The Red Bulls landed midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy from Colorado for enigmatic striker Macoumba Kandji. The move gives them a crisp-passing midfielder that can help boost their MLS Cup hopes.
“We have seen Mehdi in several matches and think that he will be a good fit for our squad,” said Red Bull New York General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler. “We have been looking for an attacking midfielder throughout the season and Mehdi certainly has the attributes to play that role for us. We are excited to have him as we make our run towards the MLS playoffs.”
The 27-year-old Ballouchy has three goals and a Rapids-high five assists in 21 games _ 19 starts. The Moroccan-born midfielder has been with Colorado since the Rapids traded away midfielder Kyle Beckerman for him in July 2007. He had two goals and a career-high seven assists last season.
“Colorado is one of the better teams in the league, and Ballouchy is absolutely a key player. He is excellent,” coach Hans Backe had said before the teams played to a 1-1 tie on July 4.
And he hadn’t even seen Ballouchy’s performance against the Red Bulls in Colorado’s 4-0 rout last July. You can catch a glimpse here, with the midfielder setting up the third goal at the 4:37 mark _ a score off a rebound from his ripped shot _ and then blasting home a perfect long-range free-kick at 5:18.
Kandji was signed by New York on Sept. 15, 2008 from the Atlanta Silverbacks of USL-1. He scored one goal for New York this season and played in 41 total regular season games for the club, notching six goals and seven assists.
But, as athletic as Kandji was, and as explosive and impressive as he could be in one-on-one matchups, he did not excell in the team game. Ballouchy _ making $88,000 this season _ is a slick and smart passer who better fits the free-flowing attacking soccer that Backe wants to play.
It remains to be seen how Backe shoehorns his newest toy into an already-stacked midfield.
Will he sit rapidly-improving rookie Tony Tchani, the second overall pick in the draft who has excelled since forcing his way into the regular lineup July 31 in Houston? Or will he slide Mexican National Team captain Rafa Marquez back from holding midfield to centerback alongside rookie Tim Ream, thus benching veteran Carlos Mendes?
