Thierry Henry, Juan Pablo Angel, Claudio Reyna, Jozy Altidore and a host of
other stars from soccer and basketball, will be playing a charity 8 v 8 soccer game in
Chinatown at 5pm today! The best part about it? Its open to the public!
Run out of school kids.
The dawn of the La Liga season is upon us, and the Yellow Submarine of Villarreal is pulling up
to Osasuna's dock, with a couple of dents in its mighty fascade.
Midfielder Robert Pires is out, a heavy blow for the Spanish side. But to make
matters worse, their attacking duo of Rossi and Kahveci are also expected to be
sidelined.
Alot of things I didn't think were possible happened yesterday.
#1 - A park in the middle of New Yorks infamous Chinatown district was packed
on all ends by thousands of footie fanatics dying for a glimpse of some of their favorite
stars.
#2 - I got to see TiTi Henry, Robbie Fowler, Kalou, Reyna, Altidore,
Angel, Jason Kidd, Barbosa, Baron Davis and and the infamous Steve McManaman play some
footie from about a half foot distance.
From the opening whistle, the Red Bulls looked star struck and tentative. Trotting out a 4-5-1
formation (which you all know I LOVE), I already sensed it would be a long, long night. Within the
first few minutes, Danleigh Borman missed a clear shot into the back of the net on
a beautiful Van Den Bergh cross - and that confirmed my suspisions.
After what has seemed a millenia for Red Bull / Metrostar fans everywhere, the stadium formerly
known as Red Bull Park is finally being constructed! "Red Bull Arena"
(has a hell of a sound to it, dontcha think?) is now officially more than just a plot of land.
Here are some pictures of the first day of steel construction.
ANDREW ZARATE
The View From A Professional Lens . . . Click the Thumbnails to enlarge
TOMMY WONG
A View From ESC / Sams Army in 101 . . .
MY VIEW
Some midfield sights for you .
I picked up this t-shirt from the Puma store about a week ago - and I love it.
Its a Red Bulls Racing shirt. I grabbed this one up, and another one in a dark blue with the red
bull on it.
Red Bull NY should really talk to Puma about doing some stuff for them - they make the logo
rockable.
Just when you thought the league turned the corner on ridiculous rules and regulations, we get
this - MLS has blocked Red Bulls transfer of Atlanta Silverback standout, Kanji.
Grandfathering Carlos Ruiz is fine.
Grandfathering Landon Donovan? No problem Beckha .
ESPN Deportes recently opened up the floor to questioning with our ailing
forward Juan Pablo Angel.
For the Spanish speaking audience, click here
For the rest of you, here are some excerpts of note:
About Red Bulls and the USA. . . .
Why did you go to MLS?
1050 ESPN Radio in New York reports that Steel Construction is finally set to
begin for Red Bull Park! More on this development as I receive word . . .
Mike Magee started his career with the Metrostars with a ton of promise heaped
onto his shoulders. Before entering the 2003 MLS Super Draft, he tried his hand in Europe with many
top club teams. When the attention wasn't there, he turned his sights on MLS, and Metro saw an
opportunity to snatch a diamond in the rough.
An inspired Red Bulls squad made my staying up till 1am worth it, with a win against an out of
game shape, tired, uninspired Chivas Guadalajara team.
Red Bulls pwnd the game. Seriously, from start to finish, it was all Red Bull. It actually makes
you admire MLS teams like Houston or New England who are thrown into preseason tournaments and
still go head to head with the regions best.
First of all, congrats to Angel, who came off the bench in the second half for Blanco, and did
an excellent job, with a goal being waved off. Shame. It was a hell of a finish.
But the All Star Game isn't the only thing on Juanpies mind!
Angel recently had "productive" discussions with Colombian National Team Coach Jorge
Luis Pinto.
Beneath all the recent excitement from the fans about the new signings lies the tremors of Red
Bull players, quaking in their boots. Paycuts are on their way. Jobs may very well be lost. And
everyone knows it.
Its in this vain that I would like to present to your our first overhaul victim: Sinisa
Ubiparipovic.
Peep this:
Watch Red Bull Arena Built Right Before Your EYES!
Nothing succeeds like success, no?
img credit: wikimedia.com
Big Apple Soccer had the chance to speak to Juan Carlos Osorio about the status of rumored
signings.
+ The Bulls will not be signing Diego Jimenez, fullback, from Mexico, mainly because he is
completely unfamiliar with the three man backline
+ Osorio is hopeful they will be able to announce something by next week with Vinotinto veteran
and captain Jorge Rojas
+ Osorio also stated that the Bulls would be once again exploring past options at the left back
position.
This is priceless. Kudos go to the idiots (affectionately speaking of course) over at DCU's Big
Soccer boards, as well as Metro11's post on Metrofanatic.com. Priceless!
He was a laughing stock, awkward, enigmatic, inconsistent, a full of potential but far from
reaching it kind of a player. Now? He's got his own T-shirt.
Hat trick Buddle? Who saw this coming?
Another exciting game tonite at Giants Stadium in front of a boistorous crowd of nearly 47
thousand tonight, as Landon Donovan manages to find the back of the net near extra time to steal a
point away from the Bulls.
Down 1-0 early, the Bulls desperately fought back. Dave Van Den Bergh buried a back heal pass
from Jorge Rojas.
So how is the progress after seven days? The Red Bulls are keeping their fans abreast of
situations with Red Bull Arena by sending periodic e-mailed press releases on the progress. So why
not share the info with those who aren't in the loop? Enjoy.
RED BULL NEW YORK PRESS RELEASE
HARRISON, NJ (August 26, 2008) – Red Bull New York begins today providing regular updates
on the progress of Red Bull Arena Built by Makita.
Two come from behind goals to tie the game, one goal for the lead, and the home result? Zero
points. Ouch.
Last year, Bruce Arena was highly criticized for his inability to field a
consistent squad week in and week out. Coach Osorio is beginning to get an earful
for the same.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the FIFA 09 release party, Matt
Mbuta, the newly acquired right wing prospect for the Red Bulls, watched the gaming action
on a huge 104 inch projection screen while sipping a glass of what seemed to be ginger ale. "I
don't play video games.
Red Bulls Reader gives word that Vinotinto great Jorge Rojas and the Argentine
destroyer, Juan Pietravallo, will be eligible for some solid minutes against Beckham and
his Galaxy squad. This is excellent news for the team, which has struggled to secure its midfield
play since Reyna went down earlier in the season, and hasn't been able to find the
creativity to put the ball in the back of the net either.
- La Prensa Honduras says he has passed the test - and George Welcome will inevitabley
play in Major League Soccer (I know this hasnt been reported this side of the Mexican
border, but its coming straight from the horses mouth here).
Now, the question remains, for which team?
I encourage everyone to check out our writer Steve over at Jozy Altidores player blog here on
theOffside.
He will be tracking our Jersey Boys progress through the Olympics and Villarreal. And I am sure
this will be a bookmark on my laptop.
Click the pic to check out the link.
As if the economic stimulus package wasn't enough to encourage the nation to put a little extra
dough into the countries money stream, Wall Street has decided to bring in the big guns - The Red
Bulls will be ringing the opening bell for NASDAQ today!
Agoos and Osorio will be on hand, along with Van Den Bergh,
Stammler and about 20 other Bulls.
Isnt it just Red Bulls luck that the day Leo Messi is given the green light to
rejoin his club team, it would be on the day that he is 1000000 miles from New York City? Of course
. . .
Regardless, here we are, mere hours from the showdown.
In the meanwhile, I got a chance to meet and speak to the players of Barcelona, along
with Fernando Fiore of Republica Deportiva fame, Chris Sullivan and Max Bretos (funny guys) and
Barce President Laporta.
Taking some well deserved time to goof off, a few Red Bulls players participated in an Iron Chef
Cook Off at the infamous ESPNZone in Times Square. Each team was given thirty
minutes to put together a dish, accompanied by a chef to guide them along. They would then be
judged by a media panel that included reknowned pulitzer prize winning food critics, and on the
other end of the spectrum - my personal fave - Shep Messing.
With the absolutely humiliating display of football Colombia has been exhibiting lately, it was
a foregone conclusion that technical director Jose Luis Pinto would have to walk
the plank. Well, it happened. And in his place, interim coach Eduardo Lara, is
looking to mend fences with those shunned by Pinto.
Hey everyone. I am back.
There has been some construction in my office that forced me off the internet for nearly four
days. I never knew technology could cause withdrawals . . . . but here I am, back to the old
bloggeroo.
And here is some stuff I've missed (and maybe you have too) this week:
+ As some of you already know, Gabe Cichero and Jorge Rojas won't be there for
the leagues induction of RSL's new soccer specific stadium.
Marc DeGrandpre left the managing directors position vacant. And after a six
month search, plus a visit from the Salzburg ownership, the Red Bulls have a new face manning the
ship.
Ladies and Gentlemen, meet Erik Stover.
Taking a look at his "resume," there are definitely pro's and con's to the hire.
Wow. So thats what it feels like when nearly 79,000 rabid soccer fans are put under one roof? Amazing.
MAJOR props to Sams Army and ESC, which showed up this game in a major way - especially the final 15 minutes. Somehow, a section of 4,000 max outsang the almighty biceleste fans when it counted most.
Ladies and Gentlemen, left back may have just been filled. With a left foot.
Young Mexican Diego Jimenez, former starter for Tecos and the Mexican Under 23 Nationals, is on
his way to New Jersey, so says Brian Lewis at the Post (great blog by the way). The best part? He
already has a green card - so none of that waiting forever to see him on the pitch stuff.
So this theory has gone from a comical hypothetical to a head slapping reality: Every Bulls loss
seems to result in some International signing.
This weeks band aid is Gabriel Cichero. Cichero will be with us through the end of the year, and
has an option year for 2009. ABN in Bolivia broke the story yesterday.
Jon Conway after Landon Donovans game tying goal.
Thanks to our pro, Andrew Zarate, for this gem. (zaratepics@gmail.com)
Brian Lewis of the New York Post always seems to have the scoop. And this week
is no different.
For those who have been asking, here is the dealio:
- The Atlanta Silverbacks are still asking for the absurd transfer fee of 200k
for their elite forward, Macoumba Kanji (just a side note - his first name is
pronounced the same way as an ancient Brazilian voodoo practice).
