“El Gato” Kevin Hartman says he’s joining New York Red Bulls

"Has Kevin Hartman signed with the Red Bulls?" (Image: MLSSoccer.com)
“Has Kevin Hartman signed with the Red Bulls?” (Image: MLSSoccer.com)

Has MLS veteran Kevin Hartman signed with the New York Red Bulls?

According to his tweet late Thursday night, it would appear so. “So excited to be joining @NewYorkRedBulls,” he wrote. “I look forward to the support from the fans and to meeting my teammates.”

Both Hartman, 38, and his agent Ron Waxman confirmed the keeper’s signing via social media.

The Red Bulls have issued no official comment on the signing.

New York currently houses a three keeper staff including starter Luis Robles, Academy product Santiago Castano and 2012 rookie of the year contender Ryan Meara. Meara, 22, has been sidelined for nearly a year after undergoing two hip surgeries during the offseason. He has just begun training with the team.

“How close he is depends on how he responds everyday to training and how well he does with the training staff,” Head Coach Mike Petke said this week about Meara’s health. “I am very excited to see when Ryan comes back 100% to see what options we will have which is great, but the most important thing is Ryan himself. He is a young kid who needs to get back and take care of himself in the future.”

Robles has earned three starts for the team giving up five goals behind a makeshift backline and earning a shutout in the process. Meanwhile, Castano, 18, remains the only viable option for the club if their starting keeper falters.

In Hartman, New York will bring in a veteran who’s individual accomplishments litter the top of many all-time MLS record lists. He is the leagues career leader in saves (1,453), victories (179), clean sheets (111) and is the only MLS player to feature in 400 matches. He is the first MLS keeper to record back to back 20 win seasons and back to back years with a GAA under 1.0. He was also the 1999 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.

Along with his individual accolades, Hartman has also helped his teams collect silverware. He is a two time MLS Cup champion, two time US Open Cup winner, two time Supporters’ Shield winner, and four time Western Conference Champion.

Hartman was released by FC Dallas at the end of 2012 and was bypassed in both rounds of the re-entry draft back in December.

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