The New York Red Bulls faithful were perplexed during the first game of the season. With Sporting Kansas City ahead 2-1 and the Red Bulls chasing an equalizing goal, manager Gerhard Struber subbed in Wikelman Carmona, perhaps the least heralded of the dozen offseason signings made by the club.
It was expected by most observers that the 18-year-old Venezuelan was going to spend his first season in New York with the reserve team in the USL Championship, as the attacking midfielder had never played a single game as a professional before that home opener.