KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Despite spending the entirety of his professional career in Europe prior to his arrival in MLS this past December, forward Adam Buksa knows a thing or two about the heat and humidity of central Florida, where the New England Revolution arrived on Thursday afternoon ahead of the MLS is Back Tournament, set to begin next week.
Speaking as the Revs began their journey from the club’s training facility in Foxborough, Mass., Buksa revealed that not only has he played in the Orlando area, but he has actually competed at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, where the MLS is Back Tournament will be held from July 8 – August 11.
It was just under slightly different circumstances.
“When I was 12 years old, I had the chance to play in Orlando, in the Disney Cup, so I know what to expect regarding weather,” Buksa said. “I had plenty of fun. I was with my club from Kraków – Wisła Kraków. We won the tournament. It was a fantastic adventure.
“But it was already 11 years ago, so I think things might have changed.”
Wisla Kraków were champions of the Under-13 division at the 2008 Disney Cup, going 2-0-1 in the group stage to edge out FB Chivas Houston. It was an experience that helped shape young Buksa’s fondness for the United States, where eventually he joined up with the Revs as a promising 23-year-old striker.
Now that experience could prove useful once again, as the 2008 Disney Cup took place between July 15 and July 20, mirroring the time of year Buksa and the Revs will play in the MLS is Back Tournament.
“It’s going to be very hot, very humid,” Buksa said. “I think conditions will be the same for every team. It’s not going to be easier or harder for any other team. I think it might influence, a little bit, the tempo of the game, but I think everything will be fine. We just need to play smart until we’re ready to do it.
“As I said before, we’re ready for the tournament.”
New England are slated to train for the first time in the Florida heat on Friday, ahead of their MLS is Back Tournament opener against the Montreal Impact at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 9 (Univision, Twitter, 98.5 The Sports Hub).
