Matt Kremkau - Empire of Soccer

by RUSS McKENZIE

When Jesse Marsch was asked about the Rochester Rhinos after training on Monday, he pulled no punches.

“I think this is the worst draw we could have gotten,” he said.

“We know we’re in for a total battle going there,” Marsch continued. “This tournament means a lot to us. We’re going to put everything we have into it. We know we can expect (to play) a good team that will make us earn everything.”

The Rhinos, of course, are a storied USL franchise in their own right. Aside from being defending USL champions, Rochester won the US Open Cup in 1999. That made them the only non-MLS club to win the tournament since Major League Soccer joined the tournament. Now, the Red Bulls travel to western New York to face a club that has spent the last 25 home games undefeated.

“They’re very compact defensively. They’re an organized team. They didn’t give up a lot goals last year. They don’t give up a lot of goals at home. They’re athletic and they’re dangerous,” Marsch said, praising Rochester. “Those are types of things that challenge the way we play.”

Of course, New York has traditionally not been quite sharp coming out of a long layoff, let a lone 19 days. However, it seems Marsch has a plan of attack — one that the Red Bulls auditioned against Ecuador in a closed door scrimmage.

“I think we can’t be fooled by possession at certain moments,” Marsch said. “We have to understand what kind of game they want to have, and like to be in and understand that won’t be easy.”