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Red Bulls Reader has moved to a new blogging platform and also has a new web address. To satisfy your Red Bulls Reader cravings, point your browser to www.redbullsreader.com. This site is up and running and will give you the same access the original site did.

Thank you for your patience during this switch as well as your support!

TWO DOWN; TWO TO GO

Red Bull New York announced today that it has signed midfielders Jorge Rojas and Juan Pietravallo after they received their P-1 visas. Rojas and Pietravallo will be available for selection for the Red Bulls’ match against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday at 6:30 PM ET at Giants Stadium (TV: Fox Soccer Channel, Radio: WADO 1280).

Rojas should step right into the Starting XI and fill the CAM role that has been an issue for the Red Bulls for most of the season. No word on if Pietravallo will also step into a starting role.

Diego Jimenez and Gabriel Cichero have not been officially signed by the club at this point, in regards to MLS approval, etc.

Are you excited about these two players donning the kit for the first time? Do you think their presence will change the dynamic on the field? Will it produce more wins for the club? Will Rojas be the difference maker we all hope he can be? Will you be there on Saturday for their debut? TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE. Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

FOUR ACADEMY PLAYERS NAMED TO USDA U17/18 STARTING XI

The US Soccer Development Academy’s eight Conference Starting XI squads and Coaches of the Year from the Under-17/18 age groups were announced recently during Finals Week at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. In the U17/18 Mid-Atlantic Divison four Red Bull players were selected to this prestigious group.

"It is a great achievement and honor that we had four players selected to the all conference team in the inaugural season of the Academy,” head coach Paul O’Donnell said. “To have four out of the eleven selected is a testament to the impact that these players and the entire U18 team had on the National Scouts and opposing coaches. The players that were selected were worthy of their selection and were tremendous over the course of the entire season".

The recipients of the awards were voted upon by U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy coaches and National Team scouts.

The Red Bulls total was matched only by the Baltimore Bays, who finished just ahead of the Red Bulls during the regular season, and have advanced to the Finals Week Championship match. The full team is as follows:

U-17/18 Mid-Atlantic Starting XI:
GK: Bill Hamid – D.C. United
D: Thomas Brandt - Baltimore Bays
D: Connor Lade - NYRB
D: Chris Lebo - Baltimore Bays
M: James Wenger - PA Classics
M: Cesar Blacido - NYRB
M: Neil Vranis - Baltimore Bays
M: Matt Kassell - NYRB
F: Chris Argorsor - Baltimore Bays
F: Kyle Bethel - Match Fit Academy
F: Johnny Exantus - NYRB

Coach of the Year: Steve Klein - PA Classics

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RELEASE

US Soccer Annouces Squad For Beijing

Peter Nowak announced the team he will being with him to Beijing for the 2008 Summer Olympiad. A familiar name is on the list at forward, as Jozy Altidore (no major surprise there) has been selected. Through conversations with RBR ealier this year, being selected for the team was a dream for Jozy, and all of us here at RBR are extremely happy for him.

READ THE FULL USSOCCER.COM RELEASE HERE

There was some concern when Jozy transfered that Villareal would not allow him to participate, but its seems that is not the case after all.

What do you think of the team's medal chances? There are in a tough group. How will they fare? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

CLAUDIO REYNA RETIRES FROM PRO SOCCER

At an emotional press conference Wednesday at St. Benedict's Prep, Red Bulls captain and Designated Player Claudio Reyna retired from professional soccer. In front of numerous dignitaries, friends, family, media members, and Red Bulls members, the man known as "Captain America" hung up his boots.

Read more about it and see the video of the press conference on the official site .

Reyna met with his teammates prior to the press conference to let them know personally about his decision. RBR caught up with a few players afterwards to get their reaction to the announcement.

Angel on Reyna's retirement:

van den Bergh on the impact of Reyna's experience on the locker room:

Stammler on playing with Reyna:


What are your thoughts on Reyna's retirement? What is his legacy in regards to American soccer? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

A RED BULL STAFFER AND THE SHOWDOWN IN CHINATOWN

Photo from Unprofessional Foul
The Unprofessional Foul blog sat down with RBNY's own Mike Quarino recently to talk about his experience serving as target practice...excuse me, goalkeeper during the Showdown in Chinatown a few weeks ago.

Mike did a great job in the game, and an equally solid job with the interview. CLICK HERE FOR THE INTERVIEW

RBR posted about this earlier, with some nice video.

REAL LIFE: SECAUCUS - EPISODE TWO: SKIP TO MY LOU

In our second episode of Real Life: Secaucus, David Roth checks in with Arizona Cardinals placekicker Neil Rackers. Rackers took part in a Red Bulls practice prior to the team's 1-0 win over Chivas de Guadalajara in Glendale, AZ on June 25. Rackers and Roth, both from St. Louis, waxed nostalgia about their hometown. Of course, we have no idea what they’re talking about, but enjoy!