Red Bulls' Osorio eyeing a forward

Of all the positions you would expect the Red Bulls to be trying to bolster, forward probably isn't high on the list.

It is for Red Bulls head coach Juan Carlos Osorio, who stated this week that he has an eye on a forward to sign. He wouldn't get into too many specifics about the target, saying only that the player is experienced.

"We want to have options and right now I think this player can be a good plan B for us," Osorio said. "With a player like Jozy (Altidore), who if he keeps improving will be a transfer target again this summer, we need to be able to protect ourself in case he leaves.

"As it stands, he will probably be missing time for the Olympics and with the national team this year so if we are able to add another quality forward I would try to do it."

Osorio stated that he still thinks the club could add the forward he has targeted along with the two European-based players he is trying to sign. Asked whether he thought the club could afford all three players, Osorio simply said, "I have my fingers crossed."

The Red Bulls currently have Altidore, Juan Pablo Angel, John Wolyniec, Francis Doe and Jerrod Laventure as forward options, meaning one of them could be on the way out of Osorio is able to land a veteran forward before the start of the season.

Comments

[Trex]

That sounds fine to me as long as it doesn't restrict us salary wise to adding players in more needed positions. I do think that Doe is a good enough plan B at forward for now though. But if Osorio can land those two Euro players he's eyeing in addition to this, then great.

By the way, any more peeps on who those players might be?

[groovester]

glad to see that they are not closing their eyes to the real possibility that Jozy will not be with them very much longer.

[Nutmegger]

Very smart JCO. I have been thinking for a while now that Jozy may not be able to contribute that much this year because he is going to be doing an awful lot of traveling for NATS duty. NM

[Amit]

Pehaps Woly will be sent to SJ. I smell partial allocation.

[wendel]

even with jozy leaving with national team duties we still have doe, woly, angel, laventure, and magee who can play the position. if hes gonna bring in another forward i really hope hes playing to trade one of the above players.

its not that i dont like depth but there are far more import concerns to address first; namely trying to find a left winger and a left fullback, not to mention a play maker if we are going to play 3-5-2 like JCO wants.

[Dannyc58]

Wonder if its that U-21 Columbian forward that was discussed earlier in the year, I forget his name...

[MJ]

Celtic FC website says Zurawski to Greece, not Crew...

[Tony in Quakeland]

Amit:

Why Woly to SJ? Is this your idea or something that has been suggested?

[Andrew]

Hey Ives, quick question...

I assume the Crew deal for Zurawski dead now that the transfer window is closed but theres still rumors of them trying to come an agreement. whats the deal? is it even possible for the crew to sign him now that the window's closed?

[Smith]

Are the two Euro-based players both midfielders or a midfielder & a defender?

[Joamiq]

Oh boy. Shouldn't we prioritize the positions where we don't have anyone over the ones where we have players who might leave?

[Fire Fan]

You guys can have Wanchope, I heard he's good.

[Moneyball]

isn't Agustin Delgado coming off suspensions soon?

[Mike]

Wanchope retired.

[Gerald]

Andrew the window is not closed to players coming to the MLS. Angel joined Red Bulls in April

[Kim]

How about a list of names people think he might be considering???

[Eugene]

Wasn't this the whole reason people thought that the team would pull up either Johnny Exantus or Walter Hines from their youth academy?

Seems like with one of those promising guys plus putting more effort into developing Laventure and Doe that they would be covered at forward.

Woly needs to be traded -- he's at the tail end of his career and not projected to start anymore. The guy is a warrior and I'd love to see him end his career in NY, but if he's not adding that much to the team anymore and we can get some value for him, we've got to just let him go.

I'd really like to see the Red Bulls decide to start two of Laventure, Doe, Magee, or Randi Patterson for the entire US Open Cup. Those guys need to get much more playing time and game experience if they're ever going to be consistent starters for NY.

[corey]

Get rid of Reyna, find a central midfielder that can actually stay healthy, contribute to the attack, control the game and contribute for 90 minutes. 2002 Reyna could have, not the Reyna we have. As much as i want Benny Feilhaber to stay in Europe, he'd be a good second DP.