Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/USA Today Sports
By FRANCO PANIZO
The New York Red Bulls have had a transformational off-season, with the departures of Thierry Henry and Mike Petke, and that shakeup took another major turn after a blockbuster deal that sent away two top players, potentially paving the way for two
The Red Bulls acquired Brazilian veteran Felipe from the Montreal Impact on Tuesday in a three-player deal that will see the Canadian side receive Eric Alexander and Ambroise Oyongo in return. Additionally, Montreal is getting allocation money and an international roster spot while shipping the top spot in the allocation order to New York.
“We feel that this trade puts us in a great position,” said Red Bulls sporting director Ali Curtis in a released statement. “Felipe gives us options going forward that will allow us to play the style of soccer that we want to play. He is the type of player that can make an impact immediately and be a part of our future.”
Felipe, 24, has been with the Impact during the past three seasons. He made 93 combined league appearances, scoring 12 goals and assisting on 24 others. He played under current New York head coach Jesse Marsch during Montreal’s first season in MLS in 2012.
In Alexander and Oyongo, the Impact are getting a pair of players that bolster the squad and can step in immediately.
Alexander, 26, played in each of the Red Bulls’ 68 regular-season games during the past two seasons. The dependable MLS veteran scored six goals and had 11 assists during that stretch. Oyongo, a versatile, 23-year-old Cameroon international, played in 13 games in his first season in New York last year and had three assists.
“It’s a trade that helps improve our current roster by adding two quality players, while the allocation money and international spot gives us more flexibility within the salary cap and our roster,” said Impact technical director Adam Braz in a prepared statement. “The decision to move Felipe was not easy as he’s been with the club since the beginning in MLS. We`d like to thank him for his time with the club over the last few years and we wish him the best of luck in the future.”
New York has been linked with using the top allocation spot on RSC Anderlecht midfielder Sacha Kljestan. Kljestan — who also has ties with Marsch — has been rumored to return to MLS, and would need to go through the allocation order due to his status as a U.S. Men’s National Team player.
“While we have a top target in mind, we are considering all options to make use of the top allocation spot,” added Curtis.
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What do you make of this trade? Did the Red Bulls give up too much? How much will the Impact improve with Oyongo and Alexander on their books?
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