Red Bulls developmental goalkeeper Danny Cepero impressed observers all season who watched his exploits in training sessions. Now he is impressing coaches in Holland.
Cepero is training with Dutch powerhouse PSV Eindhoven. Recently-retired Red Bulls goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus helped arrange the training stint and the 6-foot-2 Cepero is taking full advantage of the opportunity.
Taking in last year's supplemental draft, Cepero served as the Red Bulls No. 3 goalkeeper behind Waterreus and Jon Conway. The 22-year-old University of Pennsylvania product is expected to be the No. 3 again now that the Red Bulls have added veteran Zach Thornton.
Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
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Arguez and now Cepero. Are US coaches missing something?
Posted by: Richard, UK | January 19, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Good for Danny!!! Let him challenge Conway for the starting position!
Posted by: Tim F. | January 19, 2008 at 01:38 PM
it's hard to take his potential too seriously if he's 22 and still expected to be behind Zach Thornton on a depth chart.
Posted by: Javier | January 19, 2008 at 06:39 PM
javier, see richards comment. yes, us coaches are missing a lot. why? they're not as good as european coaches, plain and simple. its the same reason demerit slipped through, too. it makes you wonder how many untapped players there are out there. thats why i love bradley looking at so many different players.
Posted by: reality bites | January 19, 2008 at 09:22 PM
Hmm, if Cepero is playing so well perhaps HE should be the 2nd keeper behind Conway instead of Thornton. Although I assume that none of their positions are set in stone.
Posted by: Eugene | January 19, 2008 at 09:50 PM
Best news this week next upsetting Sons of Ben at the draft yesterday.
Waterreus doing something like this for someone in New York shows a ton of character and I really hope that it gives Danny C. the chance to get seen while gaining an idea of the pace the game overseas.
If they give him more than a look and he gets signed, good for him. Shame on Arena and MLS for not having the time for him.
Posted by: Binks | January 19, 2008 at 09:55 PM
yeah, maybe arena should've skipped a few of those espn assignments to actually evaluate his squad. i hope he never gets another job. maybe he can be the kicker for the jets.
Posted by: Binks Loves Men | January 20, 2008 at 10:05 PM