Soccer notes
Not a 'rebuilding year' for Red Bulls, says Petke
Revs injury news, another RSLer with Arizona ties
The New York Red Bulls have gone through an upheaval since they exited in the first round of the 2012 playoffs. Back in November, they declined their option on 10 players, and have since cut or traded three of their more recognizable faces: Kenny Cooper, Joel Lindpere and Rafael Márquez.
But don’t dare call this a rebuilding year.
“If you look at the talent we have, I should be shot for saying it’s a rebuilding year,” said Red Bulls coach Mike Petke. Petke is also part of the new look. He was promoted to assistant after previous coach Hans Backe was let go.
“It is a rebuilding year in one aspect from a personality standpoint, a character standpoint, an identity standpoint,” he conceded. “These are things we haven’t had in the history of this club and we are trying to change that.”
“You can’t change everything at once,” he said. “But there are some very good moments that we see, and there are moments we need to keep working on.”
Revs and Real notes
New England’s Chris Tierney is out for Saturday’s game against New York with a severe ankle sprain. Tierney was injured in Wednesday night’s game against Seattle following a tackle from Osvaldo Alonso.
Other New England players who are out with injuries include Ryan Guy, Kelyn Rowe and Saër Sène. Goalkeeper Matt Reis and the newly signed Chad Barrett have been sidelined by illness.
Among the players for Real Salt Lake on Wednesday night was Carlos Salcedo, who comes out of Real Salt Lake’s Academy in Casa Grande. Salcedo also spent time in the Chivas youth system. The Mexican-born defender played over an hour in the match.
“I thought he was good really quite good,” RSL coach Jason Kreis said in an interview for Grande Sports Academy's website. “He is a guy that is very young, but doesn’t show it. [He’s] mature for his age and his play and tactical thinking. [I’m] impressed with where he is but he has a lot of room to grow still but I the future is looking food for him.”