The New York Red Bulls preseason roster released this morning contains a mixture of known quantities, draft picks, and intriguing trialists. For the last two weeks, Red Bull fans clamored for roster development and player acquisitions. Four players signed deals this week, none of which had the flash most fans expected. Preseason began Monday, and the team flew to Arizona to prepare for the Desert Diamond Cup.
Along with the four players signed this week (Dan Metzger, Evan Louro, Rafa Diaz, and Arun Basuljevic), a few New York Red Bulls II players have been included as a means of “trying out” for the senior squad (Tim Schmoll, Aaron Long, Vincent Bezecourt, Florian Valot, and David Najem). The most intriguing pieces included to travel with the team are a pair of forwards, Robbie Findley and Davide Somma.
New York Red Bulls Preseason Roster Poses Questions
Here is the full roster:
Goalkeepers (3): Rafael Diaz, Evan Louro, Ryan Meara
Defenders (8): Justin Bilyeu, Aurelien Collin, Connor Lade, Kemar Lawrence, Aaron Long*, Jordan Scarlett@, Tim Schmoll*, Sal Zizzo
Midfielders (15): Tyler Adams, Arun Basuljevic, Vincent Bezecourt*, Sean Davis, Derrick Etienne, Jr., Mike Grella, Ethan Kutler@, Zeiko Lewis@, Felipe, Dan Metzger, Alex Muyl, David Najem*, Daniel Royer, Florian Valot*, Gonzalo Veron
Forwards (3): Brandon Allen, Robbie Findley#, Davide Somma#
# – unsigned player/trialist
@ – unsigned draft pick
* – NYRB II player
Robbie Findley had a very successful spell at Real Salt Lake nearly a decade ago, but has since had some lean years. Most recently, he played for Rayo OKC in NASL. There is no doubting Findley’s speed, but his finishing has left something to be desired throughout his career. Since moving to Nottingham Forest in 2011, Findley has scored just 16 goals in 108 appearances (0.14 goals per game).
Davide Somma has been off the field for a much longer time. An ACL injury in 2011 forced him to the sidelines and kept him out of the 2011-12 season for Leeds United. He was able to play with the Leeds development squad for several games the following year, though again he was beset with injury setbacks. By the end of the 2012-13 season, Somma’s knee required another operation to repair damaged cartilage. For Somma, his time with the club ended as his contract expired.
Like Findley, he has never been a consistent goal scoring threat, but he played as a withdrawn forward, able to hold the ball and link up the attack in the final third. Somma has spent time living in New York for the last few years and is reportedly friends with Mike Grella, his teammate at Leeds, according to a report on BigAppleSoccer.com
The remaining “trialists” all consist of standout NYRBII players from the 2016 USL Championship squad. Earlier reports had indicated that Vincent Bezecourt and Florian Valot would effectively be trying out for the senior team, but the inclusion of some additional players at positions of need for the Red Bulls is a good sign. Tim Schmoll and Aaron Long both showed very well in USL. Long was named the USL Defender of the Year for his standout season anchoring an historic backline for NYII. Schmoll was second on the team in minutes played by a defender and showcased his size well for the aerial game, but he excelled in one-on-one defending and reading the game as well.
Though David Najem is listed as a midfielder, he spent the majority of his time as a wingback for NYRBII. His ability to contribute to the attack was very productive down the stretch for the young Bulls. He showed a gritty defensive work-rate best compared to Connor Lade for RBNY. That determination will go a long way to securing a spot with the senior team.
Rounding out the group are a trio of draft picks, Zeiko Lewis, Ethan Kutler, and Jordan Scarlett. Lewis and Kutler will have their work cut out for them. Both players feature in a position of great depth for the Red Bulls. Unless either player has a tremendous preseason showing, expect them to put in time with NYRBII for the coming year.
Jordan Scarlett may have a better chance at making an appearance with senior team. It all depends on how he shows versus his other main competition, Schmoll and Long. Video of Scarlett has shown he can play as a hard-nosed, physical defender, while maintaining a strong ground game. However, it would be disingenuous to base predictions off of his highlights playing in the lower divisions of college soccer.
Jesse Marsch and the Red Bulls have their work cut out for them. Scrutiny will be high after crashing out of the playoffs and trading their captain, Dax McCarty. This will be the first chance to gauge where the team is heading into next month’s CONCACAF Champions League knockout match against Vancouver Whitecaps. All fans can do now, is watch and wait.
