SECAUCUS, N.J. - Red Bull New York announced today that it has signed Kearny, NJ native Hugh MacDonald to a contract. The former Monmouth defender was not drafted in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft or Supplemental Draft in January, but earned a contract offer after spending the entire preseason in the Red Bulls' training camps in Florida and California.
Per MLS and team regulations, terms of the deal are undisclosed.
MacDonald, 21, joins a line of former New York players who grew up in Kearny including previous U.S. National Team standouts Tab Ramos and Tony Meola. John Harkes, a Red Bulls assistant coach and a former National Team player, also hails from Kearny.
MacDonald spent the past two years playing at Monmouth University for head coach - and fellow Kearny native - Rob McCourt. During his time anchoring Monmouth's back line, MacDonald earned the Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year award twice and helped lead the team to its first ever NCAA tournament appearance in 2006. He finished his career at Monmouth with six goals and two assists, while helping the Hawks defense register 23 shutouts over two seasons. The Hawks' 0.45 goals against average was second-lowest in the country. MacDonald spent the first two years of his college career at Virginia Commonwealth University.
The All-Mid Atlantic Region first team (2005) and All-North Atlantic Region (2006) first team selection has seen time in each of the Red Bulls' eight preseason matches, playing primarily in central defense. He also partook in the 2007 adidas MLS Player Combine in January.
Quotes:
Jeff Agoos
"Hugh gives us a big presence in the back with a physical dimension that you can't coach. He's a very smart player and we think he has a big upside. The icing on the cake is that he is a local guy from New Jersey."
Hugh MacDonald
"It's a great experience for me personally to come in here and play with these great players and coaches. I look forward to doing everything I can to help the club be successful."
John Harkes
"I think him getting a contract shows that he is a competitor. You look at someone's character and how much they want to make it, that is part of being a professional and he shows signs of it. He digs in and is a good leader as well. He seized the opportunity we gave him and has made the most of it.
"It's good to see the next generation guys from Kearny coming through. It's not only great for him individually but it shows hope for the local clubs that if you compete and play well in your club team and at your university, things can work out at the pro level."
Player: Hugh MacDonald
Position: Defender
Height: 6-4
Weight: 200
Birthdate: April 28, 1985
College: Monmouth University
