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One for the Money, Two for the Show:
According to the Washington Post's Steve Goff, the New York Red Bulls are interested in signing Junior forward Alex Muyl for Georgetown. Also mentioned by Goff was the possibility of signing Muyl's teammate, Senior forward and Hermann Trophy finalist Brandon Allen. However, in subsequent days Allen's name was included on the initial MLS Combine list, thus making him appear to be heading to the draft. This is not definitive by any stretch, as multiple reports state he is still negotiating with the team, and he would certainly not be the first potential homegrown to be taken off the combine list, but Allen does appear to be heading away from the homegrown route.
Red Bulls might make homegrown offer to @GUHoyasMSoccer junior F Alex Muyl. Club could also sign Hoyas senior F Brandon Allen to HG deal
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) December 9, 2015
Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder:
One name of note that wasn't on the initial Combine list was Maryland Senior midfielder, Mael Corboz. Widely seen as one of the best midfielders in the college game, his lack of inclusion on the list has nothing to due with a lack of skill, suggesting New York is in the process of negotiating with him. Though New York's midfield is already exceptionally deep, Corboz, a two-way player who's lethal from deadball situations, much like current homegrown midfielder Sean Davis, would definitely find himself with plenty of playing time between NYRBII and the first team.
Red Bulls seem likely to offer homegrown deal to Maryland MF Mael Corboz soon. Terps jr D Ivan Magalhaes out of eligibility, off to combine
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) December 11, 2015
Three Free from Responsibility:
Three other names of note not on the initial Combine list are Villanova midfielder Sean Sheridan, Virginia defender Scott Thomsen, and Bucknell midfielder Chris Thorsheim. All three players featured on the team's U23 team this summer, with Thorsheim playing as a fullback in the PDL. Thorsheim was also on the early Hermann Trophy Watch-list, and ended the season leading Bucknell with 8 goals and 6 assists. Thomsen played a key role in Virginia's national championship winning team last year, but missed most of this season due to injury. However, Thomsen remains the only player to have played all 4 years of his college career for New York's U23 team. Between that and his numerous training stints with the first team, it's clear the organization thinks highly of him, and he continues to be seen as a very likely signing for the Red Bulls or NYRBII.
He's a naJem:
Adam Najem and Akron were recently knocked out of the College Cup in the semi-finals. No substantiated rumors have surfaced about Najem going pro, but as one of top players in college, Najem would be an exceptional signing even with New York's already packed midfield. It's worth noting the Akron star did return to play for NY's U23 team this summer despite not being on the initial roster.
Stirring the Soup:
In New York Red Bull II's first season, few stood out as much as Derrick Etienne. The Haiti youth international dazzled in the USL before heading off the Virginia where he enjoyed a successful freshman year, adding to fans already loud cries to sign him to a pro deal. It is believed that he is one of the young players Ali Curtis was talking about signing, and the young winger could be leaving school a few years early to come join up with New York.
It May InDeeds be happenings:
Something of note is academy player Mason Deeds had been training with the first team for a few weeks during the first team's playoff run. Accompanied by NYRBII standout ‘Speedy' Williams and second-round draft pick Stefano Bonomo, the 17 year-old centerback is held in high regard by the team. Despite his commitment to attend Georgetown next year, it looks increasingly likely that his signing is imminent, be it for NYRBII or the first team. Deeds is also valued highly by New York's cousins over in Salzburg and Leipzig, having been over to train several times in the last few years, and it appears all of Red Bull Soccer would like to bring him into the fold.
Other News and Notes:
As previously covered here on Once a Metro, it appears academy and US U17 standout Matthew Olosunde is heading across the pond to Manchester United. Check out a scouting report on one of the nations top prospects.
New York Red Bulls lifer, Bolu Akinyode, has found himself a new team, recently signing with Bethlehem Steel, after being released from NYRBII at the end of the season. Akinyode, played for New York's academy, U23, and USL team for many, many before finally moving on after a rather impressive first season with NYRBII. We here at Once a Metro wish him all the best in the future.
Orlando City signed goalkeeper Mason Stajduhaar to a homegrown contract on November 9th, making him the club's 3rd homegrown player (despite what they'd claim otherwise). He joins Christian Lucetero and Tyler Adams as the third member of this year's growing homegrown class. Real Salt Lake's Danny Acosta looks to be joining that class shortly as it's 4th member.
The Seattle Sounders have tabled the largest homegrown offer in MLS history in an effort to entice Jordan Morris away from Stanford. With Morris just capturing a national championship and with the new $125,000 for homegrown players made available along with the new TAM issued, signing Morris has become a definite possibility.
New York Academy products Dan Metzger and Konrad Plewa are readying for another year on NYRB II. The two New Jersey natives were 2 of only 5 players to have their contracts picked up by the team, and both will play a big part in the club's second campaign, as they look to stake a claim for a first team contract.
Columbia defender, RBNY Academy graduate, and U23 player Anthony Mattarazo was also named to the initial MLS Combine roster, indicating that New York does not see a spot for him in the near future.