Historic Ineptitude

We have known for quite some time that the New York Red Bulls are terrible. Aside from a shock run to the MLS Cup final last fall, the artist formerly known as the MetroStars has had little in the way of success since its inaugural season in 1996 (aside from that coveted and prestigious La Manga Cup). Now, the Red Bulls are in the midst of a horrifically bad season, even for their standards. With Red Bull Arena opening next spring, ownership is intent on improving the on-field product, as they have called management over to Austria to explain this debacle.

The shakeups in New York might end up having some ramifications for the Union, as local product Jon Conway was released in order to bring in Senegalese GK and former Colorado Rapid Bouna Coundoul. Some believe this will clear the way for the Media, PA native to return to the Philadelphia area next year. Conway, who will turn 33 next Spring, would not be as big of a name as Kasey Keller, the GK that the Seattle Sounders brought in for their maiden campaign, but he would add an immediate local connection to the team while also bringing years of MLS experience to the GK position (whether as a backup or starter).

Last summer, Seattle signed its first player from outside the organization on August 14, when Kasey Keller was brought in. (Sebastien Le Toux, who was signed on May 7, was already a member of the Sounders USL team.) So, we may be just a month or so away from the first player in Union history (who hopefully will end up being a lot more than just an answer to a trivia question).

-STTU