It was always going to be a difficult off-season for the New York Red Bulls this year. MLS teams routinely struggle to be at their best for the start of the season. In 2017, RBNY faced the task of being better than usual by the end of an unusually short preseason - because in 2017 the Red Bulls have to get started with CONCACAF Champions League, and there is a title up for grabs if the team can find the right form.
RBNY’s preseason progress has been halting, disrupted by the fact the squad wasn’t really able to assemble fully until the beginning of February and by injuries that have either proven slow to heal or cropped up during the early friendlies of the year.