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No designated player slot for Red Bulls?

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You might want to hold off on making those lists of potential replacement designated players for the Red Bulls just yet.

According to multiple sources, including one team source, the Red Bulls will not be using the designated player slot left vacated by Claudio Reyna’s retirement this season.

According to the sources, Major League Soccer won’t let the Red Bulls use the slot this year and apparently the Red Bulls were not planning on using Reyna’s designated player slot this season anyway. First, it would mean paying a third player a large contract for this season (with Juan Pablo Angel and Reyna already due to make more than a combined $2.85 million this season). Secondly, the club has its sights set on using the slot to sign a high-profile player in the 2009 summer opening of Red Bull Park in Harrison.

So how does Reyna’s retirement help if not in the form of a designated player slot? If the league is allowing the Red Bulls to use his salary (believed to be a pro-rated $200,000) and roster slot, then the retirement should allow the team to go shopping for a starting forward, just not a marquee international forward.

League officials aren’t expected to make any public comments about the impact of Reyna’s retirement until after the retirement press conference on Wednesday so things should be clarified then. For now though, how disappointed are you to hear that the Red Bulls won’t use the second DP slot this season? Disappointed? Angry? Do you agree that it’s better to wait for the off-season or even next summer? Do you disagree and think the Red Bulls should go big for a top forward now? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Although I think an attacking combo of JPA and Henry would be sensational, do you think it’s more practical to use the other DP slot on a top flight Mid? A quality striker such as JPA would be just as good paired with a quality young striker. I think it’s very realistic to pluck one of the young English strikers who have no realistic chance of ever making the ENT. Check the Championship Division or even League 2. Then I would use all of my power to go to Argentina and see what it takes to lure Juan Roman Riquelme away from Boca Juniors. The man has no intention of playing for Villareal again and I think that would put the team and the league on the map a la Beckham, only that Riquelme is insane and real soccer fans would see the league as making steps in the right direction towards legitimacy. If people really believed Ronaldinho was realistic then I think Riquelme could be lured as well. Picture this team:

    Pietravallo

    Richards-Rojas

    Riquelme

    Young English Guy-JPA

    I would think that team has a chance to be very good. Your thoughts?

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  2. One question Ives. . .If this was the LA Galaxy, per se, would the “League” do the same thing or would they be bending over backward to accomodate the team? In the past the league has been inconsistent at best and biased at worst in thei application or rules.

    I have no problem waiting to use the DP spot on a better player next year than what we might be able to pick up now, but if there is someone JCO/RBNY is really hot on now and they are getting a stiff arm from the league than I think that is crap!.

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  3. My first thought when I read that Reyna was retiring was that if they fill the DP slot now then it makes it harder to bring in Henry next year. I think this means that we will see Henry play one more season at Barca and then come here next summer. NM

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  4. Please no Ruiz to NY. If true regarding the league not allowing NY to use the DP slot, just disillusions me more as a fan of this league. If you have the open slot, why can’t you use it? This should put to rest any claims that their is a NY bias. The league should be doing everything in their power to encourage teams to add talented players and thus put people in the seats. Again, if true, this just highlights another example of how far this league really has to go.

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  5. If Red Bull doesn’t sign a DP during this transfer window what type of DP will be available to them this winter when that player can only be signed for one more season at DP$?

    And when does Angel’s contract end? Can Red Bull sign a DP for 2 seasons, using the Chivas USA slot for one season and then transferring that player to their natural slot (Angel’s) after Angel leaves the team?

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  6. Why not send one of RBNY’s now extra defenders to LA for Carlos Ruiz, who would be a great compliment to JPA. Helps both teams, and the money should be close with Reyna’s slot and 200K off the books.

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  7. As frustrating as it is to wait, tilt215’s suggestion that MLS scrap salary cap and DP rules is ridiculous. I want a FAIR league where each team has to depend on good player development and acquisition to win. We have parity to thank for the attendance we DO have.

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  8. I was under the impression that the deal between Chivas and the Red Bulls went for 4-5 seasons. So wouldn’t that be 2011-2012, if Reyna was signed in 2007.

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  9. And what happens when RB park doesn’t open in 2009? If LA is allowed 3 players at DP salaries, “grandfathered” or not, we should at the very least be able to fill that spot for the remainder of the season.

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  10. I dont see a reason to rush into signing a new player this season. I would rather Red Bull take their time and woo a player over here.

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  11. If the DP designation is becoming an excuse for teams to spend big money on a 30-something star who “still has a few miles left in the tank” then let me say this is just NASL redux-talk.

    Listen. At some point we need to either spend the really big bucks to get a player still in his prime, or go even further and chance it on a younger player for less money. Yeah that might take some actual scouting to find a talented player who can actually succeed here. OTOH, spending the same few mill for an over-the-hill player is simply not worth it.

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  12. i say RB calls up the rapids and goes after Herculez Gomez. He’s not a world beater but he’ll make a great 2nd forward in this league. He’s still young and im sure he’s making a lot less than 200k. He’s not really getting heavy minutes in Colorado anyway

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  13. I’d love to see a marquee player this year as well, but at least what we are seeing is a long term vision of Osorio to build HIS team, not the Bruce Arena team he inherited. I am looking forward to see what he can do in the second half of this season and giving him the benefit of the doubt here. As you look back his combinations and player switching were indicative of his desire to build his team and to separate the wheat from the chaff. I just hope Angel can have the patience to wait for service and survive the inevitable double marking that will happen without a second threat in the front.

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  14. Is it just me or did the team do better generally under Bruce Arena? I realize there was some questionable behavior displayed in the playoffs, but look at his draft class, and look at the record. Osorio has not gotten it done this season. I don’t want to get rid of him, because what this club needs more than anything is some stability, but… this is a very frustrating year.

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  15. Anyone significant that they could lure now would remain a significant draw for the new park. I just don’t think they see anyone truly marquee that is available. Ronny just signed with Milan. Henry is going to be Barca’s primary striker. Ronaldo is hurt. It depends on the business model, really. Gilberto Silva, who speaks perfect English, would be a perfect addition, exactly the level of player MLS should aim for. But he’s not “marquee.”

    I still think they should go after Washington.

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  16. I think the Red Bulls owe the fans an attempt to get a good forward this year not necessarily a DP. We gave up Francis Doe for nothing and have no one to step in for Altidore. I like Woly coming off the bench and giving quality minutes but the team needs a major forward threat now.

    That said, if they don’t go for a DP this year, my expectation for next year is to go after a top quality player who is not injury prone and at the age where he can still make an impact in the league. Anything short of that, and I’ll be disappointed.

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  17. I think its fine not to rush into using the slot. A lot of people want to use it on a forward and I think that would be a mistake. I think it would be much better used on a playmaking attacking mid.

    In any case, Osorio should have longer to think about exactly what he needs and who is available rather than rush into a decision that could be binding for a couple of years.

    In the mean time, the team should look to sign a less expensive impact forward. Perhaps Carlos Ruiz.

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  18. How about giving some of that loot to Sinisa Ubiparipovic, so he cane, like, afford a large fries with his cheeseburger …

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  19. Adam, I’m sure the Jozy money is being used with these 4 players that are already coming in. The RedBulls are only allowed to use a certain amount on players. Its not like the can use several millions of it to bring in whoever they want.

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  20. We should suck it up and offer Ronaldinho a Beckham-like deal. Serioulsy. He would LOVE NYC. My wie is Brazilian, I’ll see if we can get in-touch with him.

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  21. If anyone’s going to be allowed to have a marquee player it’s New York. The market possibilities are just too tempting. Chubby Ronaldo anyone?

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  22. Pathetic from both the league and the club. As far as the idiocy of MLS goes, the DP slot belongs to the club, NY should be able to use it if they so wish. Also, under what other salary cap system does open cap space become prorated as the season goes along? Not to leave the club out, if they’re hedging their bet on opening the new stadium in order to sign a big name, they are morons as well. In that frame of mind, why don’t we just pack it in and call it a season now? I mean, I’m sure opening the stadium will immediately result in championships like it did for Dallas, Chicago, Colorado… wait a minute.

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  23. Damn, that sucks. Well, we should still be able to attract a decent striker in the interim with the money still on the table. But 2009 seems a long long way off for those of us who trek out to that dump to see crap football.

    Bob, the stadium is going up. Steel was supposed to start this week. Hopefully the delays are a thing of the past.

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  24. I think we have to find the right DP first but the Red Bulls should retain their DP slot. But Ives, comm’n let’s get real a new stadium by next year? I am more optimistic of Henry coming to NY than the Red Bulls getting a new stadium anytime soon.

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  25. I’m sorry — how sure is everyone that park will in fact be opening next summer? Haven’t they had delay after delay?

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  26. “First, it would mean paying a third player a large contract for this season (with Juan Pablo Angel and Reyna already due to make more than a combined $2.85 million this season).”

    I gotta call worst case of weaksauce on that if it’s true. We’re talking about a mult-billion dollar company here. If those contracts are a lot to them they shouldn’t be owners.

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  27. It’s smart to wait and splash the cash at a premier player next summer.

    I know RB fans dream of Henry. He ain’t coming now. So just hold on and see if you can lure him to NY next year.

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  28. Can’t say I’m surprised. Osorio has displayed a little more patience than I would of; but in the long run it may be useful to find someone for the short term and start fresh down the road. Replacing a DP isn’t something that happens easily. Finding the right player and gathering the resources takes time. I’m sure that Osorio has a list of forwards who could quickly be brought in to take the slot at the $200k or less price.

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  29. I should preface that RBNY is not my favorite team, but as an outsider it seems that they should work to be building some depth anyway. From a business perspective, aiming to lure an Henry/Ronaldinho caliber DP in ’09 makes a lot more since because the vast salary would be offset by having an easier time filling the new stadium. It doesn’t look like someone that high profile is available right now, anyway. Besides, if they did spend all that many on a true star, how would you feel about sending him out on the unforgiving Giant Stadium turf every other game.

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  30. Question: I thought Chivas USA received their slot back after two years? That was part of the initial deal for Guevara right? Couldn’t that be why the Energy Drinks don’t plan on using it?

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  31. Well hearing that RB wouldn’t be using the slot anyway kind of makes MLS’ ruling a bit of a moot point. But still, that prorated $200,000 is going to buy Metro a quality striker.

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  32. Also, I’m not particularly disappointed because I’ve learned to hold in check any enthusiasm I ever have for this team.

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  33. This is just very typical of what we have come to expect from the energy drink FC and MLS. Here’s an idea, with enough cities clamoring for a team, lets just ditch the whole ridiculous salary cap (or at the very least, raise it to a more reasonable amount). If teams cant afford to operate, there are plenty of cities looking to jump in and take their place. I think the time for the salary cap and DP is over.

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