Red Bulls Retain Four Players

Luis Robles (Photo by Catalina Fragoso – DoubleGSports)

The New York Red Bulls are making sure the major pieces from their terrific season of a year ago don’t go anywhere. On Monday the Red Bulls agreed to three contract extensions with Luis Robles, Mike Grella and Sal Zizzo and gave a new contract to Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Wright-Phillips, who did not have his option picked up at the end of the season by the club, still found a way to agree to a new contract. This is excellent news for the Red Bulls, who hope to get the most out of the 34-year-old who’s played many years on the biggest stage in the world in the Barclays Premier League.

As for Grella, Zizzo, and Robles, these were no-brainers to bring back to the club. All three were major contributors to one of the best Red Bull sides ever who will get a chance to leave their mark for years to come. Especially Robles, because when you have a top of the line goaltender like the Red Bulls do, you don’t let him leave under any circumstances. This deal means their last line of defense will stay rock solid.

Sporting Director Ali Curtis said: “We are happy to bring Shaun back and to sign three of our key core players to new multi-year contracts.”

Of course Curtis is happy. He should be after he put together a team in his first season that won the Supporters Shield and nearly made it to the MLS Cup Final. When you get that close and you can keep the core of the team who got you there, you can’t help but be excited about the future of the organization.