TWO BIRTHDAYS AND A SIGNING

The New York Red Bulls celebrated two birthdays today, as both Jon Conway and John Gilkerson came into this world on May 6.

To recognize their birthdays, RBR shares two birthday songs with you that are less traditional than the original.

Sheriff John - Put Another Candle On My Birthday Cake


The Beatles - Birthday


As for the signing, the club officially signed trialist Andrew Boyens today, pending receipt of his P-1 visa.

To make room for Boyens, Red Bull New York placed midfielder Michael Palacio on the team’s Season Ending Injury List.

“We think Andrew will provide immediate depth to our defense,” said Red Bull New York Sporting Director Jeff Agoos. “He gained valuable experience in his rookie year starting in a number of games for Toronto FC and we think that his ability will serve us well moving forward.”

Boyens, who has been training with the Red Bulls for the past two weeks, was waived by Toronto FC on April 14, 2008. The 6-4, 180-pound defender from Dunedin, New Zealand featured in 23 games, starting in 21, in 2007 – his rookie year. Boyens, selected in the first round (10th overall) of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft from the University of New Mexico, notched one goal and one assist last year.

The 24-year-old has played on the New Zealand National Team, earning four caps.

Palacio suffered a left knee injury in the first half of the Red Bulls’ MLS Reserve League match against the New England Revolution on April 20.