HARRISON, N.J. – After a record-setting season that saw the New York Red Bulls II win both the 2016 USL Cup and Regular Season Championship, the question of what the side can accomplish to follow that is a fascinating storyline going into the 2017 USL season.

All Head Coach John Wolyniec knows for certain, though, is it will be much harder as the team defending the crown than the one vying to claim it.

“Yeah, it’s always hard the season after you have a lot of success,” Wolyniec said in a Q&A on NewYorkRedBulls.com. “You’re going to have a target on your back. It’s certainly not going to be easy, but also with that success we’ve moved some guys on which is great so a lot of times it depends who’s with us. We’re ready for it, we want that, we want all the games to be hard, we want the other teams to give us their best, so I think it’s going to be a good year for us.”

Among those players who’ve moved on are 2016 USL Defender of the Year Aaron Long, who made his MLS debut on Sunday against Atlanta United FC following a pair of appearances in the CONCACAF Champions League, and midfielders Derrick Etienne Jr. and Tyler Adams – both members of the 2016 USL 20 Under 20 – are expected to play regular roles in MLS this season.

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While their absences will make life a little trickier for Wolyniec this season, he’s understandably pleased to see the work the players have put in pay off career-wise.

“It’s great. I’m proud of them, it’s a credit to them,” said Wolyniec. “Guys like Aaron Long and other guys who have worked really hard to see them step up on the field in a relatively short period of time with the first team is great. We’re real excited as a staff and as a team, and as a club in general, young guys are coming along and making strides. It certainly makes things hard for Jesse [Marsch] to make decisions which is what he wants so like I said it’s a credit to those guys.”

One thing the Red Bulls II do have to look forward to this season is the club’s move to Montclair State University. With the side set for its home opener on April 1 against the Richmond Kickers, Wolyniec hopes the new venue will give the side a boost in the stands, with the intimate atmosphere at the venue a definite plus for fans and players alike.

“Playing at Montclair [State], getting some fans there and creating an atmosphere there is important,” Wolyniec said. “That atmosphere can affect the way the game is played. We’re hoping that there’s a good atmosphere and environment that promotes our players to put a lot into the games and for them to realize that there’s a bunch a people watching us, so we better play hard.”