New York Red Bulls camp opened at Montclair State University this past week to player’s away and empty roster spots. Head coach Hans Backe confirmed that German netminder Frank Rost would not be rejoining the team. Central Midfielder Carl Robinson is no longer with the team and has joined the Vancouver Whitecaps coaching staff.
Draft days
On the day of the MLS Super Draft, NY signed 6 ft 3 Swedish defender Markus Holgersson. The Red Bulls traded their 2013 pick to the Portland Timbers for forward Kenny Cooper. With their lone pick, 31st of the draft, NY took Fordham goalkeeper Ryan Meara.
In the MLS Supplemental Draft, NY selected defender Mike Volk, midfielder Christian Barreiro, and midfielder Nate Polak.
Backline
Centerback Tim Ream to Bolton Wanderer’s is a done deal. The transfer fee is set somewhere between 2.5-3 million pounds after Ream obtained his work permit. NY will now look to sign Wilman Conde, formerly of the Chicago Fire, and possibly another centerback. Stephen Keel was resigned with the team last week.
Twitter spots
Two separate (possible) player moves for NY were spotted this week thanks to current Red Bull players’ tweets. First, forward Corey Hertzog tweeted:
“@HertzogRBNY06: Just watched Tangled with @jeremy_vuolo! haha #nohomo”.
Vuolo is a 24 year old American ‘keeper playing in Finland with AC Oulu and the tweet has since disappeared. Last Friday night, MLS Red Bulls beat writer @KristianRDyer tweeted that league sources confirm the signing of Vuolo.
Englishmen Tom Willimas also had a twitter exchange with a Red Bull player, this time Matt Kassel. One tweet all but confirmed Williams arrival:
“@MrTomWilliams:
Williams has featured both defensively and in the midfield in the past. He’ll likely come in as a backup for Roy Miller, who while he was away or injured, the Red Bulls had difficulty fielding a proper player there.
Caracas denial
Renny Vega has continually linked himself with a move to MLS and the New York Red Bulls. Erik Soler and Hans Backe have both denied these reports with Backe even going as far as saying that he’s never heard of the player. Vega is the first string keeper for Venezuela, so it is unclear why Backe would want his services. A know reason Backe sat Bouna Coundol was the fact he hoped on a plane anytime Senegal came calling upon his services. Even though MLS is not playing games on FIFA dates, travel can be hard on a player. The move could work if Vuolo is the teams future number one and he will learn from Vega while taking over when Vega is called up. Wasn’t that supposed to be Frank Rost’s job?
Packed midfield
NY’s midfield is looking to be filled to the top and overflowing, all without the presence of a true #10. Holding midfielders Teemu Tainio and Rafa Marquez will be back, speedy Dane Richards down the right flank, along Dax McCarty and Mehdi Balouchy probably being relegated to become substitutions.
According to Brian Lewis of The NY Post, Joel Lindpere was at training this week despite not having signed a contract extension. Lindpere hopes to sit down with Sporting Director Eric Soler and discuss the issue. Best case, Lindpere signs a multi-year deal and receives the pay he deserves. Worst case, Lindpere is with the team until the European summer transfer window.
The Scorn of Salzburg is back in New York. Brian Nielsen, although out of contract with NY, is at the training grounds. NY owns the rights to pick Nielsen up for one more year and will remain training with the team through their Mexico trip.
Brian Lewis also reported that NY was adding two midfielders this coming week. Both would be free transfers, with one currently playing in Europe but out of contract. While Williams is thought to be one of the players, Icelandic midfielder Victor Palsson is quoted as being the other. According to Palsson, his contract was ripped up mutually and has since become a free agent, all upon learning NY was interested in him. Palsson told fotbolti.net that he was flown out to Oslo and was already in negotiaions with Erik Soler.
Depleted striking core
While it may seem NY has more strikers than midfielders, the truth is they are quite depleted up top. Thierry Henry is away on loan to Arsenal, missing matches for a “calf” injury. Kenny Cooper is said to be joining the team at a later date in training. Juan Agudelo is currently in the January USMNT camp. Hans Backe will not comment either way on the interest from other clubs in young Agudelo. A move would be best for Agudelo though. Even if they don’t retain Luke Rodgers, he will once again barely see minutes as Backe’s confidence in him has waned. Agudelo has the potential to be a key component up front for the USMNT come Brazil 2014 but without regular club minutes, he will never develop properly.
Luke Rodger’s status with the team is currently unknown because of visa issues. Rodgers, who was one of the key difference makers for RBNY last season, had troubles with the law while back in England in 2009. When NY tried to bring him over the first time, it was rejected. Rodgers finally came over for the 2011 season and instantly won over fans with his play.
Incoming trialists
Kristen Dyer reported a league source that New York will be bringing in 3 trialists on top of former FCNY standout Johnny Artega. Giorgi Chirgadze, Joseph Niuky and Kwame Holder will be joining the striker and New York for this week in training.
(image courtesy of thedenimkit.com)
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