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Tim Cahill has been with the New York Red Bulls for just over four months but that has not stopped him from earning a bevy of respect within the organization, a respect that could see him earn the club’s captaincy in 2013.
Thierry Henry has worn the armband for the Red Bulls for each of the last two seasons, but Cahill could displace the star striker in that role when the club appoints its new head coach in the near future. Both Designated Players are two of the more experienced players on the Red Bulls and in MLS, but Cahill has quickly made a lasting impression on teammates, coaches, and club executives with his professionalism, toughness and ability to lead.
“I didn’t know anything about Tim Cahill aside from watching him play for Everton, but he completely surprised me with his positive attitude, never anything negative,” Mike Petke told MLSsoccer.com. “Who knows what he’s thinking in his mind, but never anything negative, always pushing the guys on, always the first in the locker room to be offering up advice.”
Adding to the argument that Cahill is a potential captain is his handling of a pair of situations late in the year. Cahill played through a torn calf in the playoffs and he also stopped media from reaching a tearful Kenny Cooper following the Red Bulls elimination loss to D.C. United in the playoffs.
There’s no question that Henry has his own leadership qualities and he has been around MLS and with the Red Bulls substantially longer than Cahill. The new coach that steps in could very well elect to keep the former France national team forward as the Red Bulls’ captain for that reason and many others, but for the first time in years, it appears some serious thinking will go into the decision of who will captain the Red Bulls.
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Who do you think should be the Red Bulls captain in 2013? Think it makes much of a difference either way?
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