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When Zach Carroll was first waived by the New York Red Bulls on May 7th, it seemed too soon to be saying goodbye to a player who less than a month prior had declared, "I'd love to stay in New York my whole career."
Carroll was originally drafted by the Red Bulls with the 38th pick of the 2016 MLS Super Draft. Coming out of Michigan State, with a quick stop at UVA on the way, Carroll presented New York with a towering defender ready to be molded into a first team player for the future. Unfortunately, numerous injuries across the backline left New York scrambling for immediate center defensive reinforcements. Though Carroll regularly saw time with NYRBII, he never got close to cracking the first team's lineup despite the injuries. As Aurelien Collin came in and Zubar and Baah returned from injury Carroll became expendable.
Yet, despite being cut by the team in early May, Zach Carroll stayed around the organization as he went through the waiver process. He continued to train team with the outlook of an NYRBII deal upon coming through the other side of waivers. And that's where we are today.
Zach Carroll is now a USL player with NYRBII having signed a contract with the team on May 20th. According to NYRBII head coach John Wolyneic, "It was difficult to make a decision to let Zach go from the first team, but we're excited to hold onto a player that we feel has a very bright future."
New York Red Bulls II appears to be a team loaded with centerbacks, with Cheikh M'Baye, Konrad Plewa, Aaron Long, Tim Schmoll, Mason Deeds, potentially Karl Ouimette, and now Zach Carroll in the position, but that should not phase the Grand Blanc native. While on loan from the first team, Carroll has already played five times, totaling 379 minutes, for NYRBII. Carroll has room to grow before he is ready for MLS, but show he is a more than capable USL player.
Carroll is the 13th player on a USL contract on NYRBII's roster and the second signing this week. NYRBII plays Saturday at 3pm against FC Montreal.