Red Bulls Enter 2012 with Holes in Roster

The New York Red Bulls went into the 2011 MLS season as the Eastern Conference favorites to go to MLS Cup. We all know that didn’t happen and the myriad of reasons of why they fell short. The Red Bulls have a few major needs going into the 2012 season on their roster. The Red Bulls pick 31st in the MLS Superdraft, so they will need to look elsewhere to fill in their gaps and rebuild their depth.

Sporting Director Eric Soler was interviewed while at the MLS Combine on a few issues plaguing their roster. Within the week, we’ll know of GK Frank Rost’s ultimate fate with the team. It seems NY is set on signing a young American keeper, with international experience. This yank abroad will, ideally, come under the tutelage of Rost this year. Soler hopes Rost will slip into a front office role and the young yank will become the number one goalkeeper for the future. Could the Red Bulls draft a third gk in the Superdraft, it’s a strong possibility.

Another area of concern for the Red Bulls is the rest of their backline. At every position, their either lack depth, or bodies that have minutes played. With Rafa Marquez moving back into the midfield, Tim Ream set for a transfer to EPL side Bolton (for 3.85 million dollars pending a work permit), and Carlo Mendes being picked up by Columbus in the Re-Entry draft, the center back position becomes an immediate area of concern. Still held on the roster is late-season hero Stephen Keel, second year player Sacir Hot (had only appeared in the US Open Cup with what fans deemed Baby Bulls), and recently signed St. John’s product Connor Lade. There is mixed reaction from fans regarding Lade as a CB merely because of his size. Lade stands at 5’5. My best guess is that Hans Bake will try to develop him to play in a different position. Who does that leave to play in the center for the Red Bulls? Well they just signed American Jonathan Borrajo from his Norwegian club, Hamarkameratene. Borrajo, a Clifton, NJ native, can be versatile on defense. Soler has pegged him to be a right fullback, pushing Jan Gunnar Solli to other positions if needed. Borrajo has also played at cb and at left back, a position Roy Miller has to normally fill by himself.

Borrajo won’t be enough for the Red Bulls in the middle defensively. Before Borrajo was even talked about, the Red Bulls were making waves in Sweden to sign Markus Holgersson, a cb who is strong in the air and on the ball. Originally, Holgersson’s physicality was thought to be the perfect compliment to Tim Ream’s technical ability. Holgersson is praised for his aerial ability, both on offense and on defense. It’s no surprise the Red Bulls are going out to get someone who is strong in the air. They were beyond awful on set pieces last year and no one on defense scored a goal last year. Th way Holgersson is being talked about it’s as if he is already in NJ awaiting camp to open Monday. Red Bull fans should be wary and remember not to believe anything until you see them step onto the field in Dallas on March 10^th. The Red Bulls are looking for one more center back if Ream moves onto Bolton and it looks to be one more American with experience abroad. Details on this third defensive signing will become more readily available if and when Ream heads out to England.

There are a few more roster questions fans have been posing since the Red Bulls defeat in LA against eventual champions LA Galaxy:

1. 1. Carl Robinson and his status: Carl Robinson’s last season was plagued with injury. Early on in the season he saw a few games for the Red Bulls before being moved to a coaching role along Mike Petke on the bench. Red Bull fans love Carl Robinson (not as much as Toronto FC fans, I know) and want to see him stay in the organization, maybe as a player coach. Robinson takes up an international slot and $75k in cap space. Robinson will be the first to admit he has lost some pep in his step. It will be interesting to see if he is still on the sidelines coaching but on the roster as a player.

1. 2. Brian Nielsen and his status: The former Danish star has had two years wrought with injury. On loan from Red Bull Salzburg, Nielsen had said he was looking forward to getting back to New York City. Nielsen saw about 4 minutes this past season. We kept being told he was ready to go and then he would pick up an injury in training the next day. Another international spot and 120K of salary space is being used up by Danish midfielder. He no doubt has talents and if he can stay healthy, he could be a viable replacement for Joel Lindpere who wants to move onto England. That’s IF he can stay healthy

1. 3. Creativity in the attack: The Red Bulls are hoping when Frank Rost signs, it is not as their third designated player. NY is looking to use that third DP slot to sign an attacking midfielder who can create chances for strike partners Henry and Rodgers. Last year the Red Bulls went out and picked up Dwayne De Rossario but he and his dp demands did not fit into Eric Soler and Hans Backe’s vision. They likely want to sign someone with a name almost as big as Henry and Marquez. Those thrown around in the last few years are Chelsea man Frank Lampard, Juventus star Alessandro Del Piero, and Michael Ballack. This signing will likely take place during the summer transfer window.

Hoping that Thierry Henry and Luke Rodgers stay healthy, there should be no need to go out and obtain another striker. Corey Hertzog is still on the books and let’s hope Hans Backe has developed him a bit more and can trust the youngster. Juan Agudelo will likely see more minutes in a USMNT kit than a Red Bulls one this year with the Olympic qualification, Olympics, World Cup qualifiers and other international friendlies.

(image courtesy of newyorkredbulls.com)