Categories
New York Red Bulls

Kaku makes preseason debut for New York Red Bulls

For the first time since his long-awaited signing as the New York Red Bulls Young Designated Player, Kaku saw game action on Saturday.

Alejandro Romero Gamarra, the 23-year-old attacking midfielder, made his preseason debut for the Red Bulls against Phoenix Rising FC of the USL at Kino Stadium in Tucson, Ariz.

Playing on a team that was largely comprised of Red Bulls II, the young Argentine started the match and impressed over the course of 57 minutes.

“To be honest, I felt really well, very comfortable with the guys and we had a very good game overall,” Kaku said after the match.

Kaku started behind the forwards, but floated around the midfield from wing to wing. Despite limited training sessions with his new club, Kaku looked particularly sharp in the opening 45 minutes. He covered ground quickly in the team’s patented press and did well to link play between the lines.

Kaku had a quality scoring chance just four minutes in, but he put a left-footed free kick from 26 yards out over the wall and into Phoenix Rising goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski. In the 16th minute, he played a well-weighted ball to Ben Mines for a scoring chance.

Two minutes later, Kaku forced Woszczynski to punch away a shot at the far post. Woszczynski also pushed his first-time shot over the bar in the 20th minute.

He was again denied by the veteran goalkeeper in the 38th minute on a low shot from distance that was parried away for a corner kick.

Two minutes later, Kaku took two touches to avoid a defender before unleashing a blast with his right foot that Woszczynski saved.

While his first game action since December and first in a Red Bulls uniform was positive, it remains to be seen when Kaku sees his first real action.

The Red Bulls will host CD Olimpia of Honduras in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 Thursday following a 1-1 draw in Costa Rica. If the Red Bulls advance, they would host either Club Tijuana or Motagua from March 6-8. Their MLS opener is March 10 against the Portland Timbers at Red Bull Arena.

“With this match, I am feeling a lot better and I hope to be I the best shape for the next match,” Kaku said. “I am very happy to be here and I thanked all the guys for it and I am hoping that I am in the coach’s plans for the next match and be able to make my debut at Red Bull Arena.”