We Are Not Spectators

FC Dallas have started their push to get 2010 season tickets deposits with their We Are Not Spectators campaign. I appreciate the effort, but it feels kind of like a bad version of the Nike commercial with the Brasilian National Team in the airport. It could be worse, much worse, like New York's Running with the Red Bulls campaign, which might be the worse marketing campaign ever. Even the Revolution did a better job with their parody of NYRB's flop. Come on already, just bite Scarf Seattle, look how it worked for the Sounders.

Red Bulls Hire Hans Backe

The other day I asked, "What's going on with the Red Bulls?" I guess someone was listening because the organization announced Hans Backe as their new Head Coach. Backe recently quit Notts County seven weeks after signing a 3 year deal.The Sven-Goran Ericksson protege has a lot of experience, but nothing can prepare foreign coaches for the intricacies of MLS. Footballing great, Ruud Gullit is a prime example of the frustration that MLS rules can cause a foreign coach. At least Backe can't do any worse than Juan Carlos Osorio...or can he?

What's Going On With The Red Bulls?

The worst team in the league is tough to figure out.
Good: They are about to open the coolest soccer specific stadium in the country. Which puts them in the running to host the 2010 MLS Cup in addition to the Big East Championships.
Bad: They still don't have a head coach and the MLS Combine is starting next week with the draft on January 14th.
Good: They signed Costa Rican defender Roy Miller. Miller currently plays for Rosenborg in Norway and was a pre-season target for the Sounders last year.
Bad: Mac Kandji in this article. Well, at least we know he can score off the field.

TFC vs NYRB Highlights

I still can't believe how big of an egg TFC laid. Win and you're in. It's that simple. But lose 5-nil?

RSL vs NY Red Bulls Highlights

Great goals from Andy Williams and Fabian Espindola to keep RSL's playoff hopes alive.

NYRB VS NE Revolution

Friday night action from MLS.

Sainey Nyassi's goal was absolutely sick. It makes me wonder if he's that much better than his brother or if Sigi just doesn't like Sanna.

NYRB Fan of the Year Contest

Are you kidding me? They expect people to do something to become fan of the year? After the years of torture and suffering through this abysmal season, they should just give the award to everybody who shows up at the last game.

We Win Trophies... Among Other Things

Many of you have seen the website, We Win Trophies where DC United is trying to sell tickets to the US Open Cup Final against the Sounders. I think it's a cool concept and I like the viral marketing that some MLS clubs have decided to try. What I find funny though, is the parody of the We Win Trophies site that a disgruntled Red Bulls fan has put up. Having lived in New York during the Metrostars era, I can feel their pain. I remember sitting through my first US Open Cup final in the empty cauldron called Giants Stadium with only 5,183 fans. It was cold, raining and the plastic pitch there was terrible. I drove through rush hour traffic in Manhattan to support my local side, and I saw them fail miserably. The only redeeming element was seeing former Metro and one of my favorite Reggae Boyz, Andy Williams hoist the cup. The dude has gone through a lot recently so look out for a future post from me on how you can help.

The New Meadowlands Stadium

There was nothing I hated more about New York than getting to the Meadowlands. Then, once I finally made it there I had to put up with the crappy turf that the MetroStars played on in the empty cavern called Giants Stadium. I so wanted the West Side Stadium to be approved. I saw that place as a ticket to the return of the Cosmos.

But times have changed. The Red Bulls (though they still suck) will have their new stadium and the New Meadowlands will actually have train Service! Woo hoo! After the Gold Cup Final at Giants Stadium on Sunday, World Cup 2022 should be a no brainer. Except that the "new" stadium will now be 12 years old and out of date by then. Oh well. Here are the FIFA executives touring the new Meadowlands, courtesy of USsoccer.com.

Let The Circus Begin!

The David Beckham mania has officially begun. I give to you today's Press Conference courtesy of the LA Galaxy.

Have you ever seen that much press before playing the worst team in the league?
And to get you excited about tomorrow night's match in the Meadowlands I will leave you with highlights from David's first MLS trip to the Garden State.

I'm really hoping we get another game like this one...and why isn't this game on ESPN?

2009-2010 CONCACAF Champions League

Red Bulls Reader posted this video of the CONCACAF Champions League draw. I have a couple of thoughts:
1) The NY Red Bulls suck right now and don't deserve to be in the tournament the way they're playing.
2) If CONCACAF want the tournament to be taken seriously outside of CONCACAF, then let's make the draw a big event. Bring in ex-players with World Cup experience, models, celebrities (Drew Carey's a shoe in), etc... I'm sure you could make it part of a charity event for Haiti or Nothing But Nets.
3) After re-reading point #2, maybe the Red Bulls deserve to be in the tournament after all.

NY Red Bulls vs. DC United

This goes out to the left coast with everyone hard at work in their cubicles at 4:30 Pacific Time.

This live game has ended.

Santino Quaranta and Jaime Moreno were your goalscorers as DC United cruised to a 2-0 home victory over the Red Bulls.