New York Red Bulls fans were right to look at Tuesday’s 2-0, CONCACAF Champions League triumph over Club Tijuana, in Mexico, as a marquee victory for the club — the type of result MLS has long sought to make a regular affair against the region’s dominant league. Portland fans, however, should be forgiven for thinking, more selfishly, “I hope their first team was worn out against Xolos.”
That’s because, for all the talk of Giovanni Savarese’s homecoming, Jesse Marsch’s squad rotation has become the dominant story of this game. After facing Tijuana at Estadio Caliente on Tuesday night, Marsch’s first XI would have to endure a cross-country flight, recovery from playing on turf, and a short, three-day turnaround to feature on Saturday against the Timbers (4pm PT, ROOT SPORTS).