New York Red Bulls sign Anthony Wallace

The New York Red Bulls have announced the signing of Anthony Wallace, an event the team has been anticipating for much of the last week.

Wallace takes the full-back-who-played-for-Colorado-Rapids'-2010-MLS-Cup-winning-team roster slot previously occupied by Kosuke Kimura. Wallace started at left back in that match, Kimura started on the right; Dax McCarty started for opponent FC Dallas; and former Red Bull Macoumba Kandji came off the bench to create the winning goal for the Rapids. (Incidentally, Wallace was himself a mid-season trade from Dallas to Colorado.)

The trophy was something of a career high point for Wallace, who won his first - and only - cap for the US Men's National Team in January 2011 (against Chile). It was all going to plan at that stage: US U-17, U-18, and U-20 caps (he went to the 2007 U-20 World Cup with the USA); MLS Cup winner; USMNT cap.

Unfortunately, injury intervened. Wallace managed just 23 league appearances for Colorado between 2010 and 2013. He spent 2014 with NASL's Tampa Bay Rowdies, where he was at least able to string together more league appearances (25) than he had managed in three seasons with the Rapids.

He was in training with the Red Bulls during preseason, and his name came up this week when the current confluence of injuries and call-ups left RBNY with just one left back option in the squad: Connor Lade.

The signing Wallace - who can play on the left side of defense and midfield - could be called a panic signing, or merely prudent depth and experience in a roster that has an unusual cluster of internationals at the left back position (first-choice Roy Miller is a regular for Costa Rica; presumed back-up, Kemar Lawrence is also frequently part of Jamaica's plans; occasional left back, Karl Ouimette has become something of a regular for Canada; even long-shot cover option Andrew Jean-Baptiste recently got some attention from the Haiti national team).

Either way, his significance to the team will become clear on Saturday. It is assumed Wallace is competing with Connor Lade for the start at left back, and the rush to sign the former player may have tipped coach Jesse Marsch's hand. Did he really spend the last week telling everyone he wanted to sign Anthony Wallace just to have the guy sit around when the team is shorthanded in his position?

The team says Wallace is in Columbus, so we'll find out very shortly.

Welcome, Anthony!