With the soccer silly season under way, the Red Bulls mutually agreed to part ways with midfielder Jonny Steele, opening up space on the roster for possible post-World Cup additions with the transfer window open.
“Jonny had an offer from outside of Major League Soccer and we have agreed to his request to depart the club,’’ sporting director Andy Roxburgh said. “We appreciate Jonny’s contributions over the past two seasons and wish him the best of luck in the future.
“With the open roster spot and available salary cap space from his departure, we are looking to add to the squad in the coming weeks.”
The Red Bulls acquired Steele’s rights from Real Salt Lake for a conditional draft pick, and the move paid off for both sides. Steele signed on Feb. 20, 2013, and notched five goals and six assists in 33 games last year to help them earn the Supporters’ Shield.
This season, the 28-year-old had a goal and two assists in 15 games (six starts). Now Steele, a North Ireland international, moves on to an opportunity outside MLS.
Roxburgh said no decisions have been made on trialists Damien Perrinelle, Diego Souza Xavier and Martin Woods, who leave Friday. He added the Red Bulls can sign any of those players without clearing space to do so.
“Unfortunately we’ve only had one practice game (to see them), so it’s not a lot of time. We’re still talking to them,’’ Roxburgh said.
Roxburgh added the Red Bulls have talked with Thierry Henry about whether he’ll sign an extension to return next year, but no decisions were reached. He said Gerard Houllier is still in Brazil scouting prospective players, and Henry’s status won’t have any impact on whether they sign a Designated Player or what position he would play.
“I can’t really use words like likely or unlikely. What I can say is we’re looking; we have been for months,’’ Roxburgh said. “We’ve been scouting all over the place. That remains an option for us. We’re actively looking, but that doesn’t mean we’ll follow through on that because it would have to be appropriate. There are a couple guys we’d like, be very interested in, if they become available.
“[Henry’s] situation is not a discussion at the moment. We’re allowed to have three DPs, we have two at the moment, so whether we sign one or don’t sign one has nothing to do with Thierry’s situation.
“I’ve been talking to him, talking about his situation. But there’s nothing to report at the moment. The third DP is a possibility at the moment, but it needs to be the right guy at the right place and in the right area.’’