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Red Bulls Continue Search For A Second Striker

Juan Pablo Angel may soon have a new strike partner, something he has needed for several months now.

Aug 22, 2008 10:32:57 PM

MLS: Juan Pablo Angel New York, Bryan Namoff D.C. United

New York Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio has spent the past month remaking the side’s backline and midfield. Now he’s on the verge of landing a new striker or two to complement All-star forward Juan Pablo Angel, who has been isolated up top one too many times.

“Hopefully we’ll have some good news next week," Osorio told the New York Post. “I wouldn’t say I’m confident, but I’m optimistic and hopeful. We have some resources to do it. Hopefully we can manage to complete a deal. I don’t know if we’re closer than two weeks ago; the status changes dramatically. I don’t know what’ll happen this weekend and what teams are willing to do.’’

Osorio has mined his South American connections in recent weeks to bring in talent like Venezuelan internationals Jorge Rojas and Gabriel Cichero. But now, mainly due to league rules, he is looking at domestic players. According to the Post report, Osorio has his eye on two MLSers, the Colorado Rapids’ Jamaican international Omar Cummings and FC Dallas's Dominic Oduro. Both are young, speedy, enjoying successful seasons, and could play off of Angel’s targetman tendencies.

A third option is 23-year-old Senegalese Macoumba Kandji, who currently plays with the USL ‘s Atlanta Silverbacks. He has 12 goals in 27 appearances since joining the club in 2007.

However, Atlanta, knowing they have a golden egg, have slapped a $200,000 price tag on Kandji, and so far the Red Bulls have bawked at the move.

“I believe Atlanta has stated very strongly what they want,’’ Osorio said. “At the moment we’re just trying to do what we’re supposed to, in this case we need to go through the league rules and that’s what we’re doing at the moment.’’

The better option is most likely Oduro, who seems to be the odd man out in at Pizza Hut Park. FCD recently acquired Jeff Cunningham and Abe Thompson is the preferred player off the bench at the moment, so the Ghanaian with five goals on the year could be available.

“He’s one of the players that we’re looking for. But again, we can only see things from far away. I don’t know what their situation is. I don’t what’s going on,’’ Osorio said. “I think they have different options as far as forwards; they probably want to keep everybody.’’

The Red Bulls -- and every team in MLS -- have until September 15 to make any moves.

-- Goal.com

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