Red Bulls' director welcomes NYCFC

By foxsports
Published

New York Red Bulls' sporting director Andy Roxburgh believes Manchester City's involvement in the MLS will bring some rivalry to the Big Apple.

The English club has formed a unique partnership with baseball giants the New York Yankees in a new franchise which is set to enter MLS in 2015.

New York City FC will become the league's 20th club and the first franchise in the city itself, with the Red Bulls based in Harrison, New Jersey.

Former Scotland manager Roxburgh, who joined the Red Bulls last November after working with UEFA as technical director for over 18 years, is looking forward to the type of rivalry he believes to be the lifeblood of the game.

The 69-year-old said: "From a sporting point of view - I can't talk from a business point of view - we are delighted about it.

"Our reaction was 'great' because they will be a big rival. It is competition and that's fine.

"Two big teams in one town; some people might think it is bad news but it isn't bad news from a football point of view.

"Whether it is Liverpool and Everton or Rangers and Celtic; those are big rivalries.

"They will try to take our fans but in this region - New York and New Jersey - you are talking about millions and millions of people so there is plenty of room for two teams.

"The biggest problem is the other sports, they take thousands of people.

"So yes, they (NYCFC) will compete for the youth players but competition never harmed anybody."