ALL THE BULL: Signings, Releases and Shtuff

By: Dave Martinez | September 17th, 2008

You know what happens when you take two days out of your work week to take a small vacation? You get two times the work on your desk to hammer out when you get back. Thats what.

Here is whats happening in the world of the Bulls:

+ Details have emerged on the nature of the Macoumba Kandji transfer package. The transfer fee? A meager 25k. But the big money for both Kandji and the Silverbacks comes if the Bulls decide to sign their standout long term. In that case, 150k will be paid to the Silverbacks for his rights over two seasons. Not a bad deal for the 6′4″ Kandji if he is what we are expecting him to be.

+ Speaking of Giants, the older brother of Kevin Boss, Terry Boss, will now be sharing the same field (just on a different day is all). Terry Boss is a USL-2 keeper with an excellent track record this year. He will basically take the 4th keeper spot vacated by Fat Cat Thornton. 4 keepers on a limited roster seems to be alot, but the Bulls are enjoying depth this season in all positions and are therefore able to think forward to next seasons battle for starting keeper.

+ Rounding up this weeks signings is Matt Mbuta from Crystal Palace. Yea, the same Crystal Palace that ousted the Bulls from US Open competition (and I was really hoping for a Red Bulls v. Roger Federer final . . . ). Mbuta is an attacking winger from Cameroon. Speedy and with a good eye for the passing lane, Mbuta has been signed to a developmental deal (what a steal!). My thinking is that when Dane Richards is not in our lineup, we lose a speedy offensive threat to the wing. Mbuta can help cushion that loss or simply add another speedy threat as a late game sub that will continue the right sided attack in a similar manner, without losing too much of the threat. Though it took cutting local boy Chris Megaloudis to get the deal done, it may actually be the wisest move for the Bulls at this time.

+ For those keeping score, the Osorio signings are now at 10 for the season: Kandji, Rojas, Pietravallo, Cichero, Mbuta, Boyens, Thornton, Sainey Tourey, Diego Jimenez and Terry Boss. Living up to that offseason hype . . .

+ Now, as the team continues to add talent and evolve, something negative had to come along at some point. And it did. 2008 stand out Dave Van Den Bergh may miss as many as 4 games with a sports hernia. He has gone to Germany to get the situation taken care of.

+ And here is another player loss to lament: Johnny Exantus. Now who is Johnny X? For many of the Red Bulls hardcore faithful, Johnny X represented a home grown talent, who worked his way through the Red Bulls Academy with flying colors, and was destined for a roster spot with the senior squad.

But slow down. Johnny X has now signed on with the Belgium 4th Division side, Royal Racing Football Club Montegnée.

Now, it is possible that JX read the tea leaves and saw what the future held – Angel, Kandji, Magee, possibly Henry on the horizon – and where would that leave the young prospect? Playing time would be at a premium for years to come. In light of that, playing time with a Belgian 4th division side is better than nothing.

MLS needs to expand their salary cap and roster count. Losing a quality prospect like JX to the wilderness of Belgium does not speak well for the league.

+ And finally – rumblings of a postponed Colombus / Red Bulls encounter have been quelled. The remnants of Hurricane Ike may have hit hard, but it won’t prevent this fixture from taking place on time. So for those (like myself) who love watching Angel and Schelotto go at it like the old days, you will have your chance.