Sports

Armando makes early impression on Red Bulls coach

The Red Bulls aren’t even through the first phase of preseason, but a few things have become clear. It’s early, but Spanish newcomer Armando is everything they expected, and they’re comfortable enough with their offseason acquisitions at fullback to send trialist Miguel Ibarra packing.

They Red Bulls lost, 2-0, in their first closed-door scrimmage against the University of South Florida, but this is more about fitness and installing coach Mike Petke’s concepts than getting a result. Petke is assessing his roster, which included 10 trialists — or at least, there were 10 until Ibarra was let go.

Fullback trialist Tyler Polak — a former New England Revolution draft pick, who spent last year on loan with USL Pro side Rochester — apparently did enough to get invited back to the next phase of camp when he team moves on from Orlando, Fla., to Jacksonville, Fla.

But between top draft pick Duvall and MLS veteran Richard Eckersley — acquired from Toronto FC for a 2017 draft pick — they felt comfortable enough to let Ibarra go. The 29-year-old Ibarra was born in New York, and has been capped by the Ecuadorian National Team and on the books at Deportivo Quito. But, while he brought experience to his trail, the Red Bulls seemed to like their in-house options.

“Ibarra, you can see some quality in him. We were very happy to see him in. He’s a good player; you can tell,’’ Petke said. “However, having said that it doesn’t look like we’re moving forward with him. With Eckersley’s signing, and the prospect of [Chris] Duvall — who hopefully in the next 30 days before the season starts will establish himself — it doesn’t [look like he’d need him].’’

Petke did commend academy midfield prospects Arun Basuljevic and Chris Lema, though he said both will benefit from a year of college seasoning. He praised rookie draft picks Duvall and Eric Stevenson, saying Duvall made Ibarra surplus and Stevenson “has a great eye for the game for his age and experience.’’

But his greatest praise was reserved for Armando, the 29-year-old centerback signed nominally to replace the departed Markus Holgersson. Armando captained Barcelona’s B team at times, and came with a reputation as a physical no-nonsense defender and a veteran leader — a reputation Petke claims is accurate.

“He’s absolutely what we were hoping for. It’s only been eight days, but so far he’s shown everything we were hoping he would do,’’ Petke said. “Does that mean he’ll be a starter or continue to play like that or be a big player in this league? Only time will tell.

“But all the reports about his character and leadership ability turned out to be true. He’s a hard player, and we’re very happy to have him right now. And if he does continue to show for the duration of his contract what he’s shown in this short period of time, it’ll be a good duration in MLS and for us.’’

Queens Park Rangers winger Shaun Wright-Phillips — who played for England in the 2010 World Cup — told Manchester City’s official gameday program he would love to join the Red Bulls so he can play alongside his younger brother, Bradley. Shaun Wright-Phillips is out of contract this summer, but Petke denied having had the player formally presented to him.

“I did read an article about him potentially being interesting in MLS. I had no idea about any statement about him wanting to play with us or with his brother. Nothing came across my desk,’’ Petke said.

“It’s such a testament to the league with these players, [Clint] Dempsey last year and Michael Bradley. It’s an attractive destination for big-time European players and U.S. National Team players returning. It doesn’t surprise me, but no one has talked with me. Nothing. Not at this moment.’’