RBNY Rumors: Mike Sorber in as Assistant, Bid for Valentino Bossio Rejected, Marcelo Morales Saga & More

Happy Friday, Red Bull New York fans. As the team makes its way to Florida for the first official leg of the 2026 preseason, let's catch up on some rumors that surround the club at the moment:

Mike Sorber to join RBNY Staff as Assistant Coach

Former Metrostars and U.S. Men's National Team midfielder Mike Sorber is set to be hired by Red Bull New York as an assistant coach under new manager Michael Bradley, according to Michael Battista of New York Sports Nation and Hudson River Blue (that's a lot of Mikes in one sentence). The 54-year-old brings a wealth of coaching experience to Sports Illustrated Stadium, most of which has come as an assistant underneath Michael's father, the legendary Bob Bradley. 

After starting his coaching career as an assistant with his alma mater, the NCAA's Saint Louis Billikens in 2001, he later joined Bob's staff with the USMNT in 2007, working as an assistant alongside Jesse Marsch for four years including at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where Michael shined as a key midfielder for The Yanks. Bob and Sorber reunited when Bradley became the first manager in LAFC's history in 2017 and later again when he took the head coaching job at Toronto FC in 2022, while Michael was still captain of the club. Sorber was both an assistant and technical director with LA and Toronto. Sorber also worked as an assistant under Marsch in 2012 with the Montreal Impact (now CF Montreal) before Jesse took over the head coaching job at RBNY in 2015. 

As a player, Sorber began his professional career with Pumas in Mexico before bouncing between the Kansas City Wizards, MetroStars and Chicago Fire (under coach Bob) of MLS 1.0. His longest playing stint was with the Metro between 1997 and 1999, featuring in 74 MLS matches.

Most recently, Sorber was the head coach of St. Louis City S.C.'s U-16 MLS Next academy team.

RBNY Bid for San Lorenzo Midfielder Valentino Bossio Rejected

According to Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro news site Vamos Ciclón, Red Bull New York had a bid for 2007-born attacking midfielder Valentino Bossio rejected by the Buenos Aires club. Bossio, one of the top prospects from San Lorenzo's academy, has been with the Argentina Primera División side's reserve team since 2024 and is poised for a first-team breakthrough under manager Damián Ayude.

The deal reportedly would have been a loan, although it is unclear if Bossio would have been able to feature heavily with New York's first team with captain and star player Emil Forsberg taking up the bulk of minutes in the attacking midfield role. Bossio, who has been with San Lorenzo since the age of 6, is under contract with the club until December 2027.

This is the second report of an unsuccessful bid by New York this winter, with the club previously unable to reach an agreement with Brøndby IF for American goalkeeper Gavin Beavers.

Marcelo Morales Unlikely to Return to Universidad de Chile on Loan

RBNY left back Marcelo Morales has been the subject of various rumors suggesting a return to previous club Universidad de Chile throughout the 2026 offseason. However, the most recent bit of news suggests he may not be headed back to U de Chile on loan after all, with Felipe Cartagena of TNT Sports Chile reporting that the move is not preferred by new U de Chile manager Francisco Meneghini. 

Morales, 22, played in five total matches for RBNY's first team in 2025 and eight matches with RBNY II after joining the club at the beginning of last season. Coming into New York with an injury, the Chilean international was forced to be patient with his opportunities as he worked back to full fitness but showed his qualities in the few opportunities he was afforded, making him an interesting player to watch in 2026.

Gustavo Herrera Move Advancing, Eyes in Mauritania, & New Athletic Trainer?

According to Costa Rican journalist Yashin Quesada, RBNY's previously rumored move for Panamanian striker Gustavo Herrera has reached the advanced stages. 

According to a rumor out of Mauritania, RBNY are in talks to bring in youth national team and Nouakchott Academic Club player Abdullah Nasser Al-Din on a trial, most likely for a chance to play with RBNY II. There has never been a player from Mauritania signed to an MLS contract.

According to a job posting from the Professional Soccer Athletic Trainer Society, Red Bull New York is currently looking for a "Head Athletic Trainer to join their First Team." According to the job description, "This senior leadership role oversees injury prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and return-to-play strategy while working closely with medical, performance, and coaching staff to maximize player availability across the MLS season." Most recently, the Head Athletic Trainer position was filled by Tom Carroll.

Empire Soccer Report Episode 3 Is Out!

Episode 3 of Empire Soccer Report is live on all platforms! In the latest edition, James Birle is joined by Michael Battista of New York Sports Nation and Hudson River Blue to discuss the Red Bulls trading Daniel Edelman, the signing of Robert Voloder, the reported rejected bid for Gavin Beavers and more!