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Red Bulls decline options on outside backs Barklage and Carney

BrandonBarklageNewYorkRedBulls1 (ISIPhotos)

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By DAN KARELL

The New York Red Bulls will be auditioning for roles this winter at outside back after the club parted ways with two starters.

The Red Bulls announced on Monday that they have declined options on wing backs David Carney and Brandon Barklage, with Carney eligible to remain in Major League Soccer through the waiver draft and Barklage eligible for the MLS re-entry draft.

“First, we want to thank Brandon and David for their service to our club. Both were top professionals and contributed to our success this season in helping us win our first Supporters’ Shield,” Red Bulls sporting director Andy Roxburgh said in a statement. “However, with this success comes the unfortunate challenge of making difficult decisions due to salary cap and personnel considerations. We wish both of them the best of luck.”

Barklage, primarily a right back though he played at left back on an emergency basis in a couple of matches, played 45 matches for the Red Bulls in a two-year stint with the club after he spent three seasons at D.C. United. The former Saint Louis Billiken started 37 of those matches, scoring two goals and adding 10 assists in regular season and playoff play.

Carney, an Australian international, joined the Red Bulls in early August after spending nearly a year without a club. The veteran left back provided solid cover for the Red Bulls in the absence of Roy Miller but committed a number of careless mistakes in defense that hurt the Red Bulls playoff hopes as they crashed out in the Eastern Conference semifinals. During his time in New York, Carney played in nine matches, all starts.

After the news broke on Monday morning, Barklage took to Twitter to give his thoughts on his situation.

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What do you think of this news? Did you expect to see both players leave the club? Do you see the Red Bulls adding an outside back or two in the MLS Draft? Do you see the club making any more roster decisions this week?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Agree with all the comments about Barklage. Whenever I saw the Red Bulls play I thought he was very good. Somebody should snatch this kid up, he shows a lot of promise. His main issue in the past seems to be been with injuries. Although not comparable, I remember when New York gave up on a young player who seemed to do well for them. He was traded to the Galaxy and then they traded him in one of the worst trades ever. Mike Magee is now finally getting the recognition he deserves. How long before Barkladge gets a chance to really blossom?

    Reply
    • Not sure I agree. I know you said, “not comparable” but then you went on toe make the comparison and ask the question about how long it takes before he really gets his chance to blossom?

      Barklage was pretty solid for a mid range player. But, comparing him to Mike Magee is a big stretch. Barklage has two fewer years to reach the level that Mike Magee did as he is already 27.

      I think, at best, Barklage will be a solid pickup for depth and compete for a starting spot, perhaps winning out. Beyond that, I don’t see him becoming a Mike Magee. Still, I think it’s pretty damn respectable. Few had ever heard of this guy and he comes in and starts to make a name for himself. Good on ya, mate!

      Reply
  2. Loss of barkladge first mistake. He is better than Kimura. In any case all left backs should get dropped miller is no better and mistake prone. Don’t see him faring well in concacaf. He will be skinned alive by most Mexican teams

    Reply
  3. Won’t miss Carney for all the reasons already stated. No doubt Barks didn’t have the year he did in 2012 but i still think he had a lot to offer. I wonder if the “competition” for playing time worked against him this year. Players need minutes to find the groove. I would take Barks over Kimura any day of week…..

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  4. not gonna miss carney at all, but seeing Barklage go hurts a little. A hard worker who gave his all for metro. I get that we need better from our fullbacks, but we should try to keep him for depth.

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  5. Scratching my head a little at Barklage. He was serviceable, played hard, and was relatively cheap.

    Carney on the other hand…gaffe after gaffe after gaffe. Thanks for helping blow that series against the Dynamo and almost blowing the shield with that gaffe against the Revs. Enjoy the frequent flyer miles on the way home.

    Reply
  6. Love that they are pushing to get better. But I could see Barkladge as a valuable, serviceable back-up. He only makes 71,429K/year. He’s the perfect player for that salary. Unless they feel they can get the same in the draft and pay 35K/yr, than it’s good biz.

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  7. Please, PTFC, pick up Barklage. We need some more speed and he is young compared to Jewsbury who is valuable for depth but not as quick and good at overlapping than Barklage.

    Reply
  8. Maybe Hulk starts playing right back more often now. Olave and Sekagaya in the middle. Miller wide left. Hopefully they go and get more athletic wing backs to cover them on the bench, we’ll need it across all competitions.

    Reply
    • Perhaps, but I don’t see Holgersson as the kind of speedy, aggressive fullback that Petke craves. He filled in admirably at RB when needed, but I see him as a fill-in RB rather than a steady starter there.

      Reply
  9. Sorry to see Barklage go. Tremendous athlete, if not the greatest soccer mind. I’d vote to keep him for depth and wonder where this leaves a guy like Connor Lade?

    Reply
  10. RBNY should find a way to keep Barklage. He can overlap with speed and crosses well. Carney won’t be missed except perhaps as Tim Cahill’s drinking buddy.

    Reply
    • Agreed. I thought Barklage was nice pick-up and contributor when he was on the field. Signing Carney seemed like a miss.

      However, I agree with the observation that it appears that RBNY are not willing to “settle” for talent.

      Reply
    • +1. He never got a fair chance (playing) with being injured most of his time here. Come back to DCU; can’t be any worse already finishing last.

      Reply
  11. Not surprising. Petke has made it clear that RBNY needs more from its fullbacks. Carney was mediocre even when he played at his best, and prone to bad defensive errors. Barklage was better, but I applaud RBNY’s refusal to settle.

    Reply

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