Rafael Marquez and Luke Rodgers joining the Red Bulls?

As discussed in my post about a potential 2nd DP added this summer (team's 3rd DP spot) two names have been showing up in the media lately. Rafael Marquez should be announced by the end of next week with a contract reportedly for four years at $2.8 - 3 million per year. He would fill in our need for a defensive midfielder who can help maintain possession, an issue we had against the Crew this past Saturday. The midfield would have Marquez as the DF, Macoumba Kandji as the CAF, and Joel Lindpere and Sinisa Ubiparipovic on the wings. Combined with our strikers in Juan Pablo Angel and Thierry Henry, and you have arguably the most talented team in the MLS.

I discussed Luke Rodgers earlier as well. He's not deserving of a DP type contract but he does warrant a Joel Lindpere type deal. He is a young, aggressive British player who has a history playing for Hans Backe. It appears that his Visa issues have been resolved and he will be meeting with the team's management the first week of August. He's a name to keep an eye on as he can turn into a very effective striker.

Thanks to a reader for clarifying the DP rule. I've been under the assumption that the team received $70,000 in exchange for the DP spot they received from Chivas back in 2007. And I never saw that team's could purchase a third spot for $250,000 in allocation money when I reviewed the CBA. It appears that the team could keep Juan Pablo Angel and maintain the best attack in the league or they can pursue a different DP next year with Angel rumored to want to play in Mexico following the conclusion of his contract which runs till 2011.