The following is a press release from the New York Red Bulls:
HARRISON, N.J. (March 27, 2015) – New York Red Bulls II have announced their first roster ahead of Saturday’s inaugural United Soccer League (USL) game against the Rochester Rhinos at Red Bull Arena. The roster features 11 players on professional USL contracts, players on loan from MLS, and academy players who each signed a USL agreement for academy players, allowing them to play for New York Red Bulls II while preserving their amateur status.
Head coach John Wolyniec now has 11 USL players, including inaugural signing Tyler Adams, to fill out a roster that will also include young MLS talent and a variety of academy players throughout the year.
Four MLS players, goalkeeper Santiago Castano and midfielders Leo Stolz, Marius Obekop and Manolo Sanchez, will be available for the USL side this weekend against Rochester. Players on loan to USL may compete for both the USL and MLS sides over the course of the season, and will be made available to USL on a week-to-week basis.
Five academy players have received approval to compete for New York Red Bulls II – U-18 captain Derrick Etienne, Ethan Lochner, Kyle Zajec, Marcello Borges and forward Juan Sebastian Sanchez, who spent time with the first team during the first preseason trip to Orlando. The USL’s academy agreement allows these players to train and compete for the USL team without collecting a salary or receiving other compensation so that they retain college eligibility.
New York Red Bulls II will serve as another rung on the developmental ladder for the organization, to help bridge the gap between the Red Bulls Academy, which consistently ranks at or near the top of national academy rankings in all age groups, the Red Bulls U-23 team, and the first team.
Kickoff is on Saturday at Red Bull Arena is set for 2 p.m., and the game will be streamed live on newyorkredbulls.com/live.
Goalkeepers (2): Santiago Castano* (24), Rafael Diaz (74)
Defenders (3): Tyler Adams, Marcello Borges** (39), Michael da Fonte (44)
Midfielders (12): Franklin Castellanos (77), Alexander Clay 56), Derrick Etienne** (36), Colin Heffron (51), Victor Manosalvas (70), Dan Metzger, Marius Obekop* (21), Konrad Plewa (41), Manolo Sanchez* (17), Leo Stolz* (19), James Thomas (33), Kyle Zajec** (38)
Forwards (3): Ethan Lochner** (43), Juan Sebastian Sanchez** (37), Chris Tsonis (45)
(Jersey number in parentheses)
*- loan agreement from MLS
** – academy player with amateur agreement
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