Palace sign two on loan from MLS team Red Bull New York

Crystal Palace Baltimore have signed Matthew Mbuta and Nick Zimmerman on loan from Red Bull New York of Major League Soccer.  The loan period covers the upcoming home matches versus the Western Mass Pioneers on Friday May 15 and the Charlotte Eagles on Saturday May 16, but could be extended.  Both players are expected to start at least one of the two games.

23 year-old Matthew Mbuta signed with New York on September 15, 2008 from Crystal Palace Baltimore.  The Cameroonian midfielder was instrumental in Palace\'s 2-0 upset of the Red Bulls in the US Open Cup third round in July 2008, prompting interest from the MLS side.  Mbuta made his debut for New York on September 27, 2008 against Colorado, scoring for his new club just four minutes after stepping onto the field.  He made just one more appearance in 2008 before being sidelined by injury.  Stiff competition for midfield starting spots in the 2009 season has meant limited opportunities for playing time thus far, with Mbuta restricted to just one outing.  He did make several appearance for New York in pre-season this year, including one as a second half substitute against his former club in March in Annapolis, scoring the deciding goal.  Mbuta made a total of 32 appearances for Palace over two seasons, scoring seven times and being credited with nine assists.  In 2008 he was named to the USL Second Division All-League Second-Team and in 2007, to the USL Second Division All-League First-Team.  Prior to signing for Palace, Mbuta played one year with Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota FC (DPMM FC) of the Malaysian Super League and before that, two years with PWD de Bamenda of the Cameroonian First Division.  In 2004, he scored 12 goals (third in the league) in 20 appearances, and helped PWD qualify for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Cup. In the CAF Cup, PWD advanced to the quarterfinals, with Mbuta scoring five goals.  He has also represented Cameroon at the Under-23 level.

22 year-old Nick Zimmerman is an attacking midfielder/winger in his rookie season with the Red Bulls and has yet to make a first team appearance.  Zimmerman played four years at James Madison University in Virginia.  In 2008, he led the team with six goals and was named to the NSCAA All-Mid-Atlantic Region Third Team as team captain.  He was also named to the 2008 All-Colonial Athletic Association First team.  As a four year starter, Zimmerman played in 75 games (65 starts) scoring 13 goals and tallying 21 assists.  He has also played for the Mexican U-15 National Team.

Both matches this weekend take place at UMBC Stadium.