The New York Red Bulls announced Monday that they have traded midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy to the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for an international roster spot and a 2013 conditional draft pick. Ballouchy made 10 starts among his 16 appearances this season, scoring one goal with two assists.
"We want to thank Mehdi for his service to the Red Bulls," New York Red Bulls General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler said. "It was a difficult decision to let Mehdi go. However, trading him provides us additional roster and financial flexibility moving forward."
Each team is allowed eight international spots on the roster each season. However, spots can be traded and potentially spent on an international player who may rather play stateside than toil in the Europe's sub leagues.
Ballouchy was in the midst of his second full season with the Red Bulls. He was acquired from the Colorado Rapids on Sept. 14, 2010 in exchange for forward Macoumba Kandji. This season, Ballouchy made 16 appearances and 10 starts, recording one goal and two assists. He made 51 total appearances during his time in New York.
For more on the Red Bulls 2012 season, stay tuned to our StoryStream. See SB Nation'sOnce A Metro for more discussion of the Red Bulls.