RED BULLS HIGH SCHOOL CUP: A LOOK BACK

Players and coaches arrived at Giants Stadium on Friday afternoon for the second-annual High School Cup presented by adidas for a training session, where they got acquainted with not only an 80,000-seat facility, but also their fresh-faced teammates. The event, which pits New Jersey and New York's premier high school talent against one another, followed the Red Bulls' tilt with FC Dallas.

Following the players' two-hour session, RBR caught up with two from each side and discussed what their first training session was like at Giants Stadium, the atmosphere of a professional facility, the experience of entering the Red Bulls' locker room, how any tactical preparation is difficult because of unfamiliar faces as teammates and how this game represents a culmination to a chapter in these players' soccer novel.

Manny Caicedo (M - Clifton, NJ) on the atmosphere of the Giants Stadium locker room:


Marlon Letlow (D - Roosevelt, NY) on the training session on Friday:


Alan Bernstein (GK - Wayne Hills, NJ) on his impression on playing at Giants Stadium:


Pat Cantwell (D - West Islip, NY) comparing Giants Stadium to his high school facility:

Sporting Director Jeff Agoos addresses the players and coaches


Head Coach Juan Carlos Osorio gives the players some advice

A dinner reception followed, where Cup participants were greeted by Sporting Director Jeff Agoos and Red Bulls head coach Juan Carlos Osorio. Both addressed the graduating seniors, and the message was simple: Local talent is important. Red Bulls players were scattered, dining with players and coaches.


Kevin Goldthwaite chats with some
of the High School Cup participants