In Monday's print edition, I mention that Dan Cepero's new team, the New York Red Bulls, is shaping up to have four goalkeepers and probably wouldn't keep fewer than three. On paper, that makes Cepero's odds pretty good, but there's more to it than that.

Two of New York's goalkeepers, Ronald Waterreus and Jon Conway, are mortal locks to make the team. (Waterreus hasn't officially signed yet, but all indications are that he will.) Waterreus is an incoming transfer from Glasgow Rangers, Scotland's second-best team. Conway is the incumbent starter, and should compete with Waterreus for time in goal.

Now, here's where it gets interesting. The Red Bulls' number three man is Michael Behonick, an American University graduate who's played for three years in the A-League, the MLS equivalent of Triple-A. He would seem to be a better candidate to make the team than a rookie. But the wrinkle is that Cepero is eligible to get a development contract, while Behonick, at 26, is too old. Every MLS team is mandated to have a first-team squad of 18 players and a development roster of 10 players who are 24 or younger. The development rosters have non-guaranteed contracts and roster spots, which gives the team increased flexibility.

In New York's case, it might not want to waste 3 of its 18 first-team spots on goalkeepers. And since that third goalkeeper probably won't be playing meaningful minutes, it's probably not as important for him to have a lot of game experience. The financial flexibility aspect should play a much larger role in determining those last roster spots.

Of course, RBNY could decide to keep four goalkeepers (so much the better for Cepero!) or they could pick up another 'keeper somewhere along the line. But at the moment, purely from a team management perspective, it's in New York's interest to sign their new draft pick.

Then again, there's a reason current Red Bulls coach Bruce Arena didn't get his contract renewed at his last coaching stop, and it wasn't because of his sound management.

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