The New York Red Bulls offseason has started sooner than the team wanted it to, and on Monday Red Bulls Sporting Director Ali Curtis announced a bevy of moves. Curtis announced that the team would pick up captain and fan favorite Dax McCarty’s contract option, and that manager Jesse Marsch will be back next season. Additionally, Curtis announced that fullback Roy Miller and forward Dane Richards would not be back next season, per Empire of Soccer.

Fan favorite to return

In 2011 the Red Bulls traded Dwayne De Rosario to rival DC United for Dax McCarty. Since then McCarty has been a fan favorite and with the Red Bulls he has compiled 11 goals and 22 assists in the regular season. This postseason he scored the first goal in the Red Bulls series win over DC United, a header off a Sacha Kljestan free kick. The Red Bulls picking up his option makes sense to most Red Bulls fans.

Marsch stays after winning plaudits

The New York Red Bulls fired manager Mike Petke after last season and hired Marsch amid much turmoil with the fans. Prior to being hired by the Red Bulls, Marsch was the manager of the Montreal Impact in their inaugural season, where he went 12-16-6. He then worked for the MLS in their offices for a few years. This season was the most successful in Red Bulls history as they went 23-11-7, won the Supporters' Shield, a franchise record for most wins in a season and most wins at home in a season. As well as earning a CONCACAF Champions League berth next season, they Red Bulls boast two players in the MLS Best XI. This season Marsch won the MLS Coach of the Year award for his efforts.

Miller to move on

Although the news about McCarty and Marsch will be well met by fans, some may be disappointed by the other news. In 2010 Roy Miller signed with the Red Bulls and was the longest tenured Red Bull player. Miller barely featured in the Red Bulls lineup due to large amounts of injury issues and the fact that he was “Wally Pipped” by Kemar Lawrence this season, but the Red Bulls did, win two Supporter’s Shields and made the playoffs every year that he was a member of the team. According to Dave Martinez of Empire of Soccer Miller could move to another team in MLS due to the fact that he is still under contract to the league.

Richards second stint with team is over

Richards was a Red Bulls 2nd round pick in the 2007 MLS Super Draft and played for the team from 2007 to 2012 before moving to Vancouver, England, and Norway before a return this season to the Red Bulls. In July the Red Bulls loaned Richards to the Indy Eleven of the NASL where he scored 3 goals in 15 appearances. Richards while still a member of the 2015 Red Bulls played in 12 games and started once. 

UPDATE: MEARA'S BACK

It was announced a few days ago and neglected to include in this article that goalkeeper Ryan Meara's loan with cross town rivals New York City FC has ended and he has returned to the Red Bulls. The Westchester born, Fordham grad Meara was a 2012 MLS Super Draft pick of the Red Bulls. He played well in his rookie season and eventually got hurt fell out of favor after the emmergence of Luis Robles in his place. In December of 2014 the Red Bulls annouced would send Meara to NYCFC on a season long loan for their inagural season. He would play one game this season for New York City Football Club.

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Max ONeill
My name Is Max ONeill, I am currently a Senior at York Prep in NYC, I have written for multiple years for my own blog, Max2theMax. I love NYC Sports including the Yankees, Knicks, Rangers, and Giants. Ithaca College Bound!!