Why have the Philadelphia Union added a scrimmage against Florida Gulf Coast University, of all
places, to their preseason warm-up tour? With approximately 12,000 students including post-grads
and a "noteable alumni" list that consists of a professional monster trucker and Don Carman
(retired Philadelphia Phillies pitcher from the 80's), what put the FGCU Eagles on the radar?
Before I dive headfirst into the concrete-bottomed shallow end of the bracket, I'd like to take a
moment to say something about an issue that's been bugging me. I don't follow the second division
that closely, because it's not on TV, and there's even less money in writing about USL and NASL
than there is in writing about MLS, but the move of the Austin Aztex to Florida is disappointing,
if only for Austin soccer fans.
Just when you thought that things couldn't get any worse for Toronto FC.Â
TFC drew 2-2 against their Trillium Cup rivals the Columbus Crew in a match that saw Columbus
goalkeeper Will Hesmer score the equalizer in the 92nd minute off a corner kick.
August marked three years of my involvement here on TheOffside, reporting not only your New York
Red Bulls, but also MLS, American soccer, Argie Primera, video games, EPL, La Liga . . . hell, you
name it, I've done it. In my time, I have covered a ton of events, from Red Bull players
challenging each other to a cook-off to kicking a footy around with Carlos Puyol and the rest of
the Barcelona squad.
The unlucky bounces, close calls, and heartbreakers have eased up on the Islanders for the
time-being the Islanders have enjoyed a few weeks in the sun. After posting 1 win in their first 11
season games, the Islanders have won their last 3 USL-2 contests over Charlotte once and Real
Maryland twice.
Apparently, Pennsylvania has it's own Island somewhere, devoid of internet access or human
contact. It is in this community known as "Harrisburg" that the City Islanders, lead by New York
castaway Danny Cepero, downed the Red Bulls 1-0, sending the side out of the US
Open Cup as quickly as they came in.
It was a fun night in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at the Skyline Sports Complex as the New York Red
Bulls traveled from Kansas City to play in their first proper match after three qualifiers. But
once the match got started there were two problems the Red Bulls had to face. A tough third
division club that was hungry to knock off an MLS side and the Red Bulls former keeper Danny Cepero
who was looking for some satisfaction.
I'm back from my road-trip to Harrisburg, PA. By now, you've all heard the news: the Red Bulls have
been eliminated from U.S. Open Cup competition by Danny Cepero and the USL-2 Harrisburg City
Islanders. In the absence of the Big Viper, YSC, whoshotsam, and the regular Viper's Nest crowd, my
wife and I took up the mantle to provide video comments of the day.
The Red Bulls US Open Cup run is over, as the Harriburg City Islanders (USL2) won the first round
Cup tie 1-0. The heartbreaking Harrisburg goal, scored by forward Dominic Oppong, came deep into
the second half of overtime (117th minute). By all accounts, former Red Bulls keeper Danny Cepero
was Man of The Match.
With the play-in stage of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Tournament finally behind them, the "Baby
Bulls" look forward to the meat and potatos of this nation wide clash. First up on the list? The
Harrisburg City Islanders, who will be sporting not one, but two familiar faces in their
lineup.
Everyone is well aware of Danny Cepero's presence between the pipes.
Good Afternoon! The Red Bulls are back in US Open Cup action today (7:00pm) against Danny Cepero's
current team, the Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL 2nd Division. The Red Bulls line-up will,
undoubtedly, be a mostly reserve team, as we've seen in the three US Open Cup play-in matches @Red
Bull Arena.
US Soccer has released the potential Quarter-Final matchup times and locations. If the Red Bulls
win away at Harrisburg on Tuesday evening (take a nice roadtrip and get your $10 tickets here!),
they will face the winner of the match between D.C. United and the Richmond Kickers.
Unfortunately, we are slated to play away for the quarter-final matchup, regardless of our
opponent.
The New York Red Bulls have a lot of pressure heading into the 2010 season.
They have the pressure of playing well enough to fill their beautiful new stadium, as well as
the pressure of erasing the bad memories of an awful 2009 season. A new coach and a new crop of
players has enjoyed a good pre-season, giving the club some reason for optimism.
The New York Red Bulls announced on Friday that the club has waived goalkeeper Danny Cepero
(pictured at right) as well as defenders Carlos Johnson and Walter Garcia. They also decided
against picking up the option on midfielder Matthew Mbuta's contract for the upcoming season.
"Unfortunately, the four players were not part of our plans moving forward," said Red Bulls
sporting director Erik Soler.
It took a little while but the New York Red Bulls new head coach has begun to flash the paring
knife. Hans Backe took a major stride toward ridding himself from some of the baggage of the
previous regime today, showing the door to four players, one of whom played a major role in the
team's surprising run to the MLS Cup final in 2008.
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.
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?
Juan Pablo Angel will definitely be protected, but who will join him? (Getty Images)
Moving forward yet again on our quest to preview all 15 MLS clubs before the 2009 expansion
draft next week. Today we turn our focus to the New York Red Bulls.
Protected Available Exempt Juan Pablo Angel Danleigh Borman Jeremy Hall Danny Cepero Andrew Boyens
Kevin Goldthwaite Bouna Coundoul Macoumba Kandji Walter Garcia Ernst Oebster Carlos Johnson Mike
Petke Leo Krupnik Dane Richards Carlos Mendes Luke Sassano Matthew Mbuta Seth Stammler Jorge Rojas
Sinisa Ubiparipovic John Wolyniec Nick Zimmerman
Hall should graduate from the GA program, the key word is should.
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.
Danny Cepero, making his first Major League Soccer start, became the first
goalkeeper in league history to score from the run of play. Cepero incredibly got the third goal in
the New York Red Bulls' 3-1 victory over the Columbus Crew at Giants Stadium on the penultimate
regular season matchday (ASN, Oct.
It's been a fantastic season in the US in 2009. Major League Soccer has done itself proud,
providing some superb entertainment and more than enough controversy. And now there's just one game
to go and the competition for the final playoff spots is at fever pitch. Here's your roundup from
Week 31.
Outside shot Real Salt Lake got off to a great start to the week, defeating
New York Red Bulls on Wednesday.
Updated salaries have been posted, reflecting teams pay as of September 15, 2009. In the
clandestine world of MLS, a look at the finances are a rare peak into the inner workings of the
individual teams, and the league as a whole. When they give you the info, be thankful!
Definitely a few pleasant surprises here this time around, especially when you consider the fact
that the list no longer includes albatross salaries of Juan Pietravallo and Khano
Smith.
25 Underprivileged Kids from Harrison Recreation to Take Part in $3,000 Shopping Day at Dick's
Sporting Goods September 10. 2009 in Hanover, NJ.
Here are the details:
WHAT: The New York Red Bulls and Dick's Sporting Goods will host their second
annual "Shop with a Red Bull" event, Wednesday September 10th, at Dick's Sporting Goods at the East
Hanover, New Jersey location on Route 10 West.
Like an episode of Law and Order, Richie Williams is building a case for head
coach, 2010. And if he keeps this up, he won't have to press too much to get it done.
In a scrappy back and forth effort, the Red Bulls downed defending champions Columbus 1-0 on an
absolutely beautiful 70 yard run by Dane Richards (yes, that Dane
Richards!
What is left of the New York Red Bulls dismal season will either survive or perish tonight when
the Red Bulls take on W Connection in the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions League series.
The task is simple. If the Red Bulls win or tie by a goal or less, they advance to the group
stage of the Champions League.
Today, an American scored for Everton. And it wasn't Landon Donovan, despite his having played
well in the first match of his loan across the pond. It was veteran keeper Tim Howard who notched
the goal, sending a surprise lob past an unprepared Bolton side. Check it out here:
Of course, we all remember in 2008 when Danny Cepero became MLS's first keeper to put one in,
having made a similarly sinister lob against Columbus.
* Everton has officially confirmed the club's interest in acquiring 2009 MLS MVP Landon Donovan on
loan. Statement from chief executive Robert Elstone: "Landon is a player David Moyes has identified
as someone he would like to bring to the club. We are working to make that happen and hope we can
reach agreement soon with all the appropriate parties.
The City Islanders managed a late equalizer friday night against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in
the 85th minute, courtesy of Nick Zimmerman. Zimmerman cleaned up a rebound and tied the score as
the Islanders had moved to an aggressive formation after several substitutions in the waning
minutes. This is Zimmerman's second goal for the Islanders this season and his second that earned
the club points.
The City Islanders played to a scorless draw with the Charlotte Eagles saturday night in front
of about 1,400 at Skyline Sports Complex. Despite dominating possesion and testing Eagles keeper
Eric Lefebure throughout the game, the Islanders failed to find the back of the net. The Islanders
outshot the Eagles 12 to 7, nipping the crossbar on a scorching header from Sheannon Williams and
catching the post on two other occassions.
Remember when Danny Cepero scored his "manifest destiny" goal from one side of Giants Stadium to
the other? Everyone was like "whoa". With a little help from Brian Ching running interference,
Houston's N°2 keeper Tally Hall pulled the same trick in CONCACAF Champions League play last
night.
So long, farewell &Â good bye. This coming Saturday, October 24th will officially be the very
last time that this club (MetroStars & Red Bull NY) in the NYC metropolitan area & US Soccer will
call home. This famed stadium named after the NFL team that plays their pointy ball seasons also
shares it with the other football league in the American first division.
Chivas USA unveiled their new signing, forward Jesus Padilla who has come to SoCal from the Mexican
mothership. Sounds good but a look at his numbers in Guadalajara show that he's only got one goal
in 24 appearances; is that really the kind of performance that's worthy of a press conference?
