As Frank Giase of The Star-Ledger reported (and as I independently confirmed on SBI), Teemu Tainio, Jan Gunnar Solli, Bill Gaudette and Jose Angulo had their contract options declined, thus ending their time in New York.

With Tainio, who was out for most of the season with a severe knee tear, and Solli, who was relegated to bench duty, the Red Bulls saved a cool $385k under the cap alone. Add Angulo and Gaudette to the mix, and you add a further savings of 97k. In the world of Major League Soccer, $480k plus is a gold mine of possibilities for the club to play with and if rumors are to be believed, the team’s new coach (possibly Gary McAllister) could use the leeway in remodeling the franchise in their image.

Though Tainio’s release may not come as a surprise, Solli and Gaudette do. Much like Joel Lindpere, Solli’s work rate won over fans and his eccentric personality endeared him further to the club. He would likely be remembered as much for his “Bull Dance” as he was for his play on the pitch …

Meanwhile, Bill Gaudette becomes the victim of cash, age and circumstance. At 31, he is the veteran option between Luis Robles, 28, and Ryan Meara, 22. He’s also the highest paid keeper on the team. Though he did stake his claim to the starting job throughout his tenure with the team, injuries forced him to take a back seat for the surprise signing of Luis Robles. Once given the shot, the young American international never looked back.

As for Jose Angulo, the local product could never make a dent in this “win-now” atmosphere New York perpetually lives in. Even during U.S. Open Cup qualification, he was still behind Jhonny Arteaga on the pecking order. With Corey Hertzog enjoying a solid loan to the Wilmington Hammerheads, that particular trio was bound to see cuts as well, but don’t be mistaken; Hertzog’s guaranteed $103.5k salary will surely be examined by the teams new brass amongst many other teammate’s earnings.