Cahill may face Spurs on NY debut
Tim Cahill could make his first appearance for the New York Red Bulls as early as next week in a friendly against English Premier League club Tottenham.
The former Everton midfielder wasted no time switching into the Red Bulls’ colours on Friday, joining a light training session just hours after the US Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise confirmed his signing.
It’s believed Everton agreed to a fee of around STG1million ($A1.52 million) for the Australian star, who had been at the club for eight years.
“I am very happy to start a new chapter of my career with the New York Red Bulls,” Cahill said on the club’s website.
“I am impressed with what the Red Bulls are trying to accomplish in MLS and within American soccer and I am looking forward to this new challenge. I will do everything I can to help bring New York its first MLS Cup.”
Having passed a medical earlier in the week, Cahill had his first formal meeting with his new teammates and head coach Hans Backe during practice on Friday.
He’s expected to be officially introduced to the media on Monday, the day before the Red Bulls are scheduled to play Spurs in an exhibition match at New Jersey’s Red Bull Arena.
Backe described Cahill’s signing as “massive” and said the new No.17 brought a lot of versatility to a squad that already boasts French star Thierry Henry and former Barcelona defender Rafa Marquez.
“He is a very, very committed player,” Backe told MLSsoccer.com.
“Passionate for the game, hard worker, scores goals, very experienced, very hungry.”
Asked where Cahill will start in the Red Bulls’ line-up if he gets international clearance to play against the Spurs, Backe left his options open.
“He can play central midfield, he can play central striker, so probably (one of) those positions,” he said.
The Red Bulls currently sit on top of the League’s Eastern Conference ladder, one competition point ahead of Sporting Kansas City.
They are the only original MLS franchise to have not won a league title, with their best result being in 2008 when they reached the MLS final but lost.
© AAP 2013The Crowd Says (5) | Page 1 of Comments
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July 28th 2012 @ 11:46am
pete4 said | July 28th 2012 @ 11:46am | Report comment
I think it would be great if WSW could organise to get the NYRB over here in Sydney for an exhibition match by the end of the year
July 30th 2012 @ 9:38pm
Cappuccino said | July 30th 2012 @ 9:38pm | Report comment
Agreed. In fact, it would be great for any A-League club to get the Red Bulls over here- a sure sell-out not only with Tim but also Henry and Marquez.
July 29th 2012 @ 11:17am
nordster said | July 29th 2012 @ 11:17am | Report comment
Well its a technicality but do mls even have a ‘league’ title
July 30th 2012 @ 11:47am
Arsenalkid700 said | July 30th 2012 @ 11:47am | Report comment
MLS Supporters Shield is the technical League Title.
July 30th 2012 @ 8:14pm
nordster said | July 30th 2012 @ 8:14pm | Report comment
Nice one the supporters know where its at!