MATT KREMKAU - EMPIRE OF SOCCER

by ANTHONY J. MERCED

Now ex-New York Red Bulls captain Dax McCarty’s exit from the club may have come as a shock to fans but it was even more of a shock to the player himself according to reports.

According to Ives Galarcep of Goal.com, a power struggle over the future of McCarty between head coach Jesse Marsch and Sporting Director Ali Curtis became a central issue in his eventual move to Chicago. Marsch was reportedly looking to move McCarty while Curtis was more inclined to use Felipe as their market trade-bait. Ultimately, the two did not see eye to eye, and now rumors continue to persist that Curtis will be out of a job with the Red Bulls — a rumor that EoS also continues to hear, but have been unable to verify. The Red Bulls denied any such move would occur in a statement last week.

While at training camp for the U.S. Men’s National Team, McCarty received a visit from head coach Jesse Marsch. That was when he was informed that he would be traded to Chicago. The move stunned McCarty who just two days prior had been married. Two days later, he was visited by his new head coach Veljko Paunovic and general manager Nelson Rodriguez to complete the introductions after a tumultuous two day period.

While the move certainly made sense for New York, it appears to have left a sour taste in the Dax McCarty’s mouth, as well as fans of the team. McCarty had proven to be more than just a piece of the team and could be seen as a integral part of their identity. However, in his farewell address, he noticeably omitted both Marsch and Curtis in his salutations, further signaling a potential issue between the player and the Red Bulls braintrust.

New York will go into 2017 with young players to fill the McCarty-sized gap. Most notably Sean Davis may be called upon to do what many feel he is more than capable of accomplishing next to Felipe Martins. In the wings is also USL standout Tyler Adams, who inches closer to MLS minutes with every passing game.