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Red Bulls’ Cahill and Carney called into Australia squad

TimCahillDavidCarneyAustralia1 (Getty)

By DAN KARELL

Two New York Red Bulls players are heading to Europe for international friendlies next month.

Football Australia announced on Monday night that Red Bulls midfielder Tim Cahill and defender David Carney are included in the Australia squad for friendly matches next month against France (October 11) and Canada (October 15).

The only two Australians in Major League Soccer will jet off from New York to Paris after the Red Bulls’ match on October 5 against the New England Revolution, and luckily for Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke, the team is off on the weekend of October 12/13, meaning that the duo from down under won’t miss any matches barring an injury.

Cahill (64 caps, 28 goals) makes his return to the squad after missing the last two Australia teams due to injury, and Carney (48 caps, six goals) returns to the international side for the first time in more than a year after failing to find a club to play at during the same time span. Carney recently played his fourth match for the Red Bulls, going the full 90 on each occasion as he slowly shakes off the rust from having been away from regular soccer for such a long span.

Australia qualified for the World Cup on June 18, with a 1-0 victory over Iraq at home. Like the U.S. Men’s National Team, head coach Holger Osiek is using what few international dates he has at his disposal to the fullest, calling in a strong squad for the two friendly matches.

The match against France is due to take place at the Parc des Princes, the Paris Saint-Germain ground, while the match four days later against Canada will take place at Craven Cottage in south London.

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What do you think of this news? Do you see them playing in both friendly matches? Surprised that Socceroos coach Holger Osiek called them in during the Red Bulls final stretch of the regular season?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I think it’s safe to say Carney has locked down the starting left back spot for New York. He has been fantastic and his set piece ability makes him very useful. Roy Miller, your services will no longer be needed that this club. Good riddance.

    Reply
    • Right before his third Wold Cup for his Country? Sorry but Cahill’s move to MLS and dedication to this club more than makes up for his occasional flight to play for his country. If Landon Donovan went to play in a lesser league, would he retire from the U.S. International team to focus on club?

      Reply
  2. positive step for MLS; two player called into a national team camp (for a quality nation that is going to the WC) and the MLS schedule was not a problem..

    personally i think they should not schedule league games and schedule USOC games during the international windows..

    Reply
  3. The positive development I see is that regular callups are extending beyond players from the Americas. Historically CONCACAF teams have drawn upon MLS but it is a sign of growth that teams from other regions, including UEFA in other instances, are trusting in our quality and not treating signing here as wilderness years or international retirement.

    Reply
  4. I think they may turn down the call. The games are just friendlies and October is a CRITICAL period for the Red Bulls if they are hoping to get the Supporters Shield. Just not worth risking an injury or fatigue for international games that don’t matter. Australia has already qualified for the 2014 WC. They can’t be stopped from going, but I would be surprised if they would given how important that stretch is for the Red Bulls — for that month, I would think their league games would take priority over national team international friendlies.

    Reply
      • You’re right – I was getting mixed up on the dates. They could easily play on the 5th and be back by the 20th. Although Cahill could sure use a rest to speed his recovery from that injury . . .

    • Cahill *just* back from injury. If he is “reevaluated” he can be refused permission for medical reasons. Of course that is slightly dirty pool, though not unheard of AT ALL.

      Reply

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