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Red Bulls add Australian left back/left winger Carney

DavidCarneyAustralia1 (AP)

By DAN KARELL

Just hours before the end of the Major League Soccer summer transfer window, the New York Red Bulls added some much needed depth to their squad.

On Thursday, the Red Bulls announced the signing of Australian international David Carney subject to the passing of a physical, receipt of his P-1 Visa, and his International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Carney, a left-sided player by trade, can play anywhere from left back to left midfielder, and will help the Red Bulls overcome the season-long loss of Heath Pearce to a hip injury and subsequent surgery. From February-September 2012, Carney played his club soccer for Bunyodkor in Uzbekistan, although he has been without a club since then.

He most recently trialed with Blackpool in England, though he pulled out after making just one appearance as a substitute in a friendly match due to a reported fear of suffering an injury.

The 29-year-old has featured extensively in the past for the Australian National Team, earning 46 caps and scoring six goals since his international debut in 2006. Carney represented the Socceroos in the 2007 and 2011 Asian Cups, as well as the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

After coming through the youth ranks with Everton alongside Wayne Rooney, Carney wasn’t offered a contract, and ended up returning home to his native Sydney, Australia, where he signed terms with Sydney FC after short stints at Oldham Athletic and Hamilton Academical.

In 2007, Carney moved back to England, joining Sheffield United, though his time there didn’t work out so well, which included a season-long loan to Norwich City. From there he moved to FC Twente in the Eredivisie, Blackpool in their only season in the English Premier League, Alcorcon in Spain’s second division, and then Budyonkor.

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What do you think of this news? Do you see Carney making a big impact this season? Do you see him gelling with his former international teammate?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I have seen this guy play for years as I live in Australia now. When he is on he is a calming, smart player with a great touch and can defend and finish. But I was surprised to see him pop up in MLS. He may just come good – will have to give him time as MLS is fast pace compared to A-League and other places he has played. I doubt NY spent much on him – god I hope not!

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  2. He adds depth to the bench. That’s probably why he was signed. Red Bulls are looking at the next two months and what they need to make a push. It’s not going to be easy with loaded rosters in Seattle, Portland, Salt Lake, LA and KC. Doubt he starts right away but Petke may use him if they go deeper into the playoff season. I’m sure he’s on the squad just for this season and then he’ll be gone.

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  3. “can play anywhere from left back to left midfielder” … so he can play all those positions in between left back and left mid? Sweet, just what we needed!

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      • I think like: “Uzbekistan” and “been without a club since then” and “reported fear of suffering an injury” and “Blackpool in their only season in the English Premier League, Alcorcon in Spain’s second division, and then Budyonkor” … to RBNY?!

        I mean, he could be fine, but he doesn’t exactly scream pedigree.

      • Yeah, just looking at his club career on Wikipedia makes for some pretty unimpressive reading. No more than a handful of appearances anywhere in the last five or so years. Yet somehow he kept getting into the Australia team. Guess we’ll have to wait and see how he does.

        Miller and Steele have been playing fairly well recently so may not be too much need for a left-sided player unless there’s an injury, especially since RBNY only play once a week the rest of the season.

        Overall, pretty underwhelming end to the transfer window.

      • Looking at Joel Lindpere’s resume pre-Red Bulls hardly inspired “oohs” and “ahs” either, but he was fantastic for the team.

        Here’s to hoping…

      • My thoughts, too. Then there is the fact that he never lasts long anywhere. 1 year seems to be his limit. Does he wear out his welcome, alienate people, or turn out to be not as good as expected? Whatever, it doesn’t exactly bode well.

  4. The LA Galaxy wins championship because they manage to fill out thier rosters with guys just like this. The problem for the Red Bulls has been the chasm between the top of the talent pool and the bottom. This is a smart MLS signing

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  5. Sounds like a decent depth guy and he can be a drinking buddy for Cahill the same way Peggy can tip with Thierry. I’d imagine those two groups wouldn’t go to the same bars, huh?

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    • Haha, so thats the logic on how to build a club in NJ? It all makes sense now…

      Could be a decent signing…still think Nyrb are on the cusp of greatness, hopefully they keep improving.

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