With the Red Bulls suffering through a 2-11-4 season, they plan on making some changes. Buying out underachieving, overpaid Argentine Juan Pietravallo was the first step, but it won’t be the last.
“We’re focusing on strengthening the team, and bringing in players to turn around the results we had in the first part of the season,” said sporting director Jeff Agoos. “(But) I don’t think we’ll overhaul the roster like we did last year.”
But they do have two open roster spots now, a senior one after the release of Pietravallo and a developmental spot. Agoos said they planned to bring in a few trialists, although didn’t expect the massive second-half changes of last season. Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Ernst Obster and ex-Colorado Rapids keeper Bouna Coundoul have already both been in on trial. Coach Juan Carlos Osorio has been impressed with the former ever since the 25-year-old Austrian scored a cracker of a goal against them in a preseason scrimmage last year.
“He made an impression on me. I always liked him as a player. We fell he can contribute,” Osorio said of the left-footed Obster, whom the club is very interested in acquiring.
Obster wanted to come to New York last year, but Salzburg wouldn’t let him. This time around, he told me they’re willing to let him come on a loan for the final year of his contract, although the Red Bulls would still have to wait until the July 15 transfer window.
Coundoul played well in his trial, but the Bronx resident and Martin Luther King High School grad sprained his ankle. He’ll resume his trail when the team returns to New Jersey after Saturday’s game in Columbus.
“Bouna unfortunately got injured on the second day of (his trial). At the moment, we haven’t done anything with him,” Osorio said of the 27-year-old former Senegal National Team keeper.
The Red Bulls would still have to work out a deal with the Rapids for his rights; but at last they’re somewhat in the same ballpark if he impresses and makes deposed Jon Conway surplus to requirements.
Of course, we’ve long told you left-winger Khano Smith is likely to be left out before contracts become guaranteed Wednesday. The Red Bulls are looking for defensive help, although they are NOT signing Colombian Breyner Bonilla, despite reports coming out of South America.
What do you make of these doings? Does it give you any hope for the rest of the season? Of _ considering Obster and Coundoul aren’t that old _ as test-drives for next year? Do you want to see Smith waived or do you think he can salvage his campaign? Hollar at us…..
