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The New York Red Bulls have completed the signing of goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul to a contract through 2012, sources confirmed to SBI on Monday. To make room for Coundoul, the Red Bulls have waived goalkeeper Jon Conway.
The Red Bulls acquired the rights to Coundoul from the Colorado Rapids for an undisclosed allocation fee before reaching a contract agreement with Coundoul on Monday. Coundoul's agent, New York-based agent Ron Waxman, confirmed the agreement.
Coundoul started for the Rapids in 2007 and 2008, compiling a 17-22-12 record with an impressive 1.16 goals-against average (the second-best career average in league history). He left the Rapids after last season when he failed to reach an agreement on a new contract.
Raised in New York, the Senegal native and Senegalese national team goalkeeper enjoyed a solid 2008, including an appearance for Senegal in the 2008 African Cup of Nations.
Coundoul, 27, is expected to eventually take over as the Red Bulls starting goalkeeper, replacing the talented but erratic Danny Cepero.
Conway's departure ends a four-year tenure with the Red Bulls. He started 63 matches for the Red Bulls, posting a 23-24-15 record during that time. He enjoyed his best season in 2008, before having his season ended by a 10-game suspension for violating Major League Soccer's performance enhancing drug opolicy. He returned from his suspension early in 2009 but he never showed the consistency or form he displayed in the first half of 2008, eventually losing his job to Cepero.
What next for Conway? It is a safe bet that the Chester, Pa. native will wind up with the Philadelphia Union in 2010.
What do you think of this move? Glad to see it? Think it's pointless given how bad a year it has been for New York? Surprised to see Conway let go?
Share your thoughts below.
Bye JOHN CONWAY …GOOD LUCK IN YOUR NEXT TEAM, TIME TO LET YOU GO, PLEASE TAKE JC OSORIO WITH YOU, NOBODY WILL MISS BOTH OF YOU.
I MISS JEFF PARKE.
HE IS A GENTLEMAN AND GOOD DEFENDER:)
Funny. I’ve been a Red Bull season ticket holder for years and, in all those years, I’ve not heard one harsh word towards Jon Conway…in fact, I remember all the so-called “fans” really pulling for him at alot of points in his career. EVERYONE flocked to Conway at the post-game pub appearances, EVERYONE had to have a picture with Jonny. Now that he’s gone, apparently, EVERYONE hated him. Fandom, I tell ya…
In response to the earlier suggestion that RBNY keep Conway and let him ride the bench for the rest of the season…the MLS campaign may be out of reach, but the Champions League looms and, honestly, I think JCO needs to at least qualify for the group stage in order to save his job in NY, and THAT’S why all the changes are coming now.
Good luck, Bouna, and best of luck, Jon.
As for me…I’m gonna let the move play itself out and actually WATCH what happens before I spout an opinion…I suggest the rest of you “Red Bull fans” do the same.
I’m surprised at how many people dislike Condoul. I think he is an excellent goalkeeper and fun to watch. Maybe that’s why a lot of NYRB fans don’t like him. They are not used to that kind of thing:)
He is easily a big improvement over Cepero and Conway. Even if he ends up playing erratically and doesn’t return to the great form he had for an extended period of time with Colorado, he will lessen the boredom that is the trademark of NYRB.
Why are so many people acting like this means NYRB is making a statement that goalkeeping was their problem or that this means they are blaming Conway? When you are as bad as NYRB, ANY improvement is welcome. This IS an improvement. It’s also long overdue. Conway was NEVER a starting goalkeeper.