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MLS Draft Team Recap: New York Red Bulls

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By MIKE NASTRI

Erik Soler and the New York Red Bulls said before the draft the team would concentrate on defense. That plan changed when some defensive targets were taken early and before Corey Hertzog fell to them at the 13th overall pick. The speedy Penn State forward will supply needed quality depth behind Thierry Henry or could play out wide.

The Red Bulls surprised again in the second round taking John Rooney, Wayne's younger brother. John showed well at the combine and can play either an attacking or holding midfield role.

New York finally went defense with its third pick, drafting NC State defender Tyler Lassiter, who can play fullback or centerback. The club finished up by drafting Maryland winger Billy Cortes.

SBI had a chance to catch up with Hertzog and Rooney after they were drafted. Our video interviews are after the jump:


[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/18777623 w=440&h=292]

Corey Hertzog Draft from Soccer By Ives on Vimeo.

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/18777294 w=440&h=292]

John Rooney Draft from Soccer By Ives on Vimeo.

Comments

  1. One Rooney will deffently make the team, though I see him coming off the bench. I also see this move so that they can have a nice game against Manchester United that will bring in a lot of money and sell out the stadium. I am really excited to get to a few games this year. Go Red Bulls.

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  2. It’s also like twenty minutes away on the PATH (a 24-hour subway) from downtown. It’s closer to, say, Tribeca than all of Staten Island and much of Queens and even parts of the Bronx or Brooklyn.

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  3. A veteran Center Back would be the last piece to the puzzle…Looks like Backe is going to roll with Miller at Left Back…A transfer could be made in the second window if he doesn’t regain form.

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  4. I really hope he is a success. At 20 he still has more to learn and develop.

    It would be such a stab into the “our yanks have to get over to europe early to a bigger club not MLS”

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  5. Good points.
    I would add that you can’t make such determinations based on one player anyways, otherwise look at how well Holden has done since moving from MLS to EPL… obviously those two leagues are at an equal level!

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  6. I don’t think Rooney’s success or failure in MLS will have any affect on comparisons between MLS and other leagues. How many players with good reputations and good records in other leagues have come over and not met expectations in MLS? Does that mean MLS is better than those other leagues? If not, than why would Rooney doing well in MLS mean that MLS is weaker than the Championship?

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  7. It is a little different than a German-speaking player speaking English because English is Rooney’s native language (no one commented on Huerzeler’s accent in his interview other than to joke that he was easier to understand than Rooney).

    I do agree that if you pay attention you can understand him. However people aren’t used to having to concentrate to understand a native speaker’s English. And especially in the combine video he spoke very quickly and blurred a bunch of words together, to the point that it was very difficult to dechiper, at least for me (and, judging by the comments, a lot of other people).

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  8. A couple weeks back when Finley and Buddle were getting trials, some discussed the ‘setting the value’ of the US INTL striker. I look at Rooney coming over from League 2 as the flip side of this.

    If he catches on and gets good minutes, it makes it harder to claim MLS is equal to the champsionship.. which some people do.

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  9. Which is right outside of NYC, still considered the NY Metro Area regardless of the state.

    Henry lives in Manhattan. I’m sure that Rooney could too if he wanted.

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  10. His BROTHER is well known. Not him. I don’t think that ease in front of a camera transfers through a brotherly bond or anything like that.

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  11. Count me among those who are excited to see if John Rooney can catch on. He seems almost the Anti-Wayne with his humble responses. While his performances have hardly been lighting the world on fire at Macclesfield one imagines that Backe and co. have seen something they like.

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  12. Its actually refreshing to see a young athlete very excited to play. I think a lot of young star athletes get this “everyone owes me” type mentality, and it is great to see a young kid who is genuinely excited/nervous to get started.

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  13. He should be excited:
    He just went from being in League Two Macclesfield Town, playing in a small town in front of a couple thousand, to playing in New York in front of big crowds alongside Thierry freaking Henry.

    As of now entering the MLS draft is looking like a brilliant career decision. And because he’s Wayne Rooney’s brother other young foreign players may take notice and make similar moves in the future.

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  14. While I was joking…I think the Cosmos are as close to a done deal as you can get, especially if Terry Byrne’s group can work with the folks from the Mets. NYC can and will support two teams, especially if the Cosmos secure the right stadium site.

    As for WAYNE Rooney, is there anything about that guy that suggests a long, sustained career at the top level? I’m not suggesting he is not a great player now, but his psyche proved fragile over the last year, he is not a mind boggling athlete (like, say Henry) nor is a technical wizard like Messi. I just think he is the type that has a fairly short peak. I could see MLS on his radar sooner than you might think (say five years) especially if his brother enjoys success here. Of course, just speculating on a hypothesis…

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  15. With Garber showing how on board the MLS is for another NY team when he talked to those fans in Florida recently, I would bet good money on that “pipe dream” being the next MLS expansion team.
    Now them signing Rooney, thats a pipe dream.

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  16. I think he should be able to deal.. His brother doesn’t play in the city of Manchester either…it’s in Greater Manchester.

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  17. And the Gals play in Carson, not LA. And RSL plays in Sandy, not SLC. And the Failadelphia Bimbos play in Chester, not in Philly. And DC Scum play in Baltimore, not DC… Oh, sorry. That’s next season.

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  18. I don’t get why everyone slags on his accent. It’s no different then a spanish or german only speaker playing on any english speaking team.

    Beyond that, I don’t have a problem understanding him so people not taking the time to actually listen baffles me.

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  19. Pretty psyched to see what Hertzog can do, all he wants to do is score goals. He doesn’t care about anything else. Nice to hear from an American forward.

    Although I hate the Red Bulls, I can’t help but root for John Rooney. He seems very genuine. I won’t get used to hearing the TV commentators say “Rooney” and can’t get enough of his scouse accent. His brother isn’t the best in front of camera either.

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  20. It sounds like John Rooney can play, but part of me wonders if NY took him because they are hoping that they might be able to convince Wayne to join him in NY down the line.

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  21. What’s the chance Herzog gets shipped to Philly for (fill in the blank). He’s more likely to be traded than Rooney. After all, Herzog can actually be understood when he speaks.

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  22. Rooney

    It’s unbelievable. I was shocked that I was…I can’t believe that they’ve picked me and I was just want to give them me all and try and show that coach that he made the right decision to pick me. I’m very looking forward to getting started now, I can’t wait.

    I had no idea, no idead til they shouted my name out, I’m pleased that they picked me and I couldn’t believe it

    I’ve never been to NY and am looking forward to going. I can’t wait to get going, training and playing

    It’s been an unbelievable experience. I’m not used to anything like this, this is the first time i’ve witnessed anything like this. It’s been unbelievable and a great experience for me. I’m so proud

    NY fans, they’ve been great, they’ve been singing. It’s been great, a great experience seeing all the fans singing. That’s always great

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  23. The draft and Rodgers/Solli signings this week give the Red Bulls one of the deepest squads in MLS now that the rosters are expanding to 30 players. Still wouldn’t mind added depth at center back though.

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  24. I’m hoping that he can become an impact player for RBNY kinda feel bad that hes gotta deal with everyone expecting him to be his brother and he seems genuinely excited about being drafted by NY, Kudos to him

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  25. Rooney genuinely seemed touched New York wanted him. Also seemed much more nervous to be in front of a camera than I would expect since his brother is so well know. Hasn’t he been a proffesional for awhile now as well?

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  26. I’m psyched by these two Red Bulls picks. Hertzog’s speedy play reminds me a little of Dane Richards (though he sort of looks like Steve O. from Jacka*s.)

    And I’m starting to figure out John Rooney’s Scouse accent. He seems genuinely excited to be coming to New York. Looking forward to seeing both of them play. LGRB!

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