One of the stories lost in the midst of the New York Red Bulls improbable MLS Cup run is the circumstances surrounding Mac Kandji's future. As you learned earlier in the week, the Atlanta Silverbacks will not operate a team in 2009, a development that left Kandji's future up in the air since Atlanta still held Kandji's rights during his loan to the Red Bulls.
In a rather shrewd bit of business, Atlanta Silverbacks owner Boris Jerkunica has orchestrated the transfer of Kandji's rights from Atlanta to the USL Carolina Railhawks, which he also has an ownership stake in. The move means that if the Red Bulls exercise the option to buy Kandji's rights, the Railhawks would be paid. If the move had not been made, Kandji could have been in a position to become a free agent.
It remains to be seen whether the Red Bulls will actually exercise that option. Kanjdi has shown some good glimpses in limited playing time since joining the Red Bulls, but hasn't established himself as a starter and the club may decide that the price tag to buy him (believed to be about $150,000 spread out over two years) is too much.
What do you think of this news? Think the Red Bulls should keep Kandji? Still surprised that the Silverbacks are closing up shop?
Share your thoughts below.