Heath Pearce is headed to the MLS Re-Entry Draft, as the 35-times capped US national team defender has not been retained by the New York Red Bulls.
Pearce arrived in New York in a 2012 trade that sent Juan Agudelo to Chivas USA and made 32 appearances before hip surgery shut him down this past summer. He made 29 starts, scoring twice and added two assists and made his third All-Star team in 2012.
Red Bulls sporting director Andy Roxburgh released a statement upon Pearce’s release:
“We want to thank Heath for his time at the club since joining in 2012,” Red Bulls Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh said in a statement. “Following our discussions with Heath after the conclusion of the 2013 season, it was decided to not offer him a new contract in order to allow both parties to go in our separate ways. We wish Heath the best of luck in the next stage of his career.”
Pearce commented via Instagram and Twitter with a collage of photos and this message:
The 2012 MLS Re-Entry Draft saw 15 players find a new home. Most notably of those players, Conor Casey went on to score 10 goals for Philadelphia.