with Vasalunds IF in Sweden.

As mentioned above, the Red Bull match against CSKA Moscow has been moved to the afternoon of Monday, January 25. And it is scheduled to be off-site from La Manga so it’s not listed on the web site). Tentative start time is 5 pm local time (11 am ET). The other matches that are still on the schedule, and will be played at La Manga, are Poland’s Lech Pocnan on Wednesday, January 27 and Monday, February 1, against Stromsjodset of Norway.