The Red Bulls kick off their conference final tie with Atlanta today

The one New Jersey/New York team Johnny really pulled for starts the conference final tie (Americans and Canadians call them a 'home and home' series) with the Atlanta Braves, er Hawks, um, no, Falcons? It can't be the Thrashers, they're gone. Anyway, the Red Bulls play at Atlanta United at 5:30pm. It would be so Red Bulls to get this far again and lose but something tells Johnny they can win the Eastern Conference. If the Red Bulls play an in your face style against Atlanta and force them into giveaways and less possession, like they did previously this season, maybe the South Ward will still be chanting, “You can’t beat us,” in the return match at Red Bull Arena on Thursday.

NYCFC fans can go put on their Red Bull hats now.

How 'bout them Red Bulls?

The New York Red Bulls rallied tonight from down 2-0 in Cincy vs FC Cincinnati to get power up and win 3-2 and advance to the final of the U.S. Open Cup Final vs Sporting KC on September 20th.

Gonzalo Veron started the fightback from the Red Bulls on 75 minutes. Three minutes later it was Bradley Wright-Phillips heading home to draw NY level. Bradley Wright-Phillips then scored the winner and there was much rejoicing.
Just not in Cincinnati.

The last straw

It happened this morning, about the time Johnny saw the Red Bulls feed on Twitter coming out with yet another change in bag policies wherein clear bags with draw strings are no longer allowed. What the fuckity fuck ever. Yes, treat everyone who wants to go to your event like a would-be terrorist. If you're to the point a clear bag with draw strings is somehow a McGyver terror kit then Johnny's just done with the lot of you. He had to deal with a shitty brand spanking new bag policy down in New Brunswick at the Michigan State vs Rutgers football game October 10th. Oh hey, we forgot to tell you, yeah her purse can't come in but if you go to the other side of the stadium we have a locker truck set up and for the low low one time price of 10$ we'll hold your wife's purse for the night. Yeah, no planned profiteering going on there. Just a quick explanation of "Well we just decided to go with the NFL policy." Well thanks for telling anyone.

So no Red Bulls, Johnny's enjoyed going in the past but no more. No NFL games, No RU football games, no to anywhere that acts like this. At Devils games they look in your bag and let you in, they haven't given in to this "The guest is not to be trusted" policy so you know it's not some set in stone mandated law as certain venues would like you to believe. Red Bulls, don't call Johnny anymore about ticket plans (he unsubscribed from your constant emails a while ago but that did nothing) or this or that. The team may well be playing deep into the playoffs. Swell, just sell that seat to someone else.

This just in...

The Red Bulls have scored again...

We now return you to your regularly scheduled Sunday afternoon.

Red Bulls vs DC Union for a chance to move on in the MLS playoffs

After a 1-0 first game victory in DC last weekend, the Red Bulls look to advance in the MLS Eastern Conference playoffs with a good result today. For those not hip to soccer that goal AT DC is big because in home and home, in soccer called "ties" that is the tie-breaker. Here's to a good result today at 3pm at Red Bull Stadium. Johnny can't wait to get tickets to the next round!

Cristiano Ronaldo coming to MLS, in NYC?

By his own words Cristiano, maybe the second best player in the world behind that Argentinian mop headed kid, has expressed after his next contract in Europe, whether it takes him from Real Madrid to Paris Saint-Germain or back to Manchester United, in three to four years MLS should be expecting at least one season from the global icon known as #CR7:

"I've always said living and playing there is a possibility."

Nobody close to his name has come over. Not Thierry Henry to the Red Bulls, not David Villa to NYCFC. Ronaldo will no doubt get to choose the team he plays for. Since MLS plays through Spring, Summer and Fall, he wouldn't have to put winter miles on his legs as in Europe. Johnny's guess is he could land in two places, LA or NYC. Which NYC franchise is the question. The Red Bulls sure look like a better bet right now, winning two Supporters Shield trophies as top regular season team in the last three years and are favorites to win the MLS title this year. Much more attractive and who wants to play in Los Angeles in July and August?

Can you imagine the PATH trains out to Harrison on Red Bull game nights?

So it begins; Red Bulls vs NYCFC tonight!

Johnny will be there tonight signing autographs for the kids but let's NOT bury the lead, tonight in Harrison at Red Bulls Arena brings the first match between The New Jersey Red Bulls and NYCFC. In what Johnny is calling the Hudson River Derby tonight all MLS soccer eyes will be out in Harrison as a rivalry is born. The noobs, NYCFC and their star David Villa (Who happens to be Johnny's favorite player, mea culpa) take the PATH out to Harrison to take on the Red Bulls, yet another team living and playing in New Jersey who demand NYC's attention, as Stannis Baratheon would say, "Like beat dogs." and a team whose initial season thus far and lead up to it could be called second class. The NYCFC parent club Manchester City has enough money to make Solomon blush and yet the Cityzens must go to Yankee Stadium to watch them play because they don't have a stadium of their own. Manchester City, according to rumors, is ready to give Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola more money to manage their underwhelming European adventures than it would take to get NYCFC a real home. NYCFC also spent a good deal of time pushing season tickets with the promise of Man City's Frank Lampard coming to town only to have to admit after the fact, yeah they pretty much lied, he'd never signed an MLS contract at all and was staying at Manchester City at least until summer. Classic.

But, as the Devils and Rangers have managed to co-exist/co-hate one another Johnny thinks this is gonna be a fun derby. Sure, it'll take a wicked red card on someone's behalf or a great ending to really put the juice into it but it'll be great for local soccer fans.

To be honest Johnny's not an MLS fan. He doesn't watch usually unless the Red Bulls are playing a late match out west on a Saturday night. If that makes him a Euro snob it just does. He knows who he's going to support however in the Hudson River Derby. Sorry Mr. Villa, normally Johnny cheers wildly FOR you but as of today he's choosing a state, not a team.

GO Red Bulls!

Internet rumors running rampant the New York Red Bulls may have a MASSIVE announcement coming soon

The internet is churning out rumors originating with SKY Italia that current Barcelona midfielder, Xavi Hernandez, may be joining the Red Bulls after Spain's trip through the World Cup. For those who don't follow soccer Xavi is the playmaking "metronome" or "el architecto" for the best club team in the world, Barcelona and the current World Cup champions, Spain. That's a quality player.

More on this as it develops. Johnny had heard rumors that the new team MLS is trying to prop up in NYC proper, partnered with Manchester City of the Barclay's Premier League, was trying to land Xavi in a huge fan-friendly move. Have the Red Bulls stolen their thunder?

Dear NY Daily News

Recently in your typical homer-style while discussing the possibility another MLS soccer team could land in Flushing Meadows, Queens you made the following snide editorial comment:

"A professional soccer team is one of the things New York has been missing."

ORLY? We folks over here in New Jersey feel the same way about hockey in New York so let us be clear:

"A professional hockey team is one of the things New York has been missing."

By the way NY Daily News, the football teams with the New York moniker both happily play in New Jersey. Next time get your heads out of your collective asses BEFORE you opine. 

We had no idea MLS was doing so well

Could it be that the New York Red Bulls will have some cross-Hudson rivals in the near future? It would seem so as Major League Soccer is planning to plop a new team in Queens and the move has the support of Governor Cuomo and Mayor Mike. Flushing Meadows in the place they want to build the 25,000 seat stadium. MLS wants to add some land to the haul to build (on their dime) 9 soccer fields in addition to the big stadium (Did MLS do this for the Red Bulls out in Harrison?). We'll see how this plays out but it does raise some interesting questions.

Can the Red Bulls continue to be the New York Red Bulls playing in Harrison New Jersey with a team actually from New York City proper playing nearby? The Jets/Giants case isn't quite comparable as there is no Brooklyn Ogres or such team. Seriously, they may have to become the New Jersey Red Bulls or risk some backlash. And back to a previous question, why NOW and why NYC for the MLS cash drop?

Ah well, all things that'll be worked out in time. We do know this, send us your NYC-proper teams and we'll send them back tenderized.

Did Newark bet on the wrong sport when they built the Bears Stadium?

The New York Times has a wonderful look at how Newark may have well bet on the wrong sport a few years ago when they were approached by both representatives from the Newark Bears and New York Red Bulls to build new stadiums in Newark. At the time the Newark Mayor, Sharpe James was all for a baseball stadium (in trade for a jail built in Newark) and both James and the residents of Newark were opposed to another stadium, a soccer stadium. Yes, the residents helped bring this void on as well.

The Bears? They average a couple hundred a night, if that. The Red Bulls? They average close to 18,000 a night and often top 20K in attendance. Both have gorgeous stadiums. Both are right along public transportation. So what gives?

Johnny has a couple quick out of the box ideas. In order to save the Bears they will need to become SOMEBODY'S farm team. This indy gig is not working out. Former Yankee catcher Rick Cerone, a former Bears owner, tried to get George Steinbrenneer interested in making Newark a farm team but the bombastic owner refused. Hey, the Mets, the Phillies, the Orioles et al. It doesn't even have to be AAA, AA would be fine and improve attendance. People who live in Newark, if they want this team to continue will have to start supporting it themselves. If Newark residents refuse to go what chance does the home team have?

A lot yet to read on this kids, a very thoughtful article to start your Monday with...

It's the MLS All-Star game out in Harrison tonight

The Major League Soccer All-Stars will be playing English Premier League champions Manchester United tonight at Red Bull Arena. First off we like the format. Well done. After having to watch dunking practice at NBA all-star games, slapshot and fancy pass practice at the NHL all-star games, no contact drills in the NFL Pro Bowl and now baseball all-star games ending in ties, this format actually works.

Point of order, the game is a sellout. So Johnny informing you that Los Angeles and USA star Landon Donovan won't even be there can't hurt attendance. The Red Bulls will have quite a few players representing the NEW JERSEY side. Joel Lindpere, Juan Agudelo, Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez and Tim Ream are in and the team is coached by the Red Bulls' Hans Backe.

And what would an all-star game preview if Johnny couldn't be a jackass? Hey Ryan Giggs, no super injunctions on THIS side of the pond, just freedom of the press. So, will Imogen Thomas be on the trip with you? I mean since the British press is unable to say you two had an affair because you got a "super-injunction" and all.

Also on the soccer front the Star-Ledger has a nice piece on MLS trying to become a top flight club league. MLS' goal is to, within 10 years, be on par with the English Premier League, La Liga (Spain), Bundesliga (Germany) and Serie A (Italy). Gooooood luck with that. While MLS has a salary cap to keep player transfers financially doable, the European leagues sure don't. So good luck in trying to keep top flight USA talent here. Much as we don't fault our pro sports players from switching teams that offer more money how on earth can we expect any up and coming American soccer stars from playing with better competition for a lot more money. Answer, we can't. Billy, you can play for 400K for Denver or go play against Christian Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, David Villa, Diego Forlan in La Liga for 3 times what Denver will pay.

Ain't a hard choice now is it? Until MLS ends the salary cap and brings over a star or five in their prime (no offense to the Red Bulls Thierry Henry and LA's David Beckham but their best years were over before they got here) MLS will be a nice league where the top Euro competition comes to play in July to warm up for their seasons.

MLS just be happy with who you are and what you do. Team development academies are a MUST.

And end the salary cap.

Tonight's opponent scoring a brilliant goal

If you're looking for something fun to do tonight head out to Harrison and catch the NY Red Bulls

It'll be a raucous crowd at Red Bull Arena tonight when the home side plays DC United at 7:30. The two teams will be playing for the Atlantic Cup tonight as if you needed another reason to sit in the late day sunshine into a mild evening. The Red Bulls crushed Toronto FC earlier this week in Harrison 5-0 and are back up at the top of the table (soccer talk for standings). Red Bulls forward Juan Agudelo, one of the fresh faces in MLS as well as the US National Team had two goals against Toronto and along with Thierry Henry look to pace New York's attack.

Getting to the match couldn't be any easier, just get on the PATH towards Newark, get off in Harrison and bingo, you're feet from Red Bulls Stadium.

Be there and support the NEW JERSEY side (sorry, somebody had to say it). To get you fired up here's Luke Rogers' firecracker of a goal against Toronto this week: