The New York Red Bulls may finally have an experienced goalkeeper if reports of them closing in on Luis Robles are accurate. The one-time capped United States national team goalkeeper has apparently been given permission by his 2. Bundesliga club, Karlsruher SC, to seek other opportunities.
Red Bulls Appear To Be Closing In On GK Luis Robles
Luis Robles, currently playing in the 2. Bundesliga, appears to be close to joining the Red Bulls.
Red Bulls put in discovery claim on GK Luis Robles, who has only 1 #usmnt cap, not eligible for allocation. No contract yet, joins club Fri
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) February 15, 2012
That Robles would not have to go through some sort of allocation method is a bit curious since there would be ample precedent that a similarly qualified player would have to. Lee Nguyen had just three national team caps to his name -- and from farther back than Robles' 2009 cap -- and had to go through lottery. One explanation could be that no other team wanted him, but that seems unlikely as he has yet to sign.
Assuming he does end up in New York, the Red Bulls would seem to have a perfectly capable goalkeeper. The 27-year-old has made 49 2. Bundesliga appearances since going to Germany in 2007 when he chose to head there instead of joining D.C. United, who had drafted him.
For more on the potential signing, be sure to check out Red Bulls blog Once a Metro.
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