Sports

Red Bulls’ Carlos Johnson day-to-day w/ subluxed shoulder; Brunner update

When Carlos Johnson left the Red Bulls’ final preseason friendly following a nasty tackle, it cast some dount over the defender’s status, especially because the club never announced the official signing of the Costa Rican National Teamer. But it appears he has avoided serious injury.

Johnson has a left elbow subluxation, with sure doesn’t feel good, but it also could easily have been much worse. He’s day-to-day, and I should have some more information _ on both his injury and his expected signing and availability status _ after the Red Bulls hold their annual media day Monday.

If I were a betting man _ and I’m not, other than the odd NCAA pool _ I’d go with their backline against Seattle Thursday looking like this:

Goldthwaite—Boyens–Petke———Hall Juan Carlos Osorio could also go with Carlos Mendes instead of Andrew Boyens at centerback; whoever is in form. I’m not expecting to see El Salvadoran Alfredo Pacheco signed and cleared with a P-1 in time for Thursday’s game, and between Johnson’s injury and rookie first-round pick Jeremy Hall’s rapid acclimation to right back, I expect to see the former Maryland Terp getting some serious run early in the season.

And the Red Bulls have reached an agreement on a deal that would send Eric Brunner’s MLS rights to Columbus for a draft pick or picks. So why no news? Note I said Brunner’s MLS rights, not Brunner himself. Apparently the Crew are now haggling with Miami _ where Brunner played last year _ trying to bring down the USL club’s asking price for a transfer fee, since the former Ohio State Buckeye is under contract.