For the fourth straight year, the Red Bulls did not pick a player in the MLS Re-Entry Draft. But once again, they lost players.
Striker Fabian Espindola, who was due to earn a massive bump in his salary if the Red Bulls had kept him, was taken with the No. 1 selection by archrival DC United.
Right back Brandon Barklage, who has dealt with frequent injuries, was picked by San Jose.
Former All-Star defender and former U.S. National Team member Heath Pearce wasn’t picked, and is now out of a contract. Pearce, who underwent season-ending surgery last year, is a free agent and can sign wherever he chooses.
The Red Bulls did avert one potential loss, one that might have been as damaging as any player. Valuable assistant coach Robin Fraser, a steady presence who in essence served as rookie head coach Mike Petke’s consigliere, had been a candidate for the vacant Real Salt Lake head coaching job. But that appears to be going to Jeff Cassar.
That job became open when Jason Kreis left Real Salt Lake for New York City FC, the expansion team that begins play in 2015.