What a cold one here in RBNY Land! But nevermind the cold - I'm already getting RBNY withdrawal symptoms. In about a month, we'll be getting into high gear for the coming season. In the meantime, there are a few tidbits, from this past week, worth discussing.
First off, the stage two of the Re-Entry Draft took place yesterday. Suprise, surprise - Bruce Arena selected Juan Pablo Angel. It seems that the Galaxy might very well lose Edson Buddle this off-season, so signing a proven MLS forward like Angel might be good business. The Galaxy will now have 7 days to make the legendary Colombian an offer. If he doesn't sign with LA, Angel is considering returning to either Argentina or Colombia to finish out his career.
Out of contract Red Bulls midfielder/defender Luke Sassano was also selected by Los Angeles, but his rights were promptly shipped to Sporting Kansas City (that's not rolling off the tongue quite yet) for the rights to Frankie Hejduk. Kansas City will also have 7 days to make Sassano an offer. For a full list of MLS offseason player moves, please click here.
Red Bulls phenom Juan Agudelo has impressed in the MLS Genaration Adidas squad's trip to Spain. According to Alfonso Mondelo, the former MetroStars coach who is currently MLS Director of Player Programs, Atletico Madrid has inquired about the 18 year old RBNY forward, whose star is quickly rising. Red Bulls management has, apparently, told Atletico that Agudelo is NOT FOR SALE. It's interesting also that the same article (by the great Brian Lewis) says this:
"The fact the Red Bulls and Atletico Madrid are both partners in a new 10-team alliance provided plausibility to a move".I linked a story about this proposed partnership last week. At the time, the Red Bulls were said to be in the running with two other MLS clubs (San Jose & Chivas USA) for a spot in this proposed partnership. I guess RBNY is in.
Thierry Henry was in Salzburg, Austria recently, for God knows what. While there he gave this interview (German - and you have to click on Desktop Version, then back to the link) where he spoke highly of the level of play in MLS. From a google translation: "I would invite many teams to play in the MLS. Trust me, they would not win many games". Not bad, coming from the legendary Frenchman.
Red Bull Arena will host a 2011 Gold Cup first round double-header on Monday, June 13th. A quarter-finals double header will take place at the New Meadowlands Stadium the following Saturday (June 18th). For a complete list of 2011 Gold Cup venues, please click here. Undoubtedly, Red Bulls season ticket holders will get first crack at both events.
Last, it seems that Christmas came early for the Red Bulls. Santa showed up today bearing some Allocation money, by way of Houston. Remember Hunter Freeman? He was a Red Bulls defender that was traded to Toronto FC late in 2008, as he wasn't going to re-sign. Toronto gave up 2 draft picks and had Freeman for a total of 4 months before he moved to the Norwegian League. Well, somehow the Red Bulls retained his rights, so when Freeman decided to return to MLS as a Dynamo player, Houston had to give up a some Allocation money to the Red Bulls. This money is always useful for buying down player salaries and helping teams conform with the Salary Cap. And I betcha the Red Bulls weren't even expecting it.
That's all for now. Hopefully we'll have more to discuss next week. Viper Out!
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