Erik Solér Speaks; New Red Bulls Trialist Rumors

This week's edition of Red Bulls Insider features an interview from Florida with Sporting Director Erik Solér on the state of the team as we head into the final two weeks of pre-season training.  The interview contains no major revelations, but there are a few interesting things to note:

• Solér feels the team still needs to add a few more pieces before the start of the season in order to make the playoffs, which he says would be a realistic first year goal.
• The club is happy with the crop of draftees they were able to land in Philadelphia, with Solér going so far as to say that all of them could make a contribution in the coming year. 
• Though some fans voiced frustration when the Red Bulls brought in a foreign sporting director with no prior experience in MLS, Solér seems to have adapted well and understands the league's unique restrictions.

Speaking of new pieces, each day seems to bring more trialist rumors and today is no exception.  Belgian striker Ibrahim Salou would appear to be on his way to the States for a trial with the Red Bulls, according to the website of his current club, Vejle of Demark's first division.  A Dutch site, meanwhile, claims that Ukrainian midfielder Evgeniy Levchenko, who has previously bounced around Holland and is currently with Saturn Moscow of the Russian League, is training with the Red Bulls and could arrive in MLS on a free transfer.

Finally, we'd like to encourage all of our readers to subscribe to "Seeing Red!" via their newly established iTunes page.  It's the only weekly podcast focusing on the Red Bulls and New York/New Jersey soccer.  The first two episodes have been sheer quality, so subscribe via iTunes and tune in!

Erik Solér Speaks; New Red Bulls Trialist Rumors