Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com
The New York Red Bulls have had an awfully quiet offseason, which has been used more to deflect rumors and links to star players as opposed to making improvements to a team that vastly underachieved by its own expectations in 2011.
That trend could be halted with word out of Sweden that the club is on the verge of signing centerback Markus Holgersson. A 6-foot-3, 26-year-old Swedish international, Holgersson has played his entire club career in his native country, first for Angelholms FF before moving to Helsingborgs IF in 2009.
The move would address an area of need, as the Red Bulls only have three experienced centerbacks currently on their roster — Tim Ream, Stephen Keel and Rafa Marquez. With Marquez slated for a midfield role, and Carlos Mendes now with Columbus after the re-entry draft, the club needs to add depth at the position.
Should Ream move to Bolton during the European winter transfer window — something general manger Erik Soler has said will not happen despite persistent reports from England — Holgersson would provide cover for his departure.
What do you think of the potential signing? What do you make of the Red Bulls' offseason so far? What else do you think the team needs to do to improve on its 2011 finish?
Share your thoughts below.
Portugal is in Europe too 😛
Seriously? This is the offseason move? I agree with one of the other posters. Why no move toward a Brazilian or Portuguese player of prominence? For Red Bull hyping themselves as such good marketers they really are clueless about Newark and Harrison. Then again, the Henry experiment hasn’t really led to much excitement. The club needs to get rid of Soler and bring in someone not afraid of Latino/Hispanic players. There is such a large fan base to tap into. Unfortunately I just think management will keep running it as a wannabe Eurosnob club. 🙁
No, that position is calling for a big-name DP
most likely, but im curious as to whom these young yanks soler has his eye on bringing in.
Jersey City, New York City, what else can I say, Philly sux!
I guess the fact that two Scandanvian “stars” of the NYRB — Soler and Backe — are the biggest underachievers in the history of MLS, is an exception to that statement! I guess if they can’t figure out US and S.American talent, they might as well keep picking up guys from Norway and Sweden (and throw in a 40 year old keeper from Germany). What a disaster. Galaxy bag Keane and are close to re-signing Beckham, Philly has successfully signed a number of highly talented Costa Ricans at budget rates…and Red Bull fans are supposed to be excited about this? Is it too hard for these guys talented talented US, Portuguese or Brazilian talent on the doorstep of the Ironbound and Kearney? My guess at average attendance per game next year for the most expensive franchise in the league? 13,000 if they a lucky.
LMFAO
I had to scroll back up and do a double take!
“Ream doesn’t meet the requirements for a work visa in any way shape or form.”
You are probably right but the work permit “requirements” are actually more like guidelines.
I doubt Coyle would be making such a big deal about Ream if it were totally hopeless.
There is usually some grey area and if they don’t get him in January that doesn’t mean they won’t try for him again in the summer, which is what happened with Guzan.
According to a poster (Arsenal14) on MetroFanatic, Ream actually can qualify for a work permit assuming he has a college degree.
Another point by the same poster:
“When Matt Pickens got a work permit to play for QPR, it certainly wasn’t because of exceptional skill – it was because he held a bachelor’s degree, and could potentially contribute to British society outside of soccer. ”
He played for St. Louis for 4 seasons, which leads me to believe he probably graduated before being drafted by NY.
In 2011, a total of 144 international slots are divided among the 18 clubs. Each club began with eight international slots, which are tradable. There is no limit on the number of international slots on each club’s roster.
So how many left?
It’s mediocrity! Hooray mediocrity!
^ that.just.happened…. boom
Maybe the deaf ears will hear it again: RBNY fans do.not.care about the Union. At all. All your yapping is achieving nothing. Every single article on any website attracts Chester fans screaming about NY like it will make us notice you. I may enjoy watching DC fans and other rival teams’ fans in agony, but I actually respect them, which is something you guys have achieved from nobody. Does a magazine article whose sole purpose is to ridicule you as poseurs count? Seriously, everyone, check out the GQ Sons of Ben article. The fact is, Philadelphia is a ridiculously, ridiculously inferior city compared to NYC and your insecure whining is a byproduct of that.
“The New York Red Bulls have had an awfully quiet offseason”
That’s because the padding in padded cells muffles most of the screaming.
Seriously, these folks are delusional, but it’s hardly an isolated illness. This club is in every way shape and form emulating the current regime at Arsenal = “As long as we complete pretty passes results really don’t matter and personnel problems don’t really matter.” The problem is NYRB don’t have the same laurels to rest on that currently keep Arsene employed-so in may ways what’s going on there is more outrageous
It’s a shame that both clubs will remain -just- good enough to hold off the revolution type overhaul that will be needed to turn their respective situations around.
wow. easy there. unless you have proof that’s really not necessary…
That’s funny, because I can’t remember any uniquely Red Bull/Metrostars defining moments. Your club is defined by mediocre/underwhelming results on the field and by a blundering front office off the field. Funny how a team with a first rate stadium and the second highest payroll in the league can only manage to fill their stadium to 78% of capacity. If you have such a huge passionate fan base, why don’t they come out to more games? I’m quite happy that the Union don’t have a history of mediocrity like your team. It’s no wonder MLS is so desperate to put another team in NY to make up for the abject failure that is the NJ Energy Drinks.
Well ill give my trust to hans and soler, they have signed more good players than flops. i mean, who would have thought rodgers had 10 goals in him? or lindpere would be such an inspiration? He could do very, very well, however there is still a need for a backup goalkeeper (supposedly a young gk to be tutored by rost), another experienced cb, another young reserve cb, backup LB, an attacking minded midfielder, a backup rm, and two more strikers to fill in for when/if agudelo goes to the olympics, and if/when rodgers is injured. So, good signing but there has to be more if 2012 is going to be > than 2011.
An attacking midfielder, definitely, I hope.
Maybe an attacking midfielder next?
Ream doesn’t meet the requirements for a work visa in any way shape or form. The talk of him leaving is premature. Bolton may want him but they can’t get him. He will leave after his contract is completed and he (maybe) solidifies himself with the nats
2 years… absolutley no history… i cant stress that enough.. NO HISTORY.. any type of passion you have is absolutely forced and non existent. 17 years and we still have a huge passionate fan base.. your team has no identity, no style, no defining moments.. You are all just putting on an act. the only rivalry we have is with your neo-nazi fatties who are dumb enough to act tough in newark… how does that work out for you?
Not pumped, but we do need someone good in the air on corner kicks. Is he that?
Cans, not cups.
Not as embarassing as having Neo-Nazis in the Sons of Ben.
17 years, no cups!
Does this signal that Ream is on the move?
I’m hearing “voices” that Ream is one step out the door.
To be fair the voices are in my head.
Hans loves him some Vikings.
Well, he’s Swedish, so he sounds perfect for the Red Bulls.
It’s about f’n time NY got some size in the middle. This guy is young with professional experience. This could be the banger they need to complement Ream in the middle.
At this point in his career, Marquez is better off as a play-making D-Mid, not an MLS banger in the back. Tainio provides cover there.
Now the key is finding that #10 DP. Ballack or Del Piero would make a lot on sense/cents.
set photo from the straight-to-dvd sequel of the Hangover.
is that henry wrinkler on Backes right?
I didn’t know Stephen Colbert was a Red Bulls assistant.
sounds like you’re talking about keel!
Though I have no knowledge of the guy until now, the age, height and international pedigree point to positive things. And thus far, the other guys Soler and Backe have brought in from Scandinavia have worked out pretty well. Hopefully it works out, as we certainly need help in the back…
He’s played more as right back then central in Sweden. Decent quality, stable in defense but horrible passing and technique.