Both New York Red Bull prospects Keith Cardona and Santiago Castano traveled to Austria to compete for a spot with Red Bull Salzburg’s feeder side, RB Liefering.

In the end, it was the Academy product beating out New York’s third string keeper for the spot.

Sources tell EOS Cardona has joined Red Bull Liefering on a two-year deal, becoming their third and final goalkeeper on the roster. The news was confirmed by Liefering via Twitter Wednesday afternoon.



The 6’4″ Cardona (20) is a Ridgewood New Jersey native, a Maryland Terrapins product and a prospect in the U.S. National Team youth pool. He is rated by Red Bull Salzburg as a potential first team prospect, leading to his trial last month.

Both Cardona and Castano were vying for the final keeper spot with Liefering. Castano has had no first team experience since joining the New York Red Bulls in 2013, but has been there go-to netminder in reserve league play. Despite his inability to garner first team minutes, he is still a rated commodity by the club.

However, sources tell EOS that the New York Red Bulls would have been willing to let Castano leave for Liefering on a free transfer if the club chose to take him.

Even with that enticing bait, Liefering chose to move forward with Cardona instead.

For Cardona, the move to Liefering is a major development. His limited trial with the club has impressed coach Peter Zeidler to the point where he will be given the opportunity to push for meaningful minutes this season. That said, Michael Hofler is the current number one and Fabian Bredlow, a German U-19 international, has just joined the club as well and will be challenging Cardona for the spot at number two.

Despite being a feeder club for Salzburg, Liefering have license to earn promotion into the Austrian first division. The team begins its 2014-15 season in two weeks, opening against TSV Hartburg.