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It's a bit tough to be a CB on a team with Matt Miazga and Damien Perrinelle playing well. It's even tougher to watch Ronald Zubar get the nod to replace an injured Perrinelle in the playoffs. But that's how Karl Oumiette's season went.
The Canadian international and NYRBII loanee was signed by the Red Bulls on March 4th, just about a month after being waived by the Montreal Impact, after becoming their first Academy player to move up to the senior team back in 2012. The move to the Red Bulls reunited Ouimette with Jesse Marsch, with whom they spent half a season together for expansion side Montreal. Ouimette's main action came when one of the two starters were unavailable.
Player Stats:
11 Appearances
7 Games Started
715 Minutes Played
0 Goals
0 Assists
Player Grade: C
Things Done Well:
Ouimette did what he could to stop the bleeding while Miazga was out on international duty. He is still a bit young (23), so he still has some time ahead to establish himself. His two best performances for the senior team were against Dallas (0-0) when Miazga was away for the U-20 World Cup and Toronto late in the season (3-0) when Miazga was called to the U-23 CONCACAF Olympic qualifying team. The Red Bulls were also 4-0-0 (W-L-D) when Ouimette entered as a sub to maintain their lead. Most of his best moments were while playing for NYRB II. He scored two late goals on Sept 26th against Pittsburgh to vault his team to victory.
Things Done Poorly:
As I just mentioned, there were a few bright spots for Ouimette. But there were also some dim ones. In the seven games he got the start, the team went 1-4-2 (W-L-D). Three points in seven games is just as bad as Chelsea this season (yes, I went there). Ouimette isn't as talented as Perrinelle or Miazga, so it makes sense Marsch has him as a backup to them.
I hope to see Ouimette back on the squad for the 2016 season. He has some developing to do, but should be able to make progress in the off season. He will most likely still back up the other two CBs (granted, they are still on the team too), but the Red Bulls will be adding CONCACAF Champions League to the calendar late in the season. They are going to need the depth.