All The Bull – Andrew Boyens, Jozy Altidore and more

By: Dave Martinez | May 8th, 2008

Here are some tidbits on the Red Bulls for this week:

+ As many know, the Red Bulls have signed Andrew Boyens, a central defender with Lurch like height, formerly of Toronto FC, to shore up some depth for our back three. Now the early clammoring has been “Why Boyens? Where is Innes? Did we do enough to get Marmol? But Conde wants New York!” And as always, I am here to be the calming voice in the midst of all this ruckus.

Bottom line? If Coach Osorio is able to make people like Kevin Goldthwaite and Chris Leitch shine, where so many thought they were useless players just a season ago, he can turn around a young 6′4″ central defending beast. So before everyone takes their frustrations out on the young Kiwi, lets see him on the field first – then judge.

+ To make room for Boyens, Michael Palacio has been placed on the season ending injury list. Mike, we hardly knew you.

+ And there is even more shockwaves from one bench riding central defender! My boys at American Soccer Reader started a little bit of a storm yesterday. Eric Brunner has been asked to take a massive paycut by the Red Bulls organization – taking him from 36k (44k garunteed) to 17k at best – a developmental deal.

Sources reported Brunners (obvious) dissatisfaction with the decision, and AMR was told that our first rounder would be holding out of training, perhaps going back home to Ohio. BigAppleSoccer straightened out the situation – it turns out Brunner is “exploring all options.” Stating that the paycut would make it impossible to live in the area, Brunner continues to train with the team until a deal can be reached. Once he knows his footing, he will decide whether he will leave MLS all together or trudge on and suck it up.

+ In an insightful piece by “Ivesinho” Galarcep, Coach Osorio is basically saying that the travel, wear and tear of nearly a full year of playing football is starting to get to our young star Jozy Altidore. Mind you, not so much the playing, as the non stop traveling that can way a young kid down. They may actually sit him out for the big Galaxy game this Saturday night.

+ The third part of the Hunter Freeman interview will be out later tonite/early tommorrow morning. Sorry for the delay.

+ Finally, lets not forget that, just over the horizon is the two headed beast of BECKOVAN awaiting us in LA this weekend. Will Parke, Goldie and Leitch be able to hold them back? Can’t wait to find out . . .