Red Bulls' Preseason Trialists Part 1

The Red Bulls released their preseason roster earlier this week. There are a few new (and old), unsigned players in camp and it's possible that the ones who don't make the senior team will be signed to the USL Pro team.

"We already knew all this stuff a week ago! Why did you wait so long to post? And why is this going to be in multiple parts? This feels like click bait."

Now it's click bait. Adorable click bait who's a very good dog and looks like a hairy version of Wilford Brimley.

Anyway, let's take a look at the trialists.

Colin Heffron

Heffron is an undrafted midfielder from Dartmouth. His senior year he scored 3 goals and tallied an assist, which was good enough for 2nd team All-Ivy League. He was named All-Ivy League following his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons.

His highlight film is set to "The Man" by Aloe Blacc, so he's setting the bar pretty high for himself.

Anderson Gabriel Cajano

Cajano is a 21 year old midfielder from Red Bull Brasil/Brazil. He was the captain of the Red Bull Brasil U-17 team. He trained with New York in September for ten days and asked to come back.

"It was a very good experience to train with Henry and the team from New York. I had difficulty adapting at first, but then it became very calm."

He plays as a meia or playmaker, so we're just going to assume he's an attacking mid. Salzburg was heavily interested in him following a successful showing in the 2010 Next Generation Cup. Cajano may be the first person in a new wave of "synergy" between New York and Red Bull Brasil. According to Red Bull Brasil's Sporting Director, Thiago Scuro, this exchange is the first of many.

"The opportunity that Gabriel had in recent days is very special. We know of the dreams and ambitions of these young people and more important than having the connection with the teams of Red Bulls is to consolidate this exchange through these experiences. We are working with Gabriel to succeed in this challenge and believe it won't be the first athlete from Brazil in New York."

Rafael Diaz

Diaz is a goalkeeper who spent last season on Orlando City SC's (USL Pro) roster, but did not play any matches and was released following the 2014 season. He is from Rockaway, N.J., attended Morris Hills High School, and played his club soccer for PDA (Player Development Academy). He attended St. John's University and is the school's all time leader in shutouts.

The 6'0" keeper attended the MLS Combine in 2014 and this is what coaches had to say about him.

WHAT COACHES SAY: Has a lot of upside … Posses the physical tools, athletic ability, can make the big game changing saves... very coachable, has gotten better with commanding his box and reading the game but still needs to get better... top 2 or 3 goalkeeper in the nation... Very quick and alert, needs to improve more on crosses, can be pro needs more experience to be a #1 though, like his distribution ... PDL with Brooklyn Americans, and has trained with the Cosmos ... His athleticism and long lanky arms can pull in saves from all over the place ... He has to get physically stronger for MLS ... He's kind of wiry ... He certainly is a guy you can look at as a No. 3 GK in MLS and develop him.

Bryan Gallego

Gallego is a 21 year old defender from Kinnelon, N.J. He was the captain of the Red Bull Academy U-18, U-17, and U-16 teams. In December 2012, his Homegrown rights were traded to Portland and the second round draft pick that begat Ian Christianson. After signing with the Timbers in 2014, he was loaned to USL Pro clubs Sacramento Republic FC and Arizona United SC. He played in 6 matches for Arizona United and was released by Portland after the completion of his loan.

Gallego played at the University of Akron and the U-18 and U-20 United States national teams. Multiple publications named him as an All-American and he was a stalwart on the back line for all three of his collegiate seasons.

Anatole Abang

The striker from Cameroon joined training camp on Saturday.

Cameroonian Forward Anatole Abang has joined the club in camp. #preseason #RBNY pic.twitter.com/no2ZmwdvWy

— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) January 31, 2026

Abang has a massive footprint on the internet.

Jeff Crandall posted a brief description of Abang at NewYorkRedBulls.com.

- The now 18-year-old Abang played 10 matches for the Cameroonian U-17 national side in 2012 and is currently in the player pool for the U-20 team. At 6’1” and 160 lbs, Abang is strong in the air with decent one-v-one ability. While very young, Abang comes into a Red Bull camp that doesn't have a ton of strikers and Jesse Marsch and his staff will take the next few weeks to evaluate the Cameroonian youth international.

Expect part 2 of this at some point in the near future. I'm sure you're waiting on pins and needles.

Do you see any of these trialists making the MLS squad? Would you like to see any of these players on the USL Pro squad?