Red Bulls make underrated move in acquiring Michael Amir Murillo via loan
Reuters Media Express
Obviously, not every move a club makes jumps off the page as a needle mover. But sometimes the low-key, unheralded signings can have a sizable impact a couple months into the season or down the stretch.
The New York Red Bulls‘ recent addition of right back Michael Amir Murillo via loan reeks of such a scenario.
Deportes RPC first broke news of the loan earlier this month, which was finally confirmed by the club on Saturday. Within hours of the announcement, Murillo was practicing with his new teammates — and making coach Jesse Marsch gush.
“Michael fit right in,” Marsch told NewYorkRedBulls.com’s Andrew Vazzano. “I thought he had a great day and held his own. He showed all the qualities that we thought he had.
“We like guys that come here and are up for the challenge and want to be put in difficult situations. When we evaluated him as a person, we think he’s like that.”
Felipe and Murillo talking through today’s first drill. #RBNY pic.twitter.com/90g2K8RshZ
— Andrew Vazzano ⚽️ (@AVRBNY) February 18, 2017
Murillo is unlikely to immediately unseat projected starting right back Sal Zizzo, but could play his way into consistent minutes if given the opportunity. Even if he doesn’t, the 21-year-old Panamanian international with nine caps to his name will have both the time and the opportunity to grow; the Red Bulls tacked on an option to buy at the end of the one-year loan deal, according to Deportes RPC.
While Murillo won’t blow you away with regular dynamic runs up the flank, he’s an extremely sound, efficient footballer. His technical ability surpasses that of most “bench” defenders. The Harrison newcomer boasts a delicate first touch, and knows how to quickly peek his head up to pick out a midfielder or forward checking back to the ball. More often than not, his passes arrive at their desired destinations: the feet of his teammates.
Signed as a right back, Murillo is also quite capable of filling in at center back or defensive midfield, where he often played at his previous stop in Panama’s top flight with San Francisco FC. With Marsch intent on lining up in a 4-2-2-2 this season, Murillo seems like the ideal Swiss Army knife to have available on the bench.
As far as weaknesses, Murillo lacks elite recovery speed and probably won’t dart into the final third too often. He also needs to fill out his lean 6-foot frame in order to handle the size and physicality of MLS attackers.
After a weird offseason highlighted by shakeup in the club’s front office and the loss of one of its best players and captain in Dax McCarty, Red Bulls supporters can find at least a glimmer of solace in Murillo, an excellent young depth signing with upside.
