Report: Cluster of first-teamers including Gonzalo Veron being considered for New York Red Bulls II time

Looking for an excuse to check out New York Red Bulls II? Well, the team's 2017 home opener is on April 1 at Montclair State University - kickoff is at 4:00 pm and the opponent will be Richmond Kickers. But if you've got plans for the weekend and maybe need a little more incentive to make time for the II team: consider the April 5 game against Harrisburg City Islanders.

NYRB II's first midweek match of the new season will be Wednesday, April 5. And it is scheduled to be played - for old times' sake, or maybe because Montclair State's field is booked - at Red Bull Arena. Also, RBNY head coach Jesse Marsch has advised he might send several members of his first team squad to play for the reserves against HCI at RBA.

Per Kristian Dyer, reporting for MSG Networks - and tacked on to an engaging interview with Bradley Wright-Phillips - Marsch has said Gonzalo Veron, Michael Murillo, Alex Muyl, Derrick Etienne, and Ryan Meara might get time with the II team on April 5. The fact Marsch expects those players to need minutes against HCI would seem to signal that they're not being seriously considered for time for RBNY against Houston Dynamo on April 1 - though that isn't really surprising news with regard to any of that group of players, for varying reasons.

Veron is working back to fitness after an early-season injury; Meara is RBNY's reserve 'keeper and unlikely to get a start for the first team unless Luis Robles is injured; Muyl and Etienne appear to be competing for the first-attacking-sub role at the moment; Murillo is a right back stuck behind Sal Zizzo and Connor Lade on the depth chart.

Murillo might be the most intriguing of the potential temporary II-teamers, since he has yet to appear for the first team. So for a first look at RBNY's newest right back prospect, maybe give some thought to watching the II team on April 5.