Red Bulls II preview: youth movement trickles down
Share this story
Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images
New York Red Bulls II missed the USL Championship playoffs for the first time in club history in 2020, a year that was more logistically challenging for the reserve team than ever before. The Montclair-based reserves received little reinforcement from the first team in the way of short-term loans due to COVID-19 bubble restrictions and additionally lost senior midfield anchor Kyle Zajec to an early season-ending injury.
This year’s squad will not only be better and more fluidly-built, but also feature some exciting new faces as the Red Bulls organization continues to get younger from top-to-bottom. The 2021 reserve team will likely feature at some point the two youngest players in the club’s history in 2006-born Bento Estrela and 2005-born Curtis Ofori. However, the goal is still getting the win for the team that won the 2016 USL senior title.
Who are the top five homegrown players in Red Bulls history?
Share this story
Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images
They might not be the most popular transactions in a fanbase known to call for big name stars, but with the signing of 14-year-old Bento Estrela last week, New York Red Bulls continued their tradition of bringing through academy talent into the first team professional level. Since 2008, Major League Soccer’s Homegrown Player Rule has attempted to help bridge the gap between local talent and the first division. The program that gives team’s first claim to players from their general area has had a hand in developing some of the best crop of current MLS talent, alongside some who have found success overseas, with New York being at the front of the trend.
14-year-old midfielder Bento Estrela becomes newest Red Bulls homegrown signing
Bloomfield native becomes youngest player in club history in preparation for season with reserve team
Share this story
Catalina Fragoso-USA TODAY Sports
On Tuesday morning New York Red Bulls announced the signing of 14-year-old Bento Estrela to a homegrown contract, making him the youngest player in the club’s history. Turning 15 tomorrow, he becomes the third-youngest homegrown signing in MLS history, behind Freddy Adu and current Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina.
✨ We ve signed 14-year-old @RedBullsAcademy product Bento Estrela as a Homegrown, pres. by @PremioFoods ✨
The signing comes as a major reward for Estrela’s two excellent years in youth play since he joined the academy. The Bloomfield, New Jersey native with parents from Portugal has turned heads on the stage of game action both against domestic and international opponents above his age level - he’s scored at both the unde
Bento Estrela es en el cuarto jugador más joven en fichar en la MLS as.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from as.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Red Bulls Round-Up: December 11, 2020
The club look towards the future with a possible pro contract for a 14-year-old while former Red Bulls bounce around Canada, Wales, and Finland in this week’s links
Share this story
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Once a Metro.
Last Tuesday, I made my daily venture to the bakery to pick up my well-balanced breakfast of muffins and pastries. I held the door open for a woman, smearing chocolate all over the handle. She didn’t notice, but paused and asked, “Are you the guy who writes the Red Bulls Round-Up?” I responded in the affirmative. She informed me that she reads it every week with her boyfriend. I thanked her, walked home, and ate my assortment of continental breakfast items in the dark while listening to The Cure.