I am sorry, but when one of my country men pulls something like this off, I have to highlight it.

Here is Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs catching a bat. The marsupial kind, not the baseball one . . .

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.

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).

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!

Hey all,

For those who care, I am doing weekend duties on the main Offside page. Started last week, and I will be sharing the load with a combo of theoffsides finest Rob, Jan and of course, Laurie. So check these installments out, shoot on by, and give your opinions outside of the Red Bulls sphere.

Halloween begins my Four-fecta of favorite holidays, as well as the beginning of my favorite season of the year. For those that would like to know, yes, I am getting dressed up for Halloween this year. My costume? Popeye. The biggest Popeye ever, but Popeye nonetheless.

Now, here is The Offside MVP John Wolyniec doing "THRILLER!

You get a phone call from Red Bull.

It's Erik Stover.

Is this another automated call to buy season tickets? Not this time.

You are offered the position of teams Sporting Director. And you jump at the chance.

But now what? Well, I turn it over to you -

What would you do to turn around this franchise ahead of the 2010 season?

While at yesterday's final grass installation, there was a rare positive vibe with the team, not just for the Arena's near completion, but for the season to come. Whether it was players, management or press, everyone seemed to look towards the future with longing eyes.

A lot of the hot button issues were discussed, and others simply insinuated.

Though the rain may have followed it's way over from Giants Stadium to Red Bull Arena, and the sky was as gray as ever, it could not dampen nor cast a shadow on today's accomplishment. Ladies and Gentlemen, say goodbye to plastic turf; the final piece of sod is in place, and the Red Bulls Kentucky Blue Grass pitch is finally complete.

Alrighty ladies and gents, while some may be writing about postseason plans with passionate pride, I will be doing my darndest to keep things interesting around here till March of 2010. And when a team isn't in the playoffs (holla TFC, and San Jose!), the front office has to do the same.

It is in that vane that the Red Bulls announced their awards for team MVP, Defender of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Fan of the Year.

Just in time for the election cycle, interim coach Richie Williams has received a huge endorsement for the vacant head coaching position. And this vote of confidence holds a lot of weight.

Team captain Juan Pablo Angel has clearly recognized the short term successes of the Williams era.

When you looked up at the sky, and the puddles all over the floor, there was a certain irony in it all; as if even the God's were crying over the 2009 season. And what weather could be more fitting for a Stadium that caused nothing but tears for the past 14 years? Surely, with a hungry and desperate TFC at the gates, tonight would end like so many others; a tearful mess of a loss.

How many times have you heard a sports journo or commentator use the phrase "That kid's got heart!" It is one of those cliches that stands the test of time, much like the classic "he gives one hundred and ten percent every play," and the ever so popular "he never takes a play off. He is always competing!

Shortly after we posted up the much talked about Thierry Henry to RBNY rumors on the page, TheOffside Editor Daryl Grove took us all on a journalistic back tracking mission to disavow the validity of the headline, basically stating that the news was unsubstantiated, and that many journo's simply did not fact check their stories before running with them.

This is it.

October 24 will be the end of an era (error?) for New York soccer. Toronto FC will be the final opponent on that cursed rubber pitch that has haunted this franchise for 14 years now. Yes fans, the day has come. It is finally over.

No more unpredictable bounces. No more turf burn.

For all of you that are interested, FIFA 10 is out and ready for your consoles!

Anyone want to play? Look for my XBOX gamer tag: UNCLE DAVE 23 - and maybe we can get a little tourney going later in the year!

Pick up your copy today!

Yes, I am a newly married man, and like many, I was wondering when the Red Bull organization would send me a gift for the momentous occasion. Well, here is a gift that I would willingly wait for, no matter how long it takes to receive it.

The Mail Online from England is reporting that Thierry Henry, Arsenal great and French legend, may be willing to choose Red Bull New York over a move to Manchester City.

Wondering where the hell I have been lately? Wondering why their aren't a ton of posts since August or so? No, I haven't given up on the Red Bulls or reporting on them.

The fact is I am getting married. October 17th in fact. And I have been up to my neck in wedding stuff, personal business and family matters that have reduced my blogging time tremendously.

New York Red Bulls: Don't Forget the Lyrics from Red Bulls Reader on Vimeo.

Um . . . thanks Red Bulls Reader?! OOOOOF. Is this cringy . . . but I have to admit. Danleigh Borman is better than most boy banders.

Enjoy on this Wednesday morn . . . . eek.

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.

Here it is. Like The Riddle Of The Great Pyramids, the Red Bulls have been staring at this mathematical equation for the better part of two seasons now, and that number continues to escalate. 25 game winless streak on the road. Another Osorio record. But can Richie turn it around against San Jose?

The US Mens Under 20 National Squad had some local flavor, as Red Bull Academy stand out Dilly Duka exposed the Cameroon defense and midfield in a brilliant performance, setting up the second goal, and painting the lower third in a 4-1 romp over the African side.

Going one on one with the Cameroonian defender, and with space to move, Duka looked towards goal, and floated a beauty over the head of the keeper, and just inside of the post on the far right.

Anyone who even lightly follows Serie A (like me) knows that Napoli is in a bit of trouble. Currently standing at the bottom half of the league tables, Napoli's performances have been considered disappointing this season, even after an exciting 2-1 win against Siena this weekend, in a match that was billed to be a make or break for their head coach, former Italian National manager and Metrostars player, Roberto Donadoni.

It was a crazy night at the Home Depot Center this past Saturday. Chivas USA facing the Red Bulls didn't quite have the sizzle fans would want out of their Game of the Week coming into it, but some matches hold surprises of their own.

Though anemic in the first half, the Bulls were able to rally from a 1-0 deficit to tie the game on an amazing header from El Angel Del Gol, The Cherubic Assasin, Juan Pablo Angel.

Oh did you forget? The Red Bulls have yet to pick up their first road win of the season. Richie Williams has done alot, but this staggering challenge may even be too much for him to take down.

What do you think? Can Red Bull manage a win this weekend?

Will Red Bull End their season long road losing streak against Chivas USA this weekend?

In a recent interview with MLSnet.com (espanol version folks), Jorge Rojas spoke about his desire to remain with the Red Bulls after the end of this season, when his contract officially expires. Calling it his first priority, the Vinotinto veteran wants to be part of the New York franchises new beginning, after suffering two seasons on the rubber pitch of Giants Stadium.

A little Dirty Jerz for your Tuesday Morning.

I'll be back later with some actual soccer related stuff. Till then? Bounce your head to this . . .

Red Bull Arena. The mere thought of what will be has fans going to the bathroom to change their underwear. It is that good.

So what better way to kick off a the new digs than playing our dreaded rivals in what should be the hottest ticket in town? That is right! Batton down the hatches, hide the wives and kids folks, because here come THE RAPIDS!

Richie Williams side showed a ton of heart this weekend, and could have taken the win, had it not been for a horrendous non call in the box, when New England's leg breaker, Osei, nearly took off Wolyniec's legs with a drop kick of epic proportions.

Though some people may not agree (NLR, I am looking at you bud!), Andrew Boyens has been solid the last two games for the Red Bulls. He made key defensive plays to stop the Columbus attack this past weekend, highlighted by a beautiful diving header clearance. Not bad for someone who has been riding the bench all season.

Mike Petke gives us an inside look on the day of Juan Carlos Osorio's resignation on his new blog entry this week. What is clearly learned is that Richie Williams is inspiring the team to rally through the end of the season. And what seems to be implied is that Osorio just couldn't.

Here is an excerpt of the entry:

Now fast forward to Aug.

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!