New York City FC touched down in Manchester on Friday to start the second leg of preseason training.
Head coach Jason Kreis and his team are based at the City Football Academy, opposite the Etihad Stadium, as preparations ramp up ahead of MLS kickoff in March.
As well as training together, the team is scheduled to play two preseason friendlies -- against Brondby on Wednesday and vs. St Mirren on Feb. 15 -- in the 7,000 capacity stadium on site. The facilities opened last November, and have been described as the best in the world – the ideal venue for the players and coaching staff to work together ahead of the club’s historic first season.
NYCFC midfielder Andrew Jacobson said: “Everyone in the world says it’s amazing here but you really don’t know how good it is until you pull up. It’s much bigger than I thought it would be and actually much more impressive. I was blown away. Every pitch is in great condition and it’s top-notch.
“You hear about it and hear that it’s the best in the world but until you get here you can’t imagine it. Right now we’re joining together as a team and becoming a cohesive unit. This is a great opportunity for us and we’re enjoying it.”
Defender Kwame Watson-Siriboe is looking forward to the chance to continue the team-building that started so well in Florida.
“We’re working together and learning the system for the first time, which has been great," he said. "This is only the second or third week training together so we’re still learning each other’s tendencies and our personalities; learning how we play together and enjoying it together.
“The season is coming up pretty quick, so we’re getting used to what our manager wants and it’s coming along great. We’re taking it one day at a time and I think by the time the season starts we’ll be ready to go.”
The defender had the chance to train at the CFA with goalkeeper Josh Saunders at the end of last year, and he admits the facility has to be seen to be believed.
“I came here to train in early December and I think this place is gorgeous," Watson-Siriboe said. "The facilities are outstanding. It’s state of the art and we’ve just been taking it all in and enjoying it. I did tell the other guys how good it is here but sometimes I think you actually have to see it to understand how good it is. As we were driving up we saw the stadium and then facility and it was incredible.”
Jeb Brovsky added: "I think all the boys were excited to see the facilities. Obviously this is a world-class facility here and I think coming from Florida we’re ready to really get after it and we’re ready to get back on the pitch.”
For a photo gallery of the first day of training from CFA, click HERE.
