Luke Rodgers is still not among the New York Red Bulls' ranks as the team descends on Arizona for the second phase of their preseason preparations, and Hans Backe says the team is still in the dark as to when they might be joined by one of their key performers from last season.

The Red Bulls head coach revealed on Wednesday that the team is still awaiting word on Rodgers' visa status, which has been slow to take shape due to the English striker's prior arrest record.