New York Red Bulls II announce 2016 end of year roster moves

On Tuesday, November 21st, New York Red Bulls II announced its first set of roster moves following its championship 2016 USL season.

The announcement sees seven players from the championship team leaving the club. Second round draft pick, Zach Carroll, and Malian youth international, Zoumana Simpara, were released after not having their club options picked up. Carroll, a centerback, featured for the team on a USL contract and as a loanee from the first team - as well as being named to the All-USL Second Team. Simpara featured mostly as a substitute for the team, but at only 18 it was imagined he was a long-term project.

Stefano Bonomo, Dan Metzger, Devon Williams, Konrad Plewa and Rafael Diaz are all out of contract and as such are no longer with the team. All five were carry-overs from the 2015 squad.

Bonomo scored five goals for the team as a striker, but was also briefly tested as a center back. After a hot start arriving to the team late last year after a European adventure, Bonomo largely failed to progress and step up to the next level. Metzger and Williams created a dynamic midfield duo, which along with Tyler Adams, drove NYRBII forward to the regular season and playoff titles. With the midfield excess on the first team, it was unlikely either would break through to the MLS squad, despite their talent. Konrad Plewa leaves the team as its all-time minutes and appearances leader. He was ever present in the 2015 lineup but was more of bit part player this year. After suffering a stroke midyear, Plewa returned triumphantly to score the penalty to put NYRBII into the USL Cup finals. Rafa Diaz was a two-year backup for NYRBII, but he shined whenever given the opportunity.

Retained by the team are Vincent Bezecourt, Junior Flemmings, David Najem, Aaron Long, Tim Schmoll and Florian Valot. Long's future appears to lie with the first team, but the other five should provide a solid foundation for New York Red Bulls II to make another run at the USL Cup.