Which player is seen here reflecting large amounts of light straight back to the sun?

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.

One of these players just doesn't belong. Can you tell which player is not like the others?

From left to right: former Dortmund striker Márcio Amoroso, Wolfsburg striker Grafite, Bayern striker Luca Toni and Nuremberg striker/midfielder Marek Mintal.

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!

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.

Jozy Altidore was excluded from the Hull City game with no explanation for his absence to be found. But the young lass loves his social networking sites, so the mystery didn't take very long to figure out. While Hull was already playing, Jozy sent his fans a little tweet to explain what had happened:

"Apologize to the all of you.

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!

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.

A fairly easy one to solve I think.

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!

One of these players just doesn't belong. Can you tell which player is not like the others?

You know, I never do the CAPTION THIS thing, but this one was too good to pass up . . . .

. . . . As if Red Bulls fan needed another reason to poke fun at their DC rivals.

My entry:

"At least they wore socks ..."

Thanks ESPN the Magazine!

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.

Vladimir Bystrov has made the headlines thanks to his beautiful goal in the derby match against CSKA, which was his fourth in as many games for his new/old club Zenit. Not only did he score a great goal, but he terrorized CSKA defenders, most of whom are regulars in the national team, throughout the match despite playing through the pain barrier and the big European clubs must be regretting their decision not to sign him last summer.

Saga of the transfer of an excellent, experienced English defender to the ambitious fourth-league club was over even before it started. Sol Campbell broke the five-year contract with Notts County after only one match and this move might cost him a break from professional football till next midterm, that is to say January.

In Cali that is.

ElLaJugada.com, a widely followed site that follows the South American game, put up a question to fans of Colombian side Deportivo de Cali. Who would you want as your next head coach?

The results, in this season of woe, will definitely provide a head slap and chuckle to the Red Bull Aficionados:

Estos fueron los resultados de la votación.

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.

Kristian Dyer over at ESPN makes an excellent case for Richie Williams, who is playing the David role against an Austrian Goliath as he tries to fight for and secure a position as the permanent head coach of the Red Bulls squad.

And there is a lot of reason why the fans and players are pulling for the explosive, diminutive coach.

Swiss football referee, Massimo Busacca, who took charge of Champions League finals between Manchester and Barcelona was banned for three games for raising the middle finger at the fans.

One of the best referees in the world did this during the Swiss Cup game between Young Boys and third-league team FC Baden.

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.

If you had a German name and researched it, you'd probably end up learning that 800 years ago a poor pig farmer built his hut right beside a hole in the ground and so your family was subsequently named after this hole. A Portuguese or Brazilian name on the other hand is more like a soap opera and includes the names of your father, mother, first girlfriend, your father's mistress, your mother's gardener etc.

Pacheco's loan release has sparked alot of debate. Did the Red Bulls jump the gun releasing a young prospect? Or was this a Diego Jimenez situation all over again, with Pacheco playing the "See ya later" role?

You decide. Today's poll asks: Did RBNY do the right thing releasing Pacheco?

Who saw this coming?

RBR is reporting that Red Bull are terminating the loan deal for Alfredo Pacheco effective immediately. In a season full of unbelievable situations, this one proves to be just more frosting on the cake. Pacheco followed the route of other Osorio signings before him, showing displays of brilliance in the middle of mind boggling mistakes.