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The New York Red Bulls opened their training center to the press this Sunday, with a red kite on the field and a drone recording the players' movements.
Journalists were allowed to watch the first fifteen minutes of the session. Players were divided into groups and performed functional exercises with the ball, while the goalkeepers trained separately.
New York Red Bulls New Signings
New signings such as center-back Alexander Hack and forwards Eric Choupo-Moting and Wiktor Bogacz were on the field, as well as right-back Omar Valencia, who was part of the Red Bull's second team and was promoted to the first team this year.
Raheem Edwards, the new left-back, could not be spotted, as players were wearing their winter training gear on a cold Sunday morning.
The same goes for defensive midfielder Felipe Carballo, a key player in last season's playoffs who did not play in the MLS Cup loss to LA Galaxy in December and remains under the care of the Red Bulls medical staff.
It's noteworthy that Carballo wants to return to Nacional, the Uruguayan club where he came through the youth ranks.
" That could certainly be an option. We'll see. We've just started the season, and he is a very important player for us. He was crucial in our playoff games and scored against Columbus in the first game against New York City. He is a great player and character; he is not someone who speaks a lot in the locker room. Still, he is a great person and very professional. He works hard every day ", emphasized head coach Sandro Schwarz when asked whether the New York Red Bulls plan to exercise their option to buy Carballo, who is on loan from Brazil's Grêmio until June.
Meanwhile, center-back Tim Parker is in negotiations to return to the New York Red Bulls after five years to rejoin the squad.
Schwarz opted for a classic vague response when asked whether the club plans to bring in more players during the current transfer window.
" There are a lot of rumors out there, and I can't comment on rumors. I know many of them are, but it's part of our job. We could talk about this daily; you can ask me, but honestly, I know a little bit, but I can't comment because I don't know what will happen tomorrow".
Carlos Coronel comments on his contract situation; declares his love for the club
Taking a chance with Spanish and English, goalkeeper Carlos Coronel spoke to the press for almost ten minutes. Coronel is one of the leaders of the current squad and regained his prestige with the fans during the playoffs after going through a rough patch closer to the end of the 2024 regular season. However, the Brazilian-born Paraguayan goalkeeper is entering the final year of his contract with the New York Red Bulls.
"I love this club; I'm happy to be here. Also, my family likes to be here. And it's, what do you say, my last year. I will also be very professional because I have a contract here for one more year. And then, for sure, I hope this year we can also win trophies. I think my last year was the last chance for me. I don't know what will happen, but I must work with my reality now. It's my last year, and I hope I can do well".
