UPPER MONTCLAIR, N.J. – The New York Red Bulls are making progress in their mission to add a third Designated Player this summer.
Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe revealed to reporters on Wednesday morning that the club is currently in negotiations to bring in a new DP, but he would not elaborate on who it is nor what position he plays.
Backe, however, did emphasize that if the player should join the Red Bulls, it will not be in the coming days.
“It’s always difficult to finish personal terms,” Backe told reporters. “That takes time.”
Backe also touched on the ongoing Luke Rodgers saga, and shockingly there was once again no update despite the Red Bulls claiming they would make a decision over the weekend. In the meantime, New York will look at their options to add depth at striker.
“That’s the target of course to get one quality guy in up front,” Backe said. “[Whether] we trade one or if it’s to buy one from Europe, we don’t really know yet. It takes time. It’s not overnight you do these trades or buying players from Europe.”
While the Red Bulls’ search to add to their thin forward corps is still ongoing, they could soon get a boost in the form of Quincy Amarikwa. The 24-year-old is currently trialing with New York after being released by the Colorado Rapids last month, and he scored the lone Red Bulls’ goal in a Reserve League draw against the New England Revolution this past weekend.
“He played quite OK,” Backe said. “His runs in the attacking game [are] good. Technically, good enough, I must say. But as I told him, I’ve only seen him one game with the reserves and I need to see him four, five times [in] sessions.”
Backe added a decision on Amarikwa, who has also played for the San Jose Earthquakes previously, could be made Saturday.
Franco Panizo covers the New York Red Bulls for MLSsoccer.com. He can be reached at Franco8813@gmail.com.
