We've heard the reports already that Red Bulls' goalkeeper, Bouna Coundoul, was called up to the Senegalese national team on the next FIFA International date, August 11. It has also been confirmed that our newest signing, Rafa Márquez, will be playing for the Mexican side against Spain that day.
Now, head coach Hans Backe has said we will be without five players for the Toronto match on August 11. “We will be shorthanded probably with five players against Toronto [Aug. 11] and we will have exhausted players against the Galaxy [Aug. 14] with players coming from Paraguay and Estonia,” Backe said. “I’m a little frustrated by that. I don’t see how that can be fair.”
While no other names are named, a little investigation on the interwebs has helped me to draw reasonable conclusions. First off, Backe says that a player will be returning from Estonia. Clearly that is Joel Lindpere (pictured), who already has 74 caps and 5 goals for his country. They are beginning their Euro 2012 qualification on August 11 against Faroe Islands.
Coach Backe also mentioned a player returning from Paraguay. As it turns out, Costa Rica is playing a friendly in Paraguay, which leads me to believe that Roy Miller has gotten a call. He's been capped 14 times, including in both of Costa Rica's World Cup playoff matches against Uruguay.
Finally, this story appeared in the Trinidad Express newspaper today, confirming that Dane Richards has been called up for Jamaica's friendly and Carribean Cup tune-up against Trinidad and Tobago.
It looks like the Red Bulls have been put in a real bind by the scheduling geniuses at MLS headquarters. So we'll probably be seeing something like Greg Sutton, Tony Tchani, Danliegh Borman, Seth Stammler, and Sinisa Ubiparipovic. At least all of these players have seen considerable time this season, but it is frustrating that, now that we're putting together such a great squad, it seems like it will be forever before we will see a fully fit First XI take the pitch at home in the Cathedral of Football, Red Bull Arena, built by Makita.
In any case, congratulations to Bouna, Rafa, Dane, Joel, and Roy! Do your countries, and the Red Bulls, proud!
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