The preseason roster continues to shrink.
The New York Red Bulls ended the trials of former Metrostar Tim Ward and local boy, Colin Heffron. Their dismissal follows the cuts of Eric Stevenson and Ian Christianson from the preseason roster.
In addition, guest player Gabriel Cajano ended his stint with the club, rejoining Red Bull Brasil.
Ward and Heffron were always considered long shots for a roster spot, though Ward made for an interesting trialist. He played a single season as a Metrostar in 2005 and last performed under the San Jose Earthquakes umbrella in 2012.
Their departure thins the defensive field, but doesn’t change many of the current positional battles. Roy Miller continues to look a clear cut starter on the left hand side, with Chris Duvall the heir apparent on the right. The depth battle at fullback, however, is weak with Connor Lade the only viable solution currently under contract. Anthony Wallace and Kemar Lawrence are battling for inclusion. Meanwhile, Ronald Zubar has made a good impression in preseason, leaving the second centerback competition wide open between current Red Bulls Matt Miazga, Andrew Jean-Baptiste and Damien Perrinelle — and incoming trialists Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and Karl Ouimette.
HERE IS AN UPDATED PRESEASON ROSTER (New Trialists in Bold)
- GOALKEEPERS Santiago Castano 24, Kyle Reynish 18, Luis Robles 31,
- DEFENDERS Andrew Jean-Baptiste 4, Chris Duvall 25, Connor Lade 16, Matt Miazga 20, Shawn McLaws^ 22, Roy Miller 7, Damien Perrinelle 55, Ronald Zubar, Anthony Wallace*, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado*, Karl Ouimette*, Kemar Lawrence*
- MIDFIELDERS Michael Bustamante 23, Ruben Bover 21, Sean Davis 27, Sacha Kljestan, Peguy Luyindula 8, Felipe Martins 3, Dax McCarty 11, Marius Obekop* 13, Lloyd Sam 10, Manolo Sanchez^ 9, Leo Stolz 88, Sal Zizzo 15, Dane Richards*
- FORWARDS Anatole Abang* 33, Mike Grella 5, Bradley Wright-Phillips 99
Trialist * | Unsigned Draft Pick ^
Archived content originally from EmpireOfSoccer.com by Dave Martinez
