Reporting for Metro (no relation), Kristian Dyer advises that veteran forwards Robbie Findley and Davide Somma are no longer in the New York Red Bulls preseason training camp, and neither has been offered a contract to play for RBNY in 2017.
Both players brought considerable experience to the first phase of RBNY's preseason, at a time when several of the team's veterans were absent from the squad. It would, however, have been surprising to learn either had been signed by the Red Bulls: neither player fits the club's current transfer market preference for youthful up-and-comers. Somma turns 32 in March, and had been assumed to have retired from professional soccer after a prolonged struggle with injury ended his attachment to Leeds United. Findley, 31, played for Rayo OKC in NASL last season. The former USA international returned to Real Salt Lake in 2013 after a stint with Nottingham Forest, but he appeared to have drifted out of the MLS picture once he turned 30.
They joined RBNY's preseason at a time when the team was lacking veterans in the squad, and forwards in particular. Their exit is not particularly surprising now that the Red Bulls' camp is more or less at full strength. But the first team is about to peel away from preseason and get started on CONCACAF Champions League, leaving RBNY needing a squad to fulfill its commitment to Desert Diamond Cup - the friendly tournament that clashes with the Red Bulls' CCL quarterfinal matches against Vancouver Whitecaps.
If Findley and Somma aren't coming back to help out the shorthanded Red Bulls for DDC, then (at least) a couple more fresh faces will be needed in training once RBNY's CCL squad heads back to Harrison after the friendly against NYC FC in Arizona on February 15.
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