The Red Bulls view Juan Pablo Angel as among the best strikers in MLS and most important signings in club history. And Angel, who signed a multi-year extension today, said his family feels at home in New York, and he plans to make the Red Bulls perennial champions and the face of the league.
“It’s an honor to continue be part of this organization. Getting this done was very important for me and my family. We’ve been working really hard over the last couple months and finally got it done, and at the right time, before the season,” said Angel, who added reaching the MLS Cup final played a big part in his decision.
“That was vital. What happened with the team was phenomenal. I’m very excited for this coming season. It’s not going to be easy. We’re excited about trying to (get there) again. This is a young organization (but) we have target. We did something last year that was something in our target, which was being at MLS Cup. A couple of years in this organization we were able to get something done, to achieve something.
“Obviously, the future looks bright for us. We’re trying to build something for the future. We want to be champions of this league, competing for championships year-in and year-out. When somebody talks about MLS, we want to be the team everybody talks about.”
There is indeed only one Juan Pablo Angel. And the Red Bulls have him through 2010, with an option for 2011.
Angel’s 33 goals in his two years in MLS are the most of any player in the league. Managing director Erik Stover and sporting director Jeff Agoos were coy about how much money Angel got _ his $1.59 million last year was fourth behind L.A.’s David Beckham ($6.5 million), Chicago’s Cuauhtemoc Blanco ($2.6 million) and D.C. United bust Marcello Gallardo ($1.8 million) _ but they agreed he should be among the highest-paid.
“Our goal is to build a top-flight organization in every facet. As a player and a person, Juan Pablo epitomizes that. We believe Juan Pablo is one of the most important signings in our franchises’ history,” Agoos said. “Juan is not only one of the franchises’ most important signings and potent strikers, but the league’s. He should be one of the most highly paid players
“With Juan Pablo, we have a new standard of what the designated player should be, not only for this team, but for this league.”
It can’t be argued that while Becks has made the Galaxy more cash off the field, Angel has been the most succesful Designated Player on the pitch, and perhaps in the locker room as well.
“On the football side, 33 goals in 47 games speaks for itself. What Juan has shown everybody is a great finisher, capable of playing in many different systems: Playing by himself up front by himself or with one or two players,” said coach Juan Carlos Osorio. “(The work ethic) he has shown in every game and every practice is second to none. He is a very good example, not only for the young players, but every player. He brings that willingness to become better: That is contagious.”
Angel was under contract for this season, and he has an extension for 2010 _ the scheduled opening of Red Bull Arena _ and there is an option for 2011.
“This is a clear sign from the organization that stability and organization, on and off the field is very important for us. This is the first of many steps to solidify our organization from top to bottom,” said Stover, who was coy about whether an extension for Osorio as well will be part of that stability. But Angel said Red Bull Arena will be a huge part of it.
“I’m really looking forward to when we start playing at the Red Bull Arena which I’m sure, I have no doubt, is going to be the best stadium (in MLS),” Angel said. “Of course, I’m really excited about it. Everyone should have their own soccer stadium and facility. I wish it was going earlier. I am looking forward to it because at the end of the day it will be our home field. It is going to have a completely different atmosphere than what we have right now.”
