As we reach the end of January, we’ve hit the halfway point of the team’s first stint in Orlando, and there’s been no shortage of news coming out of New York Red Bulls camp: transfers, signings, scrimmages, you name it. As always, NewYorkRedBulls.com has you covered with a comprehensive recap of all the happenings down in Orlando.
Miazga Moves On
The biggest news of the weekend—of course—has been Matt Miazga, and his subsequent move to the defending English Premier League Champions, Chelsea FC. The 20-year-old enjoyed a meteoric rise through the ranks in 2015, starting the year as the fourth choice centerback before becoming one of the most coveted American prospects by season’s end.
A Clifton, N.J. native, Miazga joined the Red Bulls academy when he was 13 years old and signed his first professional contract with New York in 2013. After becoming a first team regular in 2015, Miazga developed into one of the most feared defenders in MLS, earning caps at the U-20, U-23 and senior national team level for the United States. Sporting Director Ali Curtis made every effort to ensure Miazga’s return, but the defender elected to move on to the English giants.
“We would have loved for him to continue wearing a Red Bulls kit for this year and beyond,” Curtis said during Saturday’s conference call. “We tried to secure him to a multi-year deal that would have made him a Designated Player, but ultimately, he declined.
“He wanted to play in Europe and he wanted to play in Europe right now.”
As Miazga moves on, some of his now former teammates and coaches took a moment to wish him well on his newest adventure. Meanwhile, Matt himself penned a letter recapping his time with the New York Red Bulls as he thanked the fans, coaches and teammates.
Lade Extends, Reynish Re-signs
One homegrown has moved on, but another has been locked in to a new contract as defender Connor Lade extended with the team. Goalkeeper Kyle Reynish is also returning to the club after signing a new deal in the offseason. With these moves, the push for continuity continues as more pieces from the 2015 Shield Champions have been secured for the upcoming season.
- TICKETS: Red Bulls Home Opener vs. Toronto FC, Sunday March 6
“I’m so excited to have signed an extension with my hometown team,” Lade said. “We have built something very special here over the past year and there is nothing I want more than to stay here and win an MLS Cup. To be able to play for the team I grew up watching is an honor and a privilege for me and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.”
One Up, One Down
The Red Bulls took part in an old-fashioned doubleheader on Sunday morning, with a split squad taking on the NASL’s Jacksonville Armada and Montverde Academy. The team went 1-1 on the day, notching a 5-2 win over the Armada before falling to Montverde 1-0.
Marsch and his staff got a look at three iterations of his Red Bulls side after making a line change in the Armada match, while keeping things largely the same for the entirety of the Montverde clash.
With the three friendlies now in the rearview, the first week of training camp is in the books, giving Marsch and his staff some newfound perspective.
“It’s been great,” Marsch said. “We’ve gotten a lot accomplished in the first week. The fitness is ahead of where they were last week and we continue to build on that.”
Robles vs. Iceland
Goalkeeper Luis Robles made a winning return to U.S. National Team on Sunday afternoon, playing all 90 minutes of the side’s 3-2 win over Iceland. Robles had to wait over five years for another chance to represent his country, last earning a cap in July of 2009.
The reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year will return to action with the Red Bulls during the club’s second preseason stint in Florida.
