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."

ANOTHER SIGNING, ANOTHER 'KEEPER

Less than a week after re-signing goalkeeper Jon Conway, Red Bull New York announced today that it has signed a second goalkeeper in Zach Thornton. Per MLS and team policy, specific terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Red Bulls now have three goalkeepers on their roster, as Thornton joins Conway and Danny Cepero

Thornton will join New York for the second time in his career after being drafted in the 7th round (69th overall) by the club in the inaugural 1996 MLS Draft. The Edgewood, MD, native, who has earned a career 1.28 goals against average and an 111-71-33 record, was most recently a member of the Colorado Rapids, where he played in one game in 2007 before being waived on Nov. 28, 2007.

"We are excited to bring Zach into our squad as we head into the preseason," said Red Bull New York Sporting Director Jeff Agoos. "With his experience, he will immediately bring depth to the goalkeeper position."

Prior to joining the Rapids on March 2, 2007 after he was traded by the Chicago Fire for a conditional 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft pick, Thornton minded the nets in Chicago for eight seasons (1998-2003, 2005-2006). During his time there, Thornton played in a total of 215 games, starting in 212 and posting 57 shutouts. In 1998, Thornton was named the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year after he helped the Fire to win the MLS Cup in the club's first season. In-between his time with the Fire, Thornton also played for Portuguese side, Benfica, in 2004.

Thornton, 34, was acquired by Chicago in the 1997 MLS Expansion Draft after New York left him unprotected. During his two seasons in New York (1996-1997), Thornton made six appearances. The 6-3, 230-pound, former Loyola University (Maryland) standout has also earned eight caps with the U.S. Men's National Team.

JON CONWAY RE-SIGNS WITH THE RED BULLS

In the first (re)signing of the Jeff Agoos era as Sporting Director, Red Bull New York announced today that goalkeeper Jon Conway has signed a new contract with Major League Soccer and will be part of the Red Bulls’ roster in 2008. Per MLS and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“During the past two years with New York and throughout his MLS career, Jon has proven that he has the ability and work ethic to become a starting goalkeeper in this league,” stated Agoos. “We are excited that we were able to come to terms with Jon and look forward to his contribution in 2008.”

Conway, who was out of contract, was originally acquired from the San Jose Earthquakes on Dec. 5, 2005, in exchange for a 2006 fourth round MLS SuperDraft pick. He is coming off a 2007 campaign in which he posted a 1.10 goals against average – good for a tie for fourth in MLS – after playing in 14 games, starting in 12 and earning four shutouts. The former Rutgers University product also started in both of the Red Bulls’ playoff games against the New England Revolution last season.

In 2006, Conway, 30, had a career-year, leading the League with a 1.00 goals against average and posting a 7-3-2 record, including five shutouts. Prior to joining New York, Conway was with San Jose from 2000-2005, making 18 starts. Conway was selected by San Jose in the third round of the 2000 MLS SuperDraft.

RED BULLS WRAP: EPISODE 22

In this week's episode of Red Bulls Wrap, the New York Red Bulls' official podcast, JP Dellacamera and Shep Messing talk about Jeff Agoos' new position as Sporting Director, Jozy Altidore's call up to the US Men's National Team, and discuss some of the rumors surrounding several MLS player tranfers.

To download the podcast, please click the link to Episode 22 in the left column.