East Rutherford, N.J. -- Scratch forward Peter Philipakos from the Red Bulls' trial list.
Red Bulls coach and sporting director Bruce Arena and technical director Jeff Agoos said Wednesday the Glen Cove, L.I. native and the club have parted ways.
When he joined the Red Bulls in Bradenton, Fla. two weeks ago, Philipakos hadn't practiced or played since December. He was far from match fit and the Red Bulls could not afford to keep him on.
"I don't think he showed too well," Arena said after practice at the Giants Stadium bubble "He was pretty unfit and we just didn't have the time for him. He obviously is a player who has some potential there. We are not able to wait four to six weeks."
Agoos had similar sentiments, although there was a slight possibility Philipakos could return if he gets himself into shape and if his quest to join a European team doesn't work out.
"I think he was a little bit behind in terms of his fitness and his sharpness," Agoos said. "He had other options in Greece and we didn't want to hold him back.
"We felt it was better for us and him to move on at this point.
"We left the door open if nothing will work out in the summer."
To try out with the Red Bulls, Philipakos decided to forgo $26,000 in back wages owed by his former Greek Second Division club, Ethnikos. He started his tryout on Feb. 12.
Philipakos's top priority is "to get into a training routine and get back into top form, which he hasn't had since December," his brother and agent, Ted Philipakos said in an e-mail. "It's just that now he'll have to do it on his own, and wait for the summer.
"Peter accepts and understands their decision. It was two weeks of training that he needed and he'll build physically from there through the summer."
Three other trialists -- former Monmouth University defender Hugh MacDonald of Kearny, N.J., ex-Chicago Fire midfielder Craig Capano, a Hyde Park, N.Y. native, and forward Ansu Toure, who hails from Liberia -- will fly with the team to Los Angeles Friday. The Red Bulls will train and play four games in southern California through March 16.
Arena has been impressed with Toure, a left-sided attacker with a hard shot.
Arena said Toure, a left-sided player, was "promising. I wouldn't have thought he would last this long, but he has gotten better each week."
Michael Lewis welcomes comments and will answer your questions at email.
