New York Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio can cross two names off his shopping list.
Venezuelan international Jorge Rojas and Argentinean defensive midfielder Juan Pietravallo were introduced in a press conference at the Red Bulls' training facility Wednesday afternoon. The two have agreed to terms, but both need to get a P-1 visa and approval from Major League Soccer.
Rojas has long been a target of Osorio's, going back to when he coached at Millonarios in Colombia.
"I think he's a versatile player, he brings many good things to the table," Osorio said. "I'm pleased that he's one step away from signing and being able to play for us. It will be very good for us."
And Rojas, whose 82 caps are second-most in Venezuela, is no stranger to top-flight soccer in the USA, either.
"I have been aware of MLS since the time Giovanni Savarese was playing for the MetroStars," Rojas said through Osorio, who played the part of interpreter. "I have been following the games that they show in Venezuela. I think that MLS is a very organized league, very competitive, very professional, and it's definitely something I thought about before coming into MLS."
Savarese, the former MetroStars forward, played with Rojas on the Venezuelan national team.
"He's very technical, he's very skillful, very knowledgeable and quick in decision making during the game," said Savarese, who played in the Showdown in Chinatown charity game a week ago. "(Osorio) has chosen someone with plenty of experience at the highest level. Being a lefty, a very elegant player who brings a lot of good components."
Rojas is primarily a left-sided midfielder who can also play in the attacking role in a three-man midfield or can be a defensive midfielder in a 4-4-2. He has also played left back for the Venezuelan national team, but Osorio doesn't plan on using him there.
The 31-year-old has played for numerous South American clubs, including Atletico National and America de Cali in Colombia and Caracas FC and Union Atletico Maracaibo in his native Venezuela.
Rojas also has two goals on the international stage, including the lone goal in a 1-1 draw against Honduras on May 30. He also played for Venezuela in a 2-0 win against Brazil at Gillette Stadium June 6.
"He's a quality player. He has played on the international level for the majority of his career," said Juan Pablo Angel, who played against Rojas internationally when the forward was on the Colombian national team. "We would like to have those players around. He's a creative player, he can give us that on the left wing ... hopefully he'll adapt quickly to life here, to the team, get to everyone know and hopefully he'll be a big asset to us."
Pietravallo is a 26-year-old defensive midfielder who started his career at Velez Sarsfield and has played for nine clubs in eight years. Most recently he played for Veria FC in the Greek Super League.
"When the coach went to Argentina and met with me, I liked the way he approached me and the way he likes to do things here," Pietravallo said. "This is probably the biggest club in MLS, the biggest city in the world and there is no other bigger challenge than that."
Pietravallo, who trained with the Red Bulls for about a week before agreeing to terms, is the latest from Argentina to join Major League Soccer.
"When I came back from Greece I was surprised as to how much coverage MLS is getting in Argentina at the moment, especially with players like (Guillermo) Barros Schelotto playing for Columbus," he said. "I really think this league is on the up."
Osorio traveled to Argentina to meet with Pietravallo a couple of weeks ago.
"When I looked at the need to find an anchorman or a defensive midfielder, I think I chose the right place to go, which is Argentina," Osorio said. "(He is) a guy who breaks the play, regains possession and gets to distribute the ball."
Joining Rojas and Pietravallo at training Thursday was former Mexican youth international Diego Jimenez, who received a contract offer from the Red Bulls two weeks ago.
After the sides were unable to come to contract terms, it was believed the Red Bulls' had started to look elsewhere. But, according to Osorio, the club is on the verge of signing Jimenez, a 22-year-old defender who most recently played for Tecos of the Mexican Primera Division.
"I am very pleased," Osorio said of Jimenez, who is married to an American and therefore wouldn't count as a foreigner on the Red Bulls' roster. "It looks like he's coming to terms with the club so it will be great if we can have Diego here, too."
But Osorio isn't done there with his shopping. He's still looking for a defender and a forward, especially since Jozy Altidore was shipped to Villarreal of Spain's La Liga. There are reports out of South America that the Red Bulls are linked with another Venezuelan international, Gabriel Cichero, who a 21-year-old left-footed defender who recently played for Deportivo Italia in the Venezuelan first division.
"A very good player, he's a player that I have followed up (on)," Osorio said of Cichero. "He would be very good."
And Osorio has about seven MLS players on his radar.
"I have to strengthen this team," he said less than 24 hours after the Red Bulls were bounced from the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in the third round by USL-2 side Crystal Palace Baltimore. "Last night it was so clear to me that we still need to keep strengthening because we want to compete in two competitions, never mind if we qualify for the CONCACAF (Champions League) or something like that. We need to strengthen depth and that's something we're lacking at this moment."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
