Four Red Bull Roster Cuts Include Some Surprises

By: Dave Martinez | February 12th, 2010

ceperoisgq The Red Bulls have officially announced the release of players Danny Cepero, Carlos Johnson, Walter Garcia and Matthew Mbuta, The news was received with a bit of shock amongst avid Red Bull fans.

Danny Cepero turned in two brilliant performances in the playoffs that brought the Red Bulls organization to a place it had never been to before; the MLS Cup Final. And he did it as an emergency starter when Jon Conway and his alleged use of muscle enhancers sent the teams season for a loop. The New York native became a bit of a fan favorite for his heroics throughout his RB tenure.

The biggest surprise in this move by the organization is the hole it creates at goalkeeper. It does go a long way in answering the question as to why Bill Gaudette and Greg Sutton were at La Manga training with the team though. Gaudette has been a solid starter and a charismatic fan favorite in his time with the Puerto Rican Islanders of the former USL, though his time in MLS has left much to be desired. Greg Sutton has been a spotty starter for TFC since their inception.

Carlos Johnson was supposed to bookend a mighty Costa Rican tandem on both defensive wings. Instead, the former Osorio signing has found himself out of favor with the club. Naturally, this comes as a surprise as well, especially considering Roy Miller’s addition and his perceived secure position with the team. Perhaps the addition of Chris Albright should have sent up some red flags.

Walter Garcia’s RB claim to fame was playing in the only major blowout the Bulls enjoyed for the entirety of the 2009 season (The TFC blowout). That happened to be the only game he played with the team mind you. He will probably best be known as one of the fatal signings that helped destroy the love in team Agoos/Osorio. And Matthew Mbuta’s Red Bull career never seemed to have a beginning or an end, as he was in constant flux with the team.

What do you feel about the cuts? Necessary moves to create vital international slots? Shortsighted? Share your thoughts below.

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Larry

There are places in Jersey City near the Grove Street PATH for the JC'ers of the world.
Jason

got the scots club down the block in Kearny...not really walkable though
Larry

What bar is going to be the spot to hit before and after NYRB games. Newark, Harrison...nothing really too close to the arena....
Larry

1. Cepero, everyone keeps living in the past. It was two games, and in Salt Lake, RBNY were super fortunate to win that game. Cepero needs to go down one level and get playing time and experience. He's not MLS level GK yet.

2. What was so special about the other guys.
Chris

Ben...MLS isn't the rest of the world. We don't have reserves. We have a first team, and then a bunch of people that never play.
Ben

Even if as a reserve, they should have kept Cepero
kofix5

Cepero never recorded a regular season shutout.
He showed that he deserves his position as a back up keeper when he stepped in in 2008 for Conway but thats about it. He played well. But his game is flawed. His decision making and vision are still maturing. His positioning is not good yet. I recognized early on that if you shoot on him from either top corner of the 18, the balls makes it into the net. I'm not talking about a screamer or bending shot, I'm talking about a rolling, medium speed shot along the ground. For example, see the 1st goal in the MLS Cup. He gets caught out of position, he reaches out, and dives, and the ball rolls right past his outstretched fingertips. He was scored on this way several times throughout 2009.
Its nice he was the darling of many Red Bulls fans but he's not really ready to start next year. And this team needs to clean house.
i also won't miss the DB's in the stands calling for him to 'score a goal' or 'shoot it'
Good Luck to him. I mean that sincerely.
cb

I'm sad to see Danny get cut, but suspected it when they trialed 3 keepers in Spain. I hope Gaudette gets the slot over Sutton.

I'm relieved to see Garcia and Johnson get the boot as they didn't adjust well to MLS. I wonder if Kolehmainen or Jonson will get the nod in Johnson's place.

I feel like Mbuta deserved another shot, but if this opens the door for Agudelo, I'd be interested.

I see the next wave of waives including Ubi, Oebster, and Chirgadze.
NoLayupRule

Im really surprised to see Cepero go. He was my pick to start in goal.

Red Card Johnson always seemed to be a solid player IMO but our defense sucked so much its hard to say if it was just compared to the garbage around him that he looked good.

Honestly with the exception of Angel and one or two others Id take a clean start from last years team
mike.

This really sucks. Cepero was my boy... :(
Austin

Oka Nikolov is supposedly coming in the summer.....he is starter when he arrives

i think thats why there is a change at GK
Karlomabo

I don't get it. Cepero really? The other 3 I understand .. Cepero is a good keeper. I looks like we don't learn the lesson. Now he is going to another team to be a star. Good luck Danny. And thanks for everything.
RobStyles

It appears that the Norwegians do not want any scent whatsoever of the Osorio/Agoos regime floating around RB Arena. Cannot blame them. Honestly, I'm a lil surprised about Johnson and even moreso about Mbuta. I figured Mbuta had a big upside for a minimal salary. Out with the old, and in with the new...hopefully new includes Henry and/or Raul.
Ryan

Let's face it, Conway and Cepero were both backup goalkeepers at best. Conway was OK but was being hugely overpaid so he had to go. Cepero will always have a special place in fans hearts for scoring a goal in his debut, but beyond that he was pretty erratic. Good luck to him but I'm sure we can get someone better.
Chic Charnley

Always sad to see players leave/cut. Best of luck to them all.
Laurie

Danny Cepero? Noooooooo! I loved Danny Cepero!

(Must admit that I expected him to start looking comfortable out there faster than he did.)