Fansided

New York Red Bulls terminate Markus Holgersson’s contract

By Jo-Ryan Salazar

Nov 6, 2013; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York Red Bulls defender Markus Holgersson (5) looks on after losing to the Houston Dynamo in Leg 2 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals at Red Bull Arena. Houston Dynamo won the game 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2013; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York Red Bulls defender Markus Holgersson (5) looks on after losing to the Houston Dynamo in Leg 2 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals at Red Bull Arena. Houston Dynamo won the game 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 6, 2013; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York Red Bulls defender Markus Holgersson (5) looks on after losing to the Houston Dynamo in Leg 2 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals at Red Bull Arena. Houston Dynamo won the game 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2013; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York Red Bulls defender Markus Holgersson (5) looks on after losing to the Houston Dynamo in Leg 2 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals at Red Bull Arena. Houston Dynamo won the game 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Markus Holgersson, New York hardly knew ye. Due to salary cap issues, Mike Petke’s New York Red Bulls terminated Holgersson’s contract this week, severing ties for the 2014 season, according to Empire of Soccer.

“After speaking with Markus following the conclusion of our season and taking into account our salary cap situation, we mutually decided that it would be in everyone’s interest for us to part ways,” Red Bulls Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh said. “Markus indicated to us that he is ready to take on the next stage of his career and we want to thank him for his service to the New York Red Bulls.

“Markus, an excellent professional, has been an important part of our club and defense for the past two seasons, helping us win the Supporters’ Shield in 2013, and we are very sad to lose him. We want to wish him the best of luck.”

Earlier in the season, Holgersson and Petke clashed heads over the style of play expected from the Swedish international. Holgersson played more of a finesse game, while Petke preferred a more physical, intimidating style of play. Eventually, Holgersson adjusted to the demands and fared well, and it turned out to be a game of numbers in the end.

Holgersson would be pushed aside by the veteran leadership of Ibrahim Sekagya, the reliability of Jamison Olave and the youthful potential of Matt Miazga.

A number of players were called up to the USA Men’s National Team and USA U-20 Men’s National Team. Midfielders Eric Alexander and Dax McCarty got the nod to join the seniors, while Miazga, Santiago Castano, Amando Moreno, Alex Muyu, Adam Najem and Arun Basuljevic will be joining the U-20s ahead of preparations for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup inb New Zealand.

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (4): Tally Hall (Houston Dynamo), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (10): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Michael Harrington (Portland Timbers), Chris Klute (Colorado Rapids), Chance Myers (Sporting Kansas City), Shane O’Neill (Colorado Rapids), Seth Sinovic (Sporting Kansas City), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Eric Alexander (New York Red Bulls), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Luis Gil (Real Salt Lake), Dax McCarty (New York Red Bulls), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS (4): Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (D.C. United), Mike Magee (Chicago Fire), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

U.S. UNDER-20 ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (4): Jeff Caldwell (N.C. Fusion; Todd, N.C.), Santiago Castaño (New York Red Bulls; Union City, N.J.), Ethan Horvath (Molde FK; Highlands Ranch, Colo.), Zack Steffen (Maryland, Philadelphia Union Academy; Downington, Pa.)
DEFENDERS (10): Jordan Allen (Real Salt Lake; Rochester, N.Y.), Michael Amick (UCLA; Sunnyvale, Calif.), Sulaiman Dainkeh (Maryland, D.C. United Academy; Reston, Va.), Conor Donovan (Capital Area RailHawks Academy; Fuquay Varina, N.C.), Trevor Haberkorn (Furman; Roanoke, Texas), Grant Lillard (Chicago Fire Academy; Hinsdale, Ill.), Jalen Markey (North Carolina, Seattle Sounders Academy; Renton, Wash.), Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls; Clifton, N.J.), Shaquell Moore (IMG Academy; Powder Springs, Ga.), John Requejo Jr. (Real So Cal; Carpinteria, Calif.)
MIDFIELDERS (14): Corey Baird (Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy; Escondido, Calif.), Arun Basuljevic (New York Red Bulls Academy; Mahopac, N.Y.), Marco Delgado (Chivas USA; Glendora, Calif.), Luis Felipe (Cruzeiro Esporte Clube; Ouro Branco, Minas Gerais), Ian Harkes (Wake Forest, D.C. United Academy; Fairfax, Va.), Jacori Hayes (Wake Forest; Bowie, Md.), Brian Iloski (UCLA, LA Galaxy Academy; Escondido, Calif.), Eric Lickert (SC Freiburg; Glotteral, Germany), Saalih Muhammad (Dinamo GNK), Adam Najem (Akron, New York Red Bulls Academy; Clifton, N.J.), Cristian Roldan (Washington; Pico Rivera, Calif.), Herbert Robinson (Club Santos Laguna; Monclova, Coahuila), Joel Sonora (Boca Juniors; Buenos Aires, Argentina), Omar Thompson (Unattached; Miami, Fla.)
FORWARDS (8): Andrew Brody (Louisville, Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy; Orlando, Fla.), Benji Lopez (Real Salt Lake; San Diego, Calif.), Ricardo Lopez-Espin (Shattuck-St Mary’s; Miami, Fla.), Amando Moreno (New York Red Bulls; Morganville, N.J.), Alex Muyl (Georgetown, New York Red Bulls Academy; New York, N.Y.), Zach Pfeffer (Philadelphia Union; Dresher, Pa.), Rubio Rubin (Unattached; Beaverton, Ore.), Travis Wannemuehler (NC State; Evansville, Ind.)

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