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New York Red Bulls forward Juan Agudelo has been traded to Chivas USA for defender Heath Pearce, allocation money, and other considerations, Fox Soccer reported on Thursday.
The Red Bulls will receive what sources told Fox Soccer is a "significant amount of allocation money" as well as having Chivas USA pay a portion of Pearce's salary. The Red Bulls also secured a portion of any future transfer fee Chivas USA would generate from a future sale of Agudelo.
Agudelo became expendable after the emergence of Kenny Cooper as a viable forward alongside Thierry Henry, and trading him has bolstered the Red Bulls defense with the addition of one of the best fullbacks in MLS. Pearce should slide into the starting lineup at left back, where he should replace the inconsistent and injury prone Roy Miller.
The Red Bulls have also secured a big chunk of money to help the team go after more players this summer. The team still has an available Designated Player slot.
The trade is a big boost for Chivas USA, which adds a marketable young star and a forward who could help boost a struggling offense. The deal also reunites Agudelo with former Red Bulls teammate and mentor Juan Pablo Angel.
Agudelo and Pearce won't have to wait long to see their former clubs. The Red Bulls and Chivas USA play at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday.
What do you think of this deal? Happy with what the Red Bulls received for Agudelo? Think the Red Bulls are crazy for trading away a young star?
Share your thoughts below.
How is Cooper Old? He is 27 in his prime and right now is scoring goals at a rate of 1 for every 80 minutes played. Yes it would be nice to see Agudelo develope and become NYRB star but this is not a bad move since they still collect some if he gets sold to Europe and the get help on defense.
Nobody is snapping up Juan for a big fee with Jozy’s track record. They are similar and European clubs will notice how well Jozy worked out for Villarreal. Juan is going to have to really blow up for a big fee. When is his contract up?
(a) I think he could be potentially useful in wing midfield, so saying he wasn’t beating out Cooper and Henry is thus neither here nor there, unless one insists on him as a forward;
(b) It’s a risky strategy to favor a 34 y/o dude with recent injury history, to the point of shipping off the protege;
(c) He’s 19 and managed 6 goals despite significant disuse last year. 19!
I think the move says more about Backe and Chivas’ desire to tinker than about Agudelo, who looked good with the U23s before hurting himself.
We’ll see how it works out. Backe obviously thinks he has a winner that just needs a little more offense, and this is a win-now move.
As any season ticket holder in ANY sport can tell you, if you watch the guys enough, especially when they’re not playing, you’ll eventually pick out who’s dogging it. Agudelo flat out dogs it at times. I’ve heard coaches yell at him for it before. They’re not doing it for their health.
But I still said he’s got a ton of talent. Great instincts. THAT’S why Klinsmann brings him in, as he should. And I’m sure when the spotlight’s on, like it always is for the Nats, he gives 100% all the time. But the only way he gets better is if he does that ALL the time, for club AND country.
Actually, the real question is when you have Agudelo and Henry (and are still trying to sign Rogers in the off-season), why do you trade for Cooper instead of doing something like, uh, using that money to get a left back and a central defender.
Uh, everyone replying.
But he also hasn’t called in Cooper, has he?
I understand the rationale for the trade. I just don’t think Backe is a particularly good manager, particularly when it comes to how he uses players, and the organization has proved that it doesn’t consider depth important. I’m also not a big Pearce fan and would have rather RBNY try to get a centerback, preferably a young one. But I suppose the likelihood Agudelo will be in Europe this summer makes my bitching about the trade irrelevant.
Agudelo has been overated ever since he put on a pair of cleats, good move!
As an NYRB fan this move makes sense, but watch Agudelo become the league’s leading goal scorer, a MVP contender, lead his new team into the playoffs, all while the NYRB scrap their way into the playoffs…wait NOOOOOO not again! Please not again!!!
Good deal on both sides, but I honestly couldn’t care less about either team so hopefully it’s good for Agudelo’s development. That’s all neutrals really care about in this trade I’d assume.
Neither does Backe half the time.
I didn’t know Chivas fans had internet.
This will come back to bite them just like the DERO trade, haha
While Agudelo is a rising star, this is good for RBNY. They have plugged a hole on defense with a proven MLS starter and national-teamer, and gotten some allocation money besides. As soon as Agudelo gets really good, he’ll be gone to Europe anyway. And when that happens, RBNY will still have Pearce, plus a portion of the Agudelo transfer fee.
Klinsmann doesn’t have Henry.
I think metro NYC people fall in one of 2 camps on this issue:
1) USMNT fan, love Agudelo and think Backe is a jerk for never playing him.
2) Red Bull fan and love the fact that Backe is getting players they actually need for Juan.
I’m in camp #2 and think Juan needed to go to a lesser quality team where he can get minutes.
Quality move there Eugene. Any RB fan will initially be saddened by losing Juan but the more you think about it the more it looks like a good move for RB. Only time will tell.
Win win I think. And good for agudelo, too as he’ll play. I’m a metro fan, I’ll miss him, I’ll root for him, and Ill be pissed when he shines for other teams. But he wasn’t doing too much for us, and I’m convinced the second he starts scoring on anything like a consistent basis he’ll be snapped up by a European team. Agudelo has impressive technical and athletic tools, but Cooper and Rodgers have both shined playing next to Henry, while agudelo has drifted in and out (but mostly out) of the games he’s started. And he had more starts than people seem to realize last year. I believe he’ll develop into a big time striker, but he’s not there yet. For a team that wants to compete now and needs help on defense, this move makes sense. All the best Juan! Give JPA our love and get ready for 2014.
So … speculation based on watching player warmups before matches.
Interesting that Klinsmann sees enough in Juan to bring him in and give him minutes but Backe doesn’t. I know whose opinion I trust more and it ain’t the chubby Swede.
they are setting up a massive DP signing this summer. plus agudelo needs to play and he wasn’t getting time there, too bad he has to go to the shittiest team in the world tho…
Del Piero to NY Red Bulls. You read it here first. If it doesnt happen it doesnt matter.
I nominate you for the official SBI Comment of the Day award
I think RBNY fans who are hating this trade are not thinking very clearly. Juan Agudelo is a great young talent, but after this trade your team now has:
1. a huge upgrade at LB
2. more flexibility in the back 4
3. allocation money to bring in more talent
4. potential for more money if Chivas sells Agudelo
5. and still the TOP TWO SCORERS IN MLS
This was a no brainer, and Chivas gave a way too much for a young, talented forward that nevertheless has yet to prove he can score with regularity. RBNY hasn’t gotten a lot right, but they did this time.
And if you’re a USMNT fan, Agudelo is now in a place where he actually has a chance to develop.
I like this deal.
innnnnnnteresting. too bad he keeps playing for teams i hate.
I didn’t know Chivas fans could read.
+1
Chivas reporting the Califf trade has been finalized too.
http://www.cdchivasusa.com/news/2012/05/chivas-usa-acquires-philadelphia-union-defender-danny-califf
Hans Backe likes to play a possession game. Juan Agudelo maybe a good finisher but his touch and passing isn’t very good, therefore, he doesnt fit Backe’s system. The trade will give Agudelo much needed playing time and an opportunity to develop. It will also give Red Bulls more depth on defense especially which they need with Conde being injury prone. I would prefer Lindpere be moved to the middle and Miller play Left Mid.
As a RB fan, I’m very sorry to see Juan go but happy for him. Hopefully now he can get some playing time and develop into the player he is projected to be. At 19, he is still exceedingly young. His skill and raw athleticism is abundantly clear, but he needs minutes so he can learn how to play the game. I’m disappointed the Red Bulls couldn’t find a way to develop him. Last year, those 88th minute substitutions didn’t quite give him the experience he needed. On the upside, Pearce is a nice addition.
Wonder what this means for the supposed Califf-to-Chivas deal? No deal, I guess.
We get good player , 250k allocation and 75% of future transfer few … That is a good trade. Juan will be gone this summer anyway .
Good deal for the Red Bulls. *IF* Agudelo develops he’d quickly go to Europe (ala Jozy) anyway.
Listen, I would LOVE to see Agudelo develop into an excellent player. But I watched him for two years… and he’s got lousy training habits. Obviously I don’t get to see him in closed door practices. But my tickets are right where the subs warm up, and Agudelo always coasted while warming up. He was always lackadaisical in pregame warm ups and in open practices, too. I’m firmly convinced the reason Rodgers started over him was that he out WORKED Agudelo. That has to change, and maybe this will be the catalyst that starts it. Great talent, needs more dedication.
Cooper and henry are old, At most 3 more years??? If RBNY had a future outside of DPs it was Agudelo growing getting better. Even this year if they say as promised to take the US Open Cup more seriously perfect spot for Agudelo.
Im not saying hed be anything more than an MLS striker. But come on the hint of a 19~20 year old pacey striker gotta be worth something in Sweden/2 Bundesliga/League Une/Championship.
RBNY never really was interested in trasfer dollars though the owners plenty rich as is. A DP every 2 years is an actual viable strategy for them.
Henry is currently injured and will be out for several weeks. He is also very versatile and can play numerous positions in many systems as he did with Arsenal, Barcelona and French national team. Some coaches try to peg players into their system and are unwilling to experiment, others tweak their system to maximize the talents of their players. Backe is the former. As for the statistical results we don’t know how Agudelo would have performed if given an opportunity. Last year, NYRB traded DeRo to DCU because DeRo did not fit their system and DeRo earned the league’s MVP with the DCU. I agree with you that it is not NYRB’s job to develop USMNT players, but it is their job to develop their own young players if they want to be successful and win their first MLS cup.
WHAT THE WHAAAHUH?
Damn you, Chivas.
he’ll be thrilled playing for the galaxy (where he’ll eventually go as chivas usa owe the gals big time). if not, he might benefit from being w/two other colombian forwards
HAHHAHAHHA- What happens if both Cooper and Henry get hit with Injuries this season. Who exactly is going to come in and score goals? Not unless they intend to go out and buy a few good strikers now in the summer transfer window.
Good move for Agudelo!
This gives me reason to pay more attention to Chivas which is exactly what Chivas was hoping to do in this trade. I gaurantee their attendance numbers will increase now.
I was thinking the same thing. Pearce who is good (top 5-10 defender in MLS but isn’t young), money and a guarantee of more money if Agudelo gets a chance for a European club. I can’t help but think that’s too much for Chivas to give away.
+1
Wish it was to the San Diego Soccers, or the San Diego Aztecs, or the San Diego Whale’s Vag-nas.
Who is hating?
If the Cosmos can work a stadium deal on NY state soil it’s easy to see them winning an MLS Cup (or any other trophies besides Arsenals pre-season tourney) before NYRB.
Nice trade for both teams, although it sounds like Chivas may have given away a bit too much.
And he’s won what exactly? Considering the players he’s brought in, I’d say he has underachieved. Also, comparing his record to previous Metro/RB managers isn’t exactly the toughest comp is it?
Let’s see if NY will still have 2 of the top 3 scorers by the end of the season. Even if one were to accept your assumption that Cooper is a superior player (which is highly debatable particularly based on the national team call ups for him and Agudelo in the last couple of years), you can never have too many quality forwards. Barcelona lost to injuries at various points of the season David Villa, Pedro, Afflay and Alexis Sanchez. By the way, Henry is out for several weeks due to an injury and he will be 35 this summer. What if one of the top two NYRB strikers gets a season ending injury?
I was thinking the same thing…move over ELAC…
well played MPF
What the F..k???
I’m no Red Bull fan but this is pissing me off.
Hell at least he’ll get playing time but this is mind boggling stupid like a TFC move or something.
Course the Fire fan in me likes this deal. Lemme see, sign Conde, keep Marquez and get rid of a young player with talent who will only get better when you actually play him. Yep, I’m following the logic RedBulls, following it bigtime.
Good luck to Juan. It was a pleasure seeing him play live many times. And thank you, Red Bull organization, for confirming yet again why I didn’t renew my season tickets.
Actually, I take that back, this isn’t a bad deal after all. They get a % of whatever he’s sold for eventually, and they get a good player in Pearce and a bundle of cash now. If this helps the team win MLS Cup this year, this will be seen as a very clever trade.