NY Red Bulls sign 3 Key pieces to 2013 Success.

NY Red Bulls Midfielder Eric Alexander

(Harrison, NJ) Today the New York Red Bulls signed three players that were integral in the securing of the Supporters Shield. Eric Alexander, Kosuke Kimura, and Péguy Luyindula were all signed by the club today. Although I was sad to see Brandon Barklage go, these signings are the first steps to maintaining cohesion and locking down key positions within the Red Bulls roster.
      I am excited to see Alexander back for at least another year. Whether he was weaving through midfield or pushed out wide, I felt that he was one of the most consistent and reliable players on the pitch. I felt that even coming off the bench, Alexander always had a chance to impact the game.
      Kimura had a quiet yet effective season. I think Kosuke will find more playing time on the back line providing that he does not have any more head injury concerns going forward. There were plenty of times during the 2013 season that the Red Bulls needed someone to step up in the back line and Kimura did not disappoint.
      Péguy Luyindula was quite the enigma in 2013. Although his play was inspired and showed promise early in the season, finishing was a major problem for Luyindula. Let's face it, you could have sworn there was a brick wall blocking the net every time Péguy was playing forward. Mike Petke solved the puzzle in a big way by dropping Luyindula back to midfield as an attacking link late in the year. This made an immediate difference in the ability to counter-attack and with the play of McCarty, Cahill, Alexander, Sam, and Steele, turned the New York Red Bulls midfield into one of the best in the league.
      Retaining Alexander, Kimura, and Luyindula are solid moves, as was declining the option on David Carney, but the Red Bulls still have some pressing issues heading into the 2014 season. Fabian Espindola and Roy Miller are no where near playing up to potential. I understand the injury bug got to Miller this season, but I always have the feeling that he is one rash challenge or poor decision away from costing the club a game. As for Espindola, he simply takes too many touches. Flashes of brilliance aside, Bradley Wright-Phillips and Andre Akpan are more than capable of taking Espindola's spot up front or on the bench. It seemed that Espindola was lost in the shuffle toward the end of the season and I would much rather see what Wright-Phillips can do.