Top Stories

Angulo, Arteaga among four trialists signed by Red Bulls

New York Red Bulls Logo

By DAVE MARTINEZ

The New York Red Bulls put the finishing touches on their roster ahead of this Sunday’s season opener against FC Dallas, adding four trialists to the first team.

Jose Angulo, Jhonny Arteaga, Brandon Barklage and Tyler Ruthven were all signed to MLS contracts after impressing the team during pre-season.

After a long journey, Clifton, N.J., native Angulo has returned home to join the Red Bulls. For many local soccer fans, Angulo’s name may be a familiar one; the Colombian native was a highly-touted prospect with St. Benedict's Prep School and a former All-American. 

Angulo decided to forgo college to pursue his chances as a professional footballer domestically and overseas. After failing to land a contract in Europe, and after a brief stint with the New England Revolution, the 24-year-old striker toiled in the Premier Development League before finding a home with the Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL Pro League. There, he was able to regain his form, featuring in 26 matches while putting away nine goals.

Joining Angulo is fellow Colombian forward Arteaga. The 2011 USL Pro goal scoring leader was a lone bright spot during a difficult inaugural season for FC New York (now of the NPSL). Starting the season on the bench for the team, Arteaga fought his way on to the first team squad, making 21 appearances for the club, and scoring a massive 13 goals (16 in all competitions). Arteaga featured for FCNY last season during the US Open Cup when the team faced the Red Bulls in Harrison.

Rounding up the signed trialists are Barklage and Ruthven. Barklage, 25, was the 36th overall draft pick for D.C. United in 2009. Prior to that, he played for the Chicago Fire PDL side during his college years. The oft-injured midfielder made all of four late-game appearances for DC United last season before being cut by the team. 

Ruthven, 23, is a defender who most recently featured with the Atlanta Silverbacks of the NASL. The young American centerback was a regular starter for the bottom dwelling Atlanta side throughout a painful season that saw the team compile a 4-20-4 record.

With these signings, New York now fields 24 out of a possible 30 available slots for the coming year.

Comments

  1. Don’t know what planet you are on. Backe is the most underachieving coach in the league, perhaps in its history. Over $12m salary compared to $3m for almost every other team…and the player and coaching decisions decimated a team that was very strong going into the 2011 season. Locker room and training sessions are a disaster. DeRo is laughing. No goalie coach, or goalie for that matter. As for the DPs….the Union as a start-up with 1/4 of the Red Bull’s budget were as or more competitive than the RB, with no high paid DPs.

    Reply
  2. Like i said when other teams produce talent like NY then complain. I think there are more than 3 teams in MLS. Plus im counting by your numbers 5 for NY and 4 for the others.

    People need yo get off NY’s back and start complaining about teams that produce less. I understand its in to hate on RBNY, but this is a foolish attempt by others to bash them.

    Reply
  3. If we are talking about your academy then NY has only produced Agudelo but if you want to include Altidore, Bradley, Howard and Ream as players NY has produced then Chicago (Beasley, Bocanegra, Johnson, Rolfe) and Dallas (Shea, John, Loyd, Goodson) are on NY’s level

    Reply
  4. As long as Backe is comfortable with these guys and is willing to play them if needed, I’m happy. Maybe we’ll see some subs this year…

    Reply
  5. They were 10th in the league last year despite having Thierry Henry and the 2nd highest payroll. I don’t see how you call that success.

    They also played a boring style and had public feuds between players. They also have one of the most unlikable players in the league in Marquez who they refuse to unload. They are a very, very difficult team for their fans to like.

    Reply
  6. hahah what? The same ODP system that performs well abroad almost every time. The same ODP system that beat the USWNT 5-0. Say what you want about the lack of scouting for the teams but to question the talent is a complete joke.

    Reply
  7. He finished first in the East 2 years ago and got to the semifinals of the playoffs last year. How is that failing miserably? Also besides LA, teams in MLS that have DP’s haven’t done well.

    Reply
  8. I like the Arteaga and Barklage signings even though I support DCU. Both are players who try to create something from nothing rather white bread robot players from the ODP system pervasive throughout college soccer.

    Too bad DCU were impatient to let Barklage go despite his injury proneness. He is a skilled player with quality if you’ve seen him play.

    Reply
  9. I would love to get excited over new guys, but I’ve lost all faith in NYRB talent evaluation and management. It seems we are doomed to have a team of high priced aging vets and dirt cheap trialists. I hope they uncovered some talent here, but Soler and Backe’s recent decision making leaves little room for optimism.

    Reply
  10. Hopefully it will make some people happy who believe Backe’s MAIN job is developing American talent instead of establishing a winning team.

    Reply

Leave a Comment