PREGAME SUMMARY: |
---|
2019 MLS Preseason presented by Advocare |
New York Red Bulls vs IF Elfsborg |
IMG Academy - Bradenton, Fla. |
Saturday, Jan. 26 — 11 am ET |
No stream or TV available |
The New York Red Bulls will square off against Swedish club IF Elfsborg on Saturday as part of Preseason presented by Advocare, as they tune up for the Concacaf Champions League series against Dominican outfit Atlético Pantoja beginning on Feb. 20.
New York Red Bulls
The Red Bulls have camped at IMG Academy in Florida to for their preseason preparations. While the news cycle outside of camp has focused on the developing transfer drama surrounding Red Bulls midfielder Kaku, the players, including the Paraguayan international, have been busy getting fit and going through the paces to prepare for a busy season.
After getting to the CCL semifinal in 2018, RBNY manager Chris Armas acknowledged the hunger to do more this time is present for his group.
"If you want to call it unfinished business, yeah," Armas said to the Red Bulls' website. "It's a trophy out there and we want to make a good push. We don't take any competitions lightly or for granted, so we will put our resources together and go for Champions League."
IF Elfsborg
The Boras, Sweden club are gearing up for the 2019 Allsvenskan season, after finishing four points above the relegation zone in the 2018 campaign. They have won the Swedish top flight six times, most recently in 2012, and last won the Swedish Cup in 2013-14.
Currently managed by 40-year-old Jimmy Thelin, Elfsborg has one name likely familiar to MLS audiences: Winger Stefan Ishizaki played for the LA Galaxy in 2014-15, playing in 50 MLS regular season games (six goals, 12 assists) and four MLS Cup Playoffs matches (one assist), and winning the 2014 MLS Cup during his time stateside.