New York will begin to gather themselves Monday as preseason training kicks off this Tuesday. EoS has been told Interim Coach Mike Petke will be running training sessions alongside Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh. Remember, Roxburgh held the position of UEFA Technical Director for 18 years making him more than up to the task at hand.

The duo will have much work to do, including the preliminary evaluations of trialists who are already being linked to the side.

It has been long known that one man who will be working to regain his job is Tyler Ruthven. The 24 year old centerback surprised reporters and fans alike last season as he took a lead role in shoring up the Red Bulls backline during an injury plagued stretch in May. The result? He was an integral part of a franchise record tying five game winning streak.

Current Fort Lauderdale Strikers centerback Toni Stahl has also been connected to the team. MLS Soccer’s Franco Panizo cites sources connecting the former Philadelphia Union defender with New York. Stahl, 27, is a Finnish footballer. He was named to the 2011 NASL Best XI Team after a resoundingly difficult stay with the Union (he made all of one appearance with the club, earning a red card). However, at 6’3″ and coming off a relatively successful stay with the Strikers, New York will give the big man a look.

Finally, another familiar face has surfaced. Nicki Patterson, last seen in 2012 competing for a roster spot against eventual Red Bull Digao, will be given another look by the club according to Big Apple Soccer. Patterson, 27, was 2nd in scoring, 3rd in shots and 3rd in points during the 2012 USL Pro season.