New York Red Bulls fans haven't had much to cheer about during the team's horrendous 2009 season, but they are about to finally get at least some good news.
Argentine midfielder Juan Pietravallo has left the team and has parted ways with the Red Bulls after reaching an agreement to terminate the remainder of his guaranteed $205,000 contract, sources told SBI on Friday. The agreement frees up a roster spot for the Red Bulls and puts an end to one of the more disappointing signings in club history.
The move is the first of what should be several for a club in desperate need of a roster shake-up.
Pietravallo was signed a year ago and was expected to give the team a tough and skillful defensive midfielder, but the veteran never adapted to the style of play in MLS and often found himself issued cards and whistled for fouls repeatedly. After a somewhat promising start, including his role in a rare Red Bulls win vs. D.C. United last summer, Pietravallo eventually found a permanent spot on the bench. Last offseason the team attempted to unload the 27-year-old midfielder but could not reach a deal with Pietravallo, who would have been waived in the pre-season if not for his guaranteed contract.
Things didn't change much this year as Pietravallo has been limited to two starts and just three appearances for the worst team in MLS.
Pietravallo's departure frees up a roster spot the club is expected to use to add highly-regarded Dutch Austrian midfielder Ernst Obster. Obster cannot join the Red Bulls until July 15th.
The club is also still interested in signing Bouna Coundoul, but must first reach an agreement with the Colorado Rapids, which hold his rights. Coundoul's potential signing would likely mean the end of Jon Conway's time with the club. The Red Bulls are also believed to be in the market for a cental defender and defensive midfielder, with Khano Smith another player expected to be shown the door before the July 1 date when all MLS contracts become guaranteed.
One player who isn't coming is Colombian Breinner Bonilla, who was linked to the club by an internet report. Sources tell SBI that the club has no intentions of signing Bonilla.
The Red Bulls are essentially out of the playoff race, but are still looking for ways to bolster the roster ahead of the CONCACAF Champions League series vs. Trinidadian squad W Connection. The Red Bulls have a month prepare for that home-and-home series,with a victory in the series securing a place in the group stages.
What do you think of the Red Bulls finally dumping Pietravallo? Relieved? Excited that some help may be on the way? Have you already decided to stop following the team until 2010?
Share your thoughts below.
I agree, pathetic that they continue to search for guys to hold the ball, when it’s clear that they need to move that freakin thing towards the goal, and then put it in net. AM i wrong??? We already got Stammler and SInisa and Sassano. ISn’t that enough guys to hang out in the midfield with the ball and go nowhere with it? No point in kicking RIchards Khano and Boyens, they just plain suck. Why are they still even on the roster? And why is any foreign player guaranteed anything? Christ this isn’t baseball!
Why are we spending money on international failures? Why not use local talent that know the US game that are playing well and cost a fraction of the price. If they do not work out we lose a lot less and at least allows more homegrown players a chance? Has anyone heard of most of the “international” players that have come to play for RBNY or Metro and had to learn how we play. Wasted time, wasted money. What does RBNY have to lost at this point? You want players who will prove themselves, get players that something real to lose.
I am disturbed at learning that the team is looking for yet another defensive mid—what this team needs is a central attacking mid!! Isn’t it obvious to Osorio and Agoos that this team has absolutely no ball distribution and poor attacking creativity? There is absolutely no offensive vision on the field…. We have the lowest goals scored total in the league in part because no one is able to feed our strikers correctly.
OH NO…….WE WILL MISS THE ARGENTINIAN STAR AND THE RED CARDS HE WAS GETTING WHEN PLAY….BAD PART IS THAT OUR HARD-HEAD COACH OF THE YEAR 2008-2009 AND MAYBE 2010…..JC OSORIO LOSS A GOOD FRIEND……MY CONDOLENCES TO HIM.
THE QUESTION IS WHEN EL PROFE JC FOLLOW PIETRAVALLO??
Wow, you know its sad when your best news is the release of a player. It seems like most NY fans are more happy to see Pietravallo released rather than the possible signings of Obster and Coundoul. As a DC fan I love the misery. 😀