Photo by ISIphotos.com
The New York Red Bulls have completed the acquisition of Crystal Palace Baltimore midfielder/forward Matthew Mbuta, sources with knowledge of the deal confirmed late on Monday.
MLS gave final approval of the acquisition Friday evening, a deal that include a small fee paid to Crystal Palace, which held Mbuta’s rights. Mbuta has been training with the Red Bulls for two weeks and is expected to be available for the team’s Thursday night game at Columbus.
Mbuta became the third of three players acquired by the Red Bulls on Monday. The Red Bulls also added Atlanta Silverbacks striker Macoumba Kandji and Charlotte Eagles goalkeeper Terry Boss. The Red Bulls released Chris Megaloudis to make room for Mbuta on the roster.
Mbuta was one of Crystal Palace Baltimore’s standout players in the team’s 2-0 U.S. Open Cup victory against the Red Bulls on July 1. A speedy winger who can also play as a second forward, Mbuta is a 22-year-old Cameroonian speedster who would give the team some sorely-needed depth and athleticism on the right flank, where the club has needed a back-up to Jamaican winger Dane Richards.
What I can say about Mbuta having seen him against the Red Bulls in the U.S. Open Cup is that he is a speedy and shifty player who, much like Richards, can stretch a defense with his pace. With Richards a possibility to be called in to the Jamaican national team set-up next month, Mbuta could get the call to start, or at least see some minutes, down the stretch.
What do you think of acquisition of Mbuta? Share your thoughts below.
Everyone who has seen Palace Baltimore has told me this kid has got freaky talent. I hope so for Osorio since it seems JC has the golden touch with player moves since coming back to MLS last year!
I’m so psyched we got Mbuta. He’s looked good in the Reserve matches, and torched us in the Open Cup. Both Kandji and Mbuta are great acquisitions – the USL has talent – talent we need at NYRB … although, do we really need another goalie? Hats off to Osorio and Agoos for building a team of promise. Here’s hoping things gel in time to stay competitive for the playoffs.
yankiboy,
Thanks for your take on Mbuta. I look forward to seeing all these guys…
Matthew Mbuta is another great guy and good player. Talk about a sort of fairytale ending (or should I say beginning): Dude freaking torched reserve side during Crystal Palace Baltimore’s historic win over them in USOC play.
Matthew gave the bench riders freaking fits. He put on a show that night in Annapolis. Now he actully got signed from USL2 Palace to the team that he helped embarrass. You gotta love that.
He created some chances during the RBNY-DCU Reserve match down here a few weeks ago.
He is fast, great work ethic. His finishing is usually more “on” way more than it is “off”. He was clearly the creme of the USL2 crop.
Now dude is getting his shot. He looked great for Palace in the seasons that we had him. He always entertained the supporters and was always very gracious and really, really friendly. We miss him and will wish him the best.
Cindy, doubt an MLS team can pick him up this year. The rosters had to be frozen by today. There’s always next year tho.
I also wonder why we are keeping four keepers. And yet even with all those keepers, we still are building a bit of depth. I could get used to this . . .
poor Mega… i had such love for my SBU boy… i hope someone else picks him up
Ives, you mean late Monday, not Friday, right?
Crazy day for Metro. I wonder why they are keeping 4 GK’s.
good to see that the red bulls are actually completing transfers
Awesome. Megaloudis was waived to make room. Let’s see what the “new” Red Bulls can do, understanding that they’ll need some time to gel and get in-synch with each other.