PIETRAVALLO CONTRACT TERMINATED

Red Bull New York announced today that it has terminated midfielder Juan Pietravallo’s contract.

“I want to thank Juan for his contribution to the club,” said Sporting Director Jeff Agoos. “This was a very difficult decision for us, but we believe it was the best move for both parties. We want to wish Juan the best of luck.”

Pietravallo, 27, has played in three games this season for New York, starting in two. He was signed by the Red Bulls last season on July 17 and featured in 13 games – 12 of which were starts. Pietravallo recorded one assist.

What do you all think about this move?

MORE FROM MINI CAMP

The Red Bulls mini-camp was back in session today, as the players (including Jack Traynor, pictured above) were divided into four teams and played restricted movement scrimmages with emphasis on keeping the ball on the ground and quick, crisp, and accurate passing and movement.  With just one more day remaining in the mini-camp, for many, it was among the last chances for players to distinguish themselves, as the First Team begins training early next week.

First Team players continued to trickle in Thursday, as the squad will undergo physicals Friday.  Today’s additions included Kevin Goldthwaite, Macoumba Kandji, Dane Richards, and John Wolyniec.

RBR caught up with Dan and Mac and will post a video on that shortly.

Following the session, Jeff Agoos spoke about the status of Babajide Ogunbiyi, the Red Bulls second round MLS SuperDraft selection, who is currently completing his degree at Santa Clara University:

MINI-CAMP AND TEAM MEETING

Today began with the second day of mini-camp at the Giants Stadium bubble. Later in the day, the front office and coaching staff met with the team at the Montclair State training facility in the first full-team meeting of the 2008 season.

Over 30 players are participating in the mini-camp, with the hopes of impressing the coaching staff and securing a spot on the roster. The team’s Supplemental Draft selections, as well as non-roster invitees, participated in 10 vs. 10 scrimmages. Some notable names in attendance included former New England Revolution defender Marshall Leonard, former Columbus Crew goalkeeper Bill Gaudette, and USL First Division Rochester Rhinos defender Scott Palguta. Several members of the media were in attendance as well, as the 2008 New York Red Bull preseason is one of optimism.

New head coach Juan Carlos Osorio, Sporting Director Jeff Agoos, and Managing Director Marc de Grandpre addressed the team at the team meeting later in the afternoon. The team’s leadership laid out the club’s goals for the 2008 season, and key members of the team, notably Juan Pablo Angel and Claudio Reyna, met with members of the media following the meeting.

Seth Stammler’s reaction to the team meeting
David Roth’s reaction to the team meeting
Jon Conway’s reaction to the team meeting

The team is preparing to travel to California to begin full squad preseason training this weekend, as the Red Bulls will train at The Home Depot Center from February 3-17.

RED BULL ACADEMY = FREE!!

Red Bull New York, in conjunction with the Red Bull Academy, announced today that going forward its Academy programs will be free of charge for all participants who are selected into the program. This is another positive step the club has taken to improve the overall success of th organization.

“Red Bull New York continues to commit its resources to the sport of soccer in the United States,” said RBNY Sporting Director Jeff Agoos. “Red Bull is firmly committed to player development and helping support youth soccer organizations within the local community. This will be a significant investment that is in line with our vision of creating a world-class player development system here in the Greater New York area. For our Academy players, this is the first step towards the goal of playing professionally for the New York Red Bulls.”

“By making the programs free of charge to all participants who are selected, Red Bull has eliminated the most significant barrier for talented soccer players to participate in a world-class program,” said RBNY Academy Director Bob Montgomery. “Top soccer talent will only have to be selected to the program by our world-class coaching staff. Beyond that, all of the participation costs will be handled by Red Bull. We believe by eliminating the cost barrier, top players will be able to develop within our program with a goal of someday playing on the First Team for the New York Red Bulls.”

The Red Bulls Academy and its grassroots programs presently operate out of the Red Bull New York corporate offices in Secaucus. Upon completion of the Red Bulls Training Facility in Hanover Township, New Jersey, the program will relocate to the world-class facility scheduled to have six soccer fields and a 45,000 square foot complex.

Tryouts for the 2009 cycle of teams will be held in the Spring of 2008 for the five Academy teams (U20, U18, U16, U15, U14).

For more information on Red Bull Academy, contact Red Bull New York at (201) 583-7025.

MLS SUPERDRAFT NETS RED BULLS THREE

Only time will tell how the first SuperDraft of the Jeff Agoos/Juan Carlos Osorio era will play out, but the club feels stongly about the three selections it made on the day.

Held in Baltimore, MD, Red Bull New York selected defender Eric Brunner of The Ohio State University with its second-round pick (16th overall), midfielder/defender Luke Sassano of the University of California – Berkeley with its third-round pick (34th) and midfielder David Roth of Northwestern University with its fourth-round pick (44th).

“Positionally, we fulfilled our needs today,” said Red Bull New York Sporting Director Jeff Agoos. “We were able to select the players who we were looking for without having to move up in the selection order. Hopefully, these players can contribute to our 2008 campaign.”

“I think we should be pleased with what we have,” said Red Bulls head coach Juan Carlos Osorio. “It was difficult because there were not too many players in our eyes who could come and compete for a starting position. I think they have good qualities, and hopefully, if they can hold their ground with the professionals, then I think in the long run, we can develop them and they can become an important part of the team.”

Here is a overview of the selections:

Brunner, a 6-4, 170-pound defender from Dublin, OH, earned a number of accolades during his college career. The 2008 adidas/MLS Combine MVP in January, Brunner was a NSCAA All-American and All-Region First Team selection in 2007 after scoring six goals and starting in all 26 games he played. Along with being the Buckeyes’ captain in his senior year, Brunner was named on the First Team All-Big 10 squad and made the College Cup All-Tournament team. He spent his first year in college at Maryland.

Over his four-year career, Brunner played in 89 games, starting in 79 and scoring 10 goals and four assists. A graduate of Scioto High School in Ohio, Brunner also played for club team, Thunder FC, and under John Bluem at OSU.

“It’s a great feeling to be selected by New York,” Brunner said. “The Red Bulls are a great organization and they have shown a lot of commitment to MLS. I’m excited to come in and hopefully, improve the team.”

Sassano, the team captain for UC-Berkeley in 2007, was named All Pac-10 Honorable Mention in 2005 and Pac-10 All-Academic Honorable Mention in 2007. Featuring in a total of 64 games (56 starts), the Huber Heights, OH native tallied a total of four goals and 19 assists during his four-year career for the Golden Bears, who were coached by Kevin Grimes.

The 6-0, 170-pound graduate of Miramonte High School (CA) has also played on club teams, Lamorinda United and the Santa Clara Sporting Ruckus.

Hailing from St. Louis, MO, Roth was a NSCAA All-American Second Team selection (2007) and a two-time NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region First Team pick (2006-07). The 5-8, 138 pound midfielder and two-time All-Big Ten First Team member (2006-07) has scored 19 goals and 32 assists in 83 games played over his four years at Northwestern. Roth played for Tim Lenahan at Northwestern and went to Chaminade College Prep.

“The Red Bulls were my number one choice and I couldn’t be any happier to be selected by them,” Roth said. “It is a really great opportunity for me to play with some of the best players in MLS and I can’t wait to get started.”