Posted on July 19, 2012
By Michael Lewis
TropiGol.com Editor
HARRSION, N.J. — New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Bill Gaudette hopes he has the opportunity to defend against the best national team in the world when Puerto Rico hosts Euro 2012 champion and 2010 World Cup winner Spain on Aug. 15.
The Red Bulls, who acquired the former St. John’s standout goalkeeper last Friday, will have final word on whether Gaudette goes. But it is an official FIFA international playing date and how many times does any non-European team play a side of Spain’s high caliber?
Let’s face it. Spain’s game in Puerto Rico will dominate the Caribbean island’s news next month.
“They already have called me,” Gaudette said after the Red Bulls secured a 1-0 win over the Chicago Fire on Wednesday, his first shutout with the team. “They have asked me a million times. I’m obviously a centerpiece of that time down there, which is nice. So I don’t need the official call-ups like that. They just give me the plane tickets. I have to clear it with this club. Obviously, LA knew and was happy to let me go down there. Depending on the situation here, we’ll see what happens.”
The Red Bulls obtained Gaudette from the LA Galaxy last week.
“It would be an unbelievable experience just to get on the field with some of those players,” he said. “The quality of Spain is just as you can see from the Euros is unmatched throughout the world. If I can go and play in that game, I would be thrilled. My main concern is with this jersey and a big game on Saturday.”
Gaudette knew who issues his paychecks.
“Whatever this club needs, this is my primary focus,” he said. “This is my job. This is my No. 1 focus.”
The Red Bulls host the Philadelphia Union on Saturday and Gaudette is expected to start his third game within seven days.
Categories: Caribbean, Puerto Rico
Tags: Bill Gaudette, Chicago Fire, LA Galaxy, Major League Soccer, New York Red Bulls, Puerto National Team, St. John's University
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