So were you taken aback by Van Den Berghs sudden availability? Barring severe
memory loss from excessive partying, you should have been. Van Den Bergh was a key cog in the 2008
MLS Cup run that saw the New York Red Bulls get within a whisper of their first piece of
championship hardware.
SBI reports former Red Bull winger Dave Van Den Bergh's days as a member of the
Dallas Fire FC Dallas are coming to an abrupt end.
With coach Schellas Hyndman continuing to nurture a youth movement, and perhaps
to make room for an emerging Brek Shea, Van Den Bergh has been made out to be the
odd man.
As Red Bull fans continue to wait on a possible coach for the 2010 season, all has stood quiet
on the Eastern front transfer wise. Player movements have been largely quiet, excluding the
inevitable losses expected with an expansion draft. The old management has had the reigns, and
seemingly continues to, as the new management get's its footing beneath them.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The BIG EAST and Red Bull New York will join forces with a
three-year partnership for the Conference's men's soccer championship to be held at the new
state-of-the-art Red Bull Arena through the 2012 tournament, it was announced today. The
soccer-specific facility in Harrison, N.
The last 24 hours have produced a plethora of news linking Arsenal great Tony Adams as the heir
apparent to the Red Bulls managerial role:
The Daily Express
MirrorFootball.Co.Uk
This Is Local London
This comes in the wake of Erik Soler's installation as the Red Bulls Sporting
Director and General Manager, where the new sheriff in town declared no inexperienced coaches shall
be considered for the job.
Once again, the stat freaks at Climbing the Ladder have given us a nice little
bit of fodder to chase our tails with. If you watched the MLS Cup, you would have noticed that,
included in their analysis was the usage of an old hockey statistic the plus/minus rating. It is a
fairly basic stat which measures the goals scored for during your minutes, contrasts them with your
goals against, and gives you a score.
Since Mr. Erik Soler is now the Sporting Director and General Manager Supreme,
but is admittedly ignorant to the rules and nature of MLS, I figured I could start the good man off
with a 5 point orientation plan before the start of the season. I mean, if it isn't me, then whom?
Jeff Agoos?
SECAUCUS, NJ (Dec. 7, 2009) – Red Bull New York today announced the
appointment of Erik Solér as its General Manager and Sporting Director. The appointment was made
by Dietmar Beiersdorfer, Head of Red Bull Global Soccer. Solér will be responsible for the overall
management of the New York Red Bulls, including its sporting division – comprised of the First
Team, the Red Bulls Academy, its developmental system and scouting.
Today, local media are gathering at the Red Bulls main offices to finally meet the long linked
general manager of the club, the diminutive but savvy Mr. Erik Soler. Where will I
be? Most likely reporting from my desk . . . damn, I need to get my name on that VIP list!
Anyhow, this weekend has produced a plethora of stories, rumors and speculation which I would
love to dive right into.
Sorry for the lack of posts the last few days been having issues with my laptop. Getting myself
an early X-Mas gift is in order for sure.
I am doing Sunday duties on the main page, so check me out riffing on Ronaldo, Maradona and
asking YOU who will win the World Cup this coming year!
Otherwise, I'll be back tomorrow with a few off season rumor shtuffs to throw at ya, including
some Figo rumblings among other things.
Here is a resume to consider:
One-time coach of Portsmouth (where he managed 10 points in 16 league games). A Multiple winner
as a player with Arsenal. And most importantly, a good friend of Thierry
Henry.
Is Tony Adams the man you see capable of steering this near ship wreck
organization in the right direction?
Nothing is secure in MLS for a young and aspiring player. Just ask Nick
Zimmerman, one of the few bright spots in what has been a nightmare season for the Red
Bulls. Nick has found himself forced to switch sides through this seasons expansion draft, finding
a new home with Petr Nowak and his Philadelphia Union.
What is the meaning of this headline?! Well, I am here to make your life easier:
"Erik Solér (49) blir ny general manager og sportsdirektør i MLS-klubben New York Red
Bulls."
Translation?
"Erik Soler loves pimping out like Tom Cruise, and says he is the General
Manager and OG (original gangsta) Sports Director at the severely clubbed and beated down MLS team,
New York Red Bulls"
And who is this man that is looking for a "klubben" this season?
Thanks to Climbing the Ladder for the vid.
Here is another reason Red Bull needs to bring back Mbuta. The soft spoken
Cameroonian midfielder took time to visit Red Bulls Ghana Academy to speak to the youngsters there.
Hopefully, his message of hard work and perseverance helps these children on their future life
paths. (RBR has more on the video a this link)
Check out this bit of inspiration, brought to you by Matthew Mbuta:
So, is this just a little something to generate a vibe around the club, or are the Red Bulls
serious here?
Reports from Spain and stateside claim that the Red Bulls have thrown their name into the ring
of fire that is the Rafa Marquez negotiations. For weeks, Marquez and Barcelona
have been unable to secure a contract, though word has it they will be signed away by Monday.
Good Morning Black Friday Shoppers!
For those clammoring for a good holiday deal, check this out:
The Bulls are offering 4-Game Holiday packs, which will include tickets to the opening game at
Red Bull Arena and your choice of three other games throughout the season!
It has been a long, rough year, but one thing I can always be thankful for is my little niche in
the blogosphere, right here on TheOffside. Thank you to everyone who takes time from their day to
visit here, sharing your opinions and insights. You make this alot of fun, and I appreciate the
support everyday.
Petr Nowak takes Nick Zimmerman . . . and announces him as a forward. But that
is okay. Mistakes happen. Just ask the Red Bulls, who may have commited one themselves, losing a
potential prospect to what will eventually be a hated rival.
Zimmerman was a clear target in the minds of Red Bull fans.
Yes, everyone is waiting to find out if we can add yet another name to the Red Bulls Exodus
list. But until then . . . .
I have BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!
. . . . There is a guy mowing the lawn at Red Bull Arena as we speak!
Oh the fun a slow work day and the Red Bull Arena Webcam can provide.
The Red Bulls have released their protected list ahead of this Wednesday's expansion draft. The
following will not be calling the City of Brotherly Love home:
Juan Pablo Angel
Danleigh Borman
Bouna Coundoul
Kevin Goldthwaite
Jeremy Hall
Carlos Johnson
Macoumba Kandji
Carlos Mendes
Ernst Obster
Dane Richards
Seth Stammler
I look at the list and wonder; does this have Jeff Agoos and Richie Williams
finger prints all over it?
Congratulations Cleetus, from the East side of town!
After 120 minutes of play, a few things are expected on the pitch from players competing at a
high level; fatigue, sweat, determination and things of that nature. But watching the a bouncing
ball amongst thye walking wounded out there (and I am not just speaking of David
Beckham), I have one message to the rest of the league:
Now you know the hell that is artificial turf.
After Warzycha benched the teams biggest threat for the teams biggest match
(what a dope!), it should have sent warning shots in the minds of everyone associated with MLS.
Former All Star, MLS Cup Winner, Boca Jrs. Legend and league MVP Guillermo Barros
Schelotto has just been asked to take a sizable pay cut by the Columbus Crew, to the tune
of $400k.
The team continues to undergo it's offseason makeover. Leo Krupnik, formerly of
Maccabi Haifa, has just signed on with Maccabi Netanya for an undisclosed sum. He appeared in only
three games, starting in two.
If you are keeping score at home, that is now 9 players that started 2009 with the Bulls, who
now find themselves elsewhere.
Big Apple Soccer, home of everything New York Soccer, reports speaking to "El Professor"
Juan Carlos Osorio about his move to Once Caldas. His reply?
"The offer is a very good offer," he said. "The club is a very good club. I am considering the
offer. However, I would like to stay in the United States.
If you were betting on Once Caldas of the Colombian Mustang division to be the first suckers to
hire the preeminent Professor of the 4-5-1, grab yourself a boobie prize kid.
Juan Carlos Osorio is a head coach once more. He takes on a squad that is
currently 8th in their table, with 7 wins, 7 draws and 4 ties, accumulating 23 goals for and 14
against in that time frame.
The two times Curt Onalfo and Richie Williams were together in a playing
capacity, they managed to take home the 1989 NCAA College Soccer National Championship at the
University of Virginia and ten years later, the 1999 MLS Cup with DC United. They know each other,
and have been proven winners stateside in the past.
You have heard stories about how this economic downturn has effected people from all areas of
life, from the financial district to the local McDonalds. But what about the caffeine addicts out
there? Well, for those who feel coffee just isn't enough, but paying two dollars a can for Red Bull
is too much, they have turned to the next best thing: a crime spree.
The Metro Reverse Curse lives.
What is the Reverse Curse? It is a temporary suspension of all footballing ability while wearing
a Metro Bull kit that is magically cured once a player switches kits to another club. There are so
many examples of this, but sticking to recent memory (and not in any order of importance at all);
Hunter Freeman leaves Red Bull and has become a regular starter in Norway,
Gabriel Cichero leaves Red Bull and becomes a valuable piece of their National
teams youth movement, Mike Magee has proven to be a key offensive cog in the
Galaxy's overall make up leading the team in assists, Diego Jimenez continues to
excel in Mexico, and notched two goals upon arriving back to his country after his RB
departure.
Are we at all sure that Youri hasn't been hired by Red Bull already?
The French legend has been planting seeds in France, playing Red Bull ambassador in the hopes of
attracting his countrymen stateside through interviews like the one he had with football-ravageur,
a French footy outlet.
He has some great insights on the successes and short comings of David Beckham, the measure of
MLS against other leagues and the possibility of including more French players to the league
structure.
It has been a long and sometimes unforgiving decade for the Bulls. They played in the highest of
highs (an MLS Cup Appearance) and the lowest of the lows (2009), suffered extreme anguish over
injustice (Diallo, Petke is still gunning for you), and extreme ecstasy
(Mathis - those 5 goals were a thing of beauty).
Dieter, Dietmar . . . close enough.
Dietmar Beiersdorfer, the new sporting director for worldwide Red Bull soccer operations,
has descended upon New York and has brought with him a cloud of speculation. Is he here to hire a
new GM? Perhaps weigh in on the coaching situation?
Here is a little tidbit that just made its way to my desk: Luke Sassano, Nick Zimmerman
and Jeremy Hall are all taking in the sights and sounds of Austria, as the trio begin a
2-3 week training stint with the Salzburg Motherland Crew.
Hopefully, they don't get the Dane Richards treatment.
Sharks in the water, RBNY.
DC United have just announced the formal resignation of head coach Tom Soehn
from the organization. Soehn accumulated a respectable 36-30-24 MLS record, with a total of
55-48-31 in all competitions. So what cost him? Disappointing results in the face of high
expectations.
Phil Brown has been talking a storm about Jozy's
"Twittergate" this week, including gems like this:
Asked if Altidore had put the twit in Twitter, an unimpressed Brown replied: "I'd have put an
'a' in it."
Now that is the kind of comment Maradona would be proud of!
