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Red Bulls sign Zach Thornton

The New York Red Bulls have signed former Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids and MetroStars goalkeeper Zach Thornton, the team announced on Thursday.

Thornton, 34, is set to begin his second stint with the club he began his MLS career with in 1996 as Tony Meola’s back-up on the MetroStars. Thornton joined the Chicago Fire in 1998 and earned MLS goalkeeper of the year that season as he helped the Chicago Fire win the MLS Cup title.

Thornton is expected to serve as the back-up to recently-signed veteran Jon Conway. Thornton played one game for the Colorado Rapids last season before being waived.

What do you think about this move? Are you happy with the club essentially handing the starting job to Conway? Do you think Thornton has something left? Do you think this hurts the team’s chances of adding Amado Guevara (kidding).

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I presume Zach Thorton has nothing left in the tank since the Rapids waived him.

    But since the Red Bulls give up nothing in this deal, they have nothing to lose. At worse, he doesn’t make the squad. At best, he pushes Conway for the starting spot and makes Conway a better keeper.

    Good move until the three goalkeeper spots on the roster are finalized!

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  2. This is good news!

    With Jon Conway as their starter and Zach Thornton as their backup, it can mean only one thing. The NYRB plan on being so good their goalkeeping won’t even matter!

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  3. I’m fine with Metro giving the job to Conway. I don’t think Thornton has anything left – he’s been pretty bad for a few years now – but I’m fine with him as a veteran backup keeper as long as we paid him $55k or less. I believe he earned $57k last year and clearly he didn’t do anything to earn a raise and he is a year older.

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  4. “New coaching staff…same boneheaded moves. The Metrostars will never die!!!”

    inked AG is right. The Red Bulls should have held out for one of the really top drawer unattached goalkeepers who wants to be an MLS backup for 50 grand.

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  5. Yeah, saw that Fulham signed Marlon King for 10 Mil, can’t imagine they will buy EJ now unless they already have purchasers for Healy and Kamara. I think they would use McBride as a target and have either EJ or King running off of him.

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  6. The team needs at least one veteran back-up on the team, even if they draft a college goalie.

    Cheap free agent keepers are pretty few and far between. With his experience, I’d feel comfortable if Thornton has to step in and play a few games.

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  7. don’t underestimate the importance of a keeper’s leadership and organizing things in the back. If he’s signed for 60k then that’s great

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  8. As far as the salary goes, this guy made a little under 60,000 last year. Must be nice being a back up, and the one game that he played, colorado lost.

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  9. Until there is a better keeper signed Conway SHOULD be handed the starting job.

    Thornton should be a decent backup. A pretty decent move, nothing earthshattering.

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  10. There’s no reason Thornton can’t be a quality veteran backup…other than his weight.

    I can only assume they signed him for a bargain wage.

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  11. Zach really was a tremendous keeper….10 years ago. Not sure about why you’d just hand the gig over to Conway though. It just seems like there should be better options out there.

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  12. This is a joke, right? How much does Thornton way these days? 300, 400 pounds. Here’s hoping Conway goes out right before RBNY plays DC United.

    Javier,
    You better hope you all didn’t give anything up for this dude…

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  13. Please tell us he signed for very, very litte.

    So far, filling the goalkeeping position seems… uninspired.

    Here’s hoping they’re better with a creative mid and a central/wing defender.

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