TUCSON, AZ (February 20, 2018) - The mixed group of first and second team Red Bulls players in Tucson continue their participation in the Mobile Mini Sun Cup. NYRB II head coach John Wolyniec emphasized the value of the last three matches for the group heading into tomorrow’s contest against the Portland Timbers (4 p.m. ET, newyorkredbulls.com).

“First and foremost, physically it’s getting some guys 90 minutes,” Wolyniec said. “Few guys probably will get their first 90 minutes of the preseason, so that’s primary. Then you know we had some issues in our last game, so we’re just trying to fix some of those and make sure that we continue to improve and get better and make sure that we’re putting a lot into this game physically so we can build up for the season but also making sure our tactics are getting tightened up.”

With a roster intertwined with First Teamers, Second Teamers, Red Bulls Academy players and trialists, Wolyniec and his staff staff understands the different demands of evaluating possible signings. The coaching staff also understands the need to make sure there are enough minutes to spread around to get game fitness up to snuff as both the MLS and USL seasons approach.

“Like I said, the primary goal tomorrow is to get some guys 90 minutes, so that leaves it a little bit more difficult to look at some guys, but at the same time you’ve got to balance that as part of preseason,” Wolyniec said. “You always have a couple of guys that you’re looking at and trying to figure out who makes sense.

The USL staff will also prepare for roster additions ahead of their March 17 Home Opener against TFC II at Red Bull Arena.

“You want to give them the best opportunity possible to show what they can do, so some of that is playing time, some of that is putting them in proper positions, proper formations so they can show their best,” Wolyniec said. “At the same time, we want them to show what they can do in our system, so balancing that is tricky but between the next two games we can get some answers and at the same time get guys really primed for the season.”