The Red Bulls got their man in the end.
After being thwarted in their pursuit of American goalkeeper Luis Robles in February after it was determined that his return to MLS would take him through the allocation ranking process, New York still landed the netminder with the 10th selection in the allocation rankings on Wednesday.
New England, Toronto FC, Chivas USA, San Jose, D.C. United, Portland, Chicago, Columbus and FC Dallas all passed on the veteran of five seasons in the German second division.
“Luis is a goalkeeper who we have been interested in for the past year and we are excited that he has joined our squad,” Red Bulls GM and sporting director Erik Solér said in a club statement. “We think that he has potential and we are eager to evaluate him in person on a daily basis at our club.”
Robles, who has one cap with the US national team in 2009, was scheduled to fly to New York to meet the club in February with the Red Bulls submitting a Discovery Claim on the player.
However, since he was once a college protected player after being drafted by D.C. United in 2007 and refusing to sign a contract, league rules stipulate that he be made available to MLS clubs through the allocation upon signing an MLS contract.
"Going to this organization would be an incredible way to come back to America,” Robles told MLSsoccer.com back in February.
The Red Bulls will be able to formally add Robles to the roster after receipt of the player's International Transfer Certificate.
Robles is the fourth goalkeeper on New York's roster, along with current starter Bill Gaudette, former rookie starter Ryan Meara and third-stringer Jeremy Vuolo.
Updated Allocation Order (as of Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012)
1) New England Revolution (28 pts in 2011)
2) Toronto FC (33 pts in 2011)
3) Chivas USA (36 pts in 2011)
4) San Jose Earthquakes (38 pts in 2011)
5) D.C. United (39 pts in 2011)
6) Portland Timbers (42 pts in 2011)
7) Chicago Fire (43 pts in 2011)
8) Columbus Crew (47 pts in 2011)
9) FC Dallas (52 pts in 2011)
10) Vancouver Whitecaps (28 pts in 2011 / Dropped from No. 1 to No. 12 after trade with PHI on June 26, 2012)
11) Seattle Sounders (2011 Conference semifinalist / 63 pts)
12) Sporting Kansas City (2011 Conference finalist / 51 pts)
13) Real Salt Lake (2011 Conference finalist / 53 pts)
14) Houston Dynamo (2011 MLS Cup finalist / 49 pts)
15) LA Galaxy (2011 MLS Cup finalist / 67 pts)
16) Montreal Impact (2012 Expansion Team / Signed Eddie Johnson from No. 1 spot on Feb. 17, 2012)
17) Colorado Rapids (2011 Conference semifinalist / Signed Kamani Hill from No. 11 spot on March 28, 2012)
18) Philadelphia Union (Moved from No. 12 to No. 1 via trade with VAN / Signed Bakary Soumare June 26, 2012)
19) New York Red Bulls (Signed Luis Robles from No. 10 spot on August 8, 2012)
