Backe wants all five trialists on NYRB roster

New York Red Bulls have five trialists in pre-season camp in Mexico and head coach Hans Backe admits he wants them all.

Former Red Bulls academy player Jose Angulo, ex-FC New York forward Jhonny Arteaga, the club’s first ever Homegrown signing Giorgi Chirgadze, former Providence midfielder Ryan Maduro and ex-DC United midfielder Brandon Barklage are all on trial and Backe says he would love to be able to fit them all in to his 2012 playing roster.

“I would like to sign all five, but it depends on the salary cap,’’ said Backe.

“All the trialists have impressed me, done very well. I’ve asked them to join us for the Arizona camp, the second one. They seemed to be happy with that; then we’ll see with our salary cap if we can sign them all or if we need to pick some of them.

“Angulo is a very technical, balanced player with a phenomenal touch on the ball, a guy always asking for the ball. Arteaga is a more direct striker, but always in the right position when he can smell finishing. He can play wide and has decent pace,’’ added Backe. “All these guys are physically in very good shape. When I look at combine, (this is a higher level).

“Chirgadze is a homegrown player we’re giving another chance and he’s done well. He’s left-footed and has something special with him. He’s strong and not afraid of anything. Maduro is more of a creative central midfielder who could play box to box or wide, technically very good.

“Barklage, you can see he has MLS. experience and reminds me of Dane Richards a little bit. Good pace, good 1 v. 1, good in the air. Over all, I’m quite surprised with the level these guys have shown so far. We know they can play.”

 
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