Colombian international Juan Pablo Angel joined his new teammates Monday after flying in from Birmingham, England late Sunday night. But because the former Aston Villa striker is on a tourist visa, he is unable to train or play with the New York Red Bulls until he obtains a working visa.
"I'm desperate to start playing," the 31-year-old said from the Red Bulls training facility at Montclair State University Tuesday afternoon.
So while he didn't train with the Red Bulls Monday or Tuesday, he was able to get to know the players, coaches and staff.
"There is a togetherness among the lads," Angel said. "I'm just excited to be part of it. I'm really looking forward to start working with the lads as soon as possible."
When is "as soon as possible"? That's the big question Red Bulls fans have, but Red Bulls technical director Jeff Agoos said the team doesn't really have an answer. Barring a minor miracle, Angel will not be flying to Dallas for the Red Bulls' next match Thursday night at Pizza Hut Park.
"When you throw it over to the U.S. government, it's kind of out of our control," Agoos said. "We're trying to push it through as fast as we can."
Until he obtains his working visa, Angel will stay in the United States and continue to get acquainted with the team. Once he does get his visa, his family will join him in New York.
"That's all part of the process," Red Bulls boss Bruce Arena said. "People want to fit into the environment."
So far, so good though, Angel said.
"I'm just very impressed with everything in the time I've been here," he said. "I know that first of all we're a very good team. We're well balanced with good young players."
Angel, who was signed by the Red Bulls last week on a free transfer from English Premiership side Aston Villa, is the second player the Red Bulls selected under the new designated player rule - the first was midfielder Claudio Reyna, who arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City.
"We obviously think that the addition of Juan Pablo will make us much stronger," Arena said. "We've missed an experienced striker and a player with a proven ability to score goals. So we brought this very fine player here to play immediately and hopefully make our team stronger on the field and off the field as well."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
