Amobi Okugo loaned to NYRB II

Former Union defender/midfielder Amobi Okugo has been loaned from Major League Soccer to New York Red Bulls II of the USL. Since he was cut by Sporting Kansas City earlier this year, he remains on MLS's books. As of now, he has not signed with the New York Red Bulls proper.

After being drafted sixth-overall by the Philadelphia Union in 2010, Okugo developed as a versatile player with a pretty solid skill-set that allowed him to play either CDM or CB for his club. After logging more than 100 games with the Union, Okugo was traded to Orlando City SC in December of 2014. Okugo failed to make much of a splash for the Lions and was sold to Sporting Kansas City later that season. The former UCLA standout was waived by SKC in February.

Then things got interesting. With Nogueira and Edu out, a few people wondered if Okugo would end up back with his original club. Jim Curtin downplayed that by saying that Amobi was a great player but didn't fit in with the club's current scheme.

Red Bulls Coach Jesse Marsch heard about Okugo being passed up left and right and decided to bring in Okugo for a trial with the senior team prior to securing him a loan to the club's USL affiliate. The interesting thing however is that Marsch really has no depth at center back, having to rely on Karl Ouimette, Chris Duvall, and Ronald Zubar to fill in gaps left by Matt Miazga, Damien Perrinelle and Kamar Lawrence. The Red Bulls lost to Sporting Kansas City 2-0 last night and are currently sitting in ninth place in the Eastern Conference.

NYRB II play Bethlehem Steel FC tonight at 7:30 P.M. EST.