Report: Rutgers eyeing New York Red Bulls scout Carlos Acquista

The Knight Report advises that New York Red Bulls scout Carlos Acquista has recently interviewed for Rutgers’ vacancy at head coach of its men’s soccer program.

Acquista was appointed Assistant Scout at RBNY in February, 2018, landing at the club after a long stint as Adelphi University’s men’s soccer head coach. Adelphi has been good to RBNY over the years: current Red Bulls head coach, Chris Armas, is an Adelphi alum and former coach of the college’s women’s soccer team; former RBNY Academy Director Bob Montgomery coached the Adelphi men’s team (and Armas) before he joined the Red Bulls.

The Knight Report likes the idea of Rutgers interrupting RBNY’s Adelphi-makes-Red-Bull-takes program to bolster its own soccer program, pointing out that in recent years the Scarlet Knights have not made great use of the Red Bull Academy talent factory on their doorstep. Acquista would presumably have an insider’s view of the college-bound prospects in the RBNY pipeline.

If Rutgers does snatch Acquista from RBNY, the MLS club may find the raid was an inside job. Dilly Duka spent the back-end of 2017 with the Red Bulls, and played for RBNY-adjacent FC Motown (coached by another former RBNY player and current Academy scout, Sacir Hot).

About a week ago, Duka recommended Acquista to his alma mater. Rutgers appears to have listened.

(H/T @huanandonly)