Sports

Report: Osorio unsure about returning to RBNY

By BRIAN LEWIS

If you thought reaching MLS Cup was going to ensure a quiet, harmonious offseason for Red Bull New York, think again. A week after returning from their loss in the finals, multiple Spanish-language outlets are reporting that Juan Carlos Osorio could jump ship, with Deportivo Cali a possible destination.

GolTV had already claimed he was drawing interest from two teams in Colombia _ where he is from, and was vacationing _ and another in Mexicio. I’ll hear what Osorio has to say first-hand Tuesday, but in an interview with GolUSA, when asked why he hadn’t already signed on for next season, he said he had reservations in essence because he wasn’t sure how interested the organization was in building the team.

“I am not completely sure with continuing as Red Bulls Coach,” Osorio was quoted as saying. “I reiterate that the club wants myself and Juan Pablo Angel to continue, but there isn’t much interest in reinforcing the team and the truth is that I don’t want to risk putting myself in the position of suffering huge goal deficits (“goleadas”) in the championships and sub championships of CONCACAF. This is a firm and determining factor in my decision.”

Power play by Osorio? Misquoted? Or just lost in translation? I’ll have a better idea Tuesday, But one thing is true; finals or not, this team DOES need an overhaul. Clearly winning the Western Conference title _ their first playoff crown of any sort in the club’s 13-year history _ was a great accomplishment for a shorthanded team already hamstrung by paying Designated Player money for a DP who wasn’t playing. But if Osorio sees this roster as a starting point and Red Bull sees it as close to the end product, there’s likely to be a difference of opinion.

“With the little we have (talent wise), we surpassed expectations. There are technical limitations to our centrals; the lateral players don’t attack correctly and can’t put up a good cross,” Osorio was quoted as saying. “We had many difficulties with the length of the season due to the complicated system of the league, but in the final, we compensated with the right attitude and disposition from the players.”

Again, I’ll reserve any judgment until I hear something Tuesday from the horse’s mouth.