The New York Red Bulls have been largely unhappy with the inconsistent work of goalkeepers Greg Sutton and Bouna Coundoul throughout the 2011 MLS season.Today, the Red Bulls took a step toward trying to upgrade that position, signing 38-year-old Frank Rost, was has played in the German Budesliga for nearly 20 years. Rost most recently started for Hamburg SV.
"Frank is a very experienced goalkeeper who will provide a strong presence in-between the posts for our club during our quest for a MLS title," said Red Bulls General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler. "We are thrilled that he has decided to join us in the middle of our campaign and look forward to his contributions for the remainder of the season."
Rost started his professional career in 1992 with Werder Bremen, where he spent 10 years, first with the reserve team before moving to the senior squad. During his time there, the 6-foot-4 goalkeeper earned 147 senior team appearances. In 2002, Rost moved to Schalke 04, winning a starting spot and playing in 130 matches.
Rost will count as the third Designated Player in the New York Red Bulls current roster.
He was most recently with Hamburger SV, becoming a fixture in the lineup and making 149 appearances. Rost has played in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa Cup, playing in 89 matches in the latter - a Germany record. Rost was part of two Bundesliga runner up squads in 1995 and 2005. This past season, Rost featured in 30 games for Hamburger.
The Red Bulls are 6-4-10, second in the MLS Eastern Conference. When they recently sent Dwayne De Rosario to D.C. United in exchange for Dax McCarty, clearing salary cap space, it was widely speculated that New York might be looking to add a goalkeeper.
New York's next game is Saturday on the road against Chivas USA (10:30 p.m. ET, MSG). No word yet on whether Rost will be available for selection for that game, or who will be dropped from the roster to make room for him.