Oh Dane…Oh Dane…Oh Dane…Red Bull Friendlies Give You Wings! (Or, Defenders Give You Space)

Dane Richards is an interesting conundrum…most of the time he plays like crap.  A one-trick pony which most MLS defenses have figured out.  He’s got great speed, but a very small soccer brain, often dribbling himself either into the endline or into triple coverage.  And, his crosses leave a lot to be desired.  But, then on some rare occasions, especially against unfamiliar foreign competition, he manages to play like a maniac.

In the Grand-Opening Friendly exhibition against Santos FC of Brazil, Dane used his speed to terrorize the Santos’ defenders all game, eventually scoring on a blistering shot to seal the 3-1 victory.  Today, against Manchester City, Dane created an exceptional win by using his speed to beat defender, Wayne Bridge to the ball, and then crossed a perfect ball into Macoumba Kandji for the 1-0 lead.  Then in the second half, with the game tied up at 1-1, Dane raced down the wing, into space, and fired a shot from 30 yards out off the crossbar and into the net to give the Red Bulls the lead and eventual 2-1 win. 

Now, if Dane could do that against MLS competition in a meaningful game, then the Red Bulls would be practically unbeatable.  Unfortunately, I expect that he’ll be back to his one-trick pony, impotent ways soon enough…Or maybe Henry will be a good influence on him, but I won’t hold my breath.  

Peace
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Get These Guys Some Viagra

A beautiful summer night with a loud and boisterous crowd awaiting the introduction of the man of the hour, Thierry Henry.  The players lined up for pre-game introductions, Tottenham on one side, the NY Red Bulls on the other.  The boos rained down as the Tottenham players were introduced. 

Then came the Red Bull intros, and the players received their customary applause.  The announcer ran through the starting lineup with his usual enthusiasm…”at Forward #10…Macooooooumba Kaaaaandji”…eventually he reached “Midfielder #33 Carl Robinson…AND MAKING HIS NEW YORK RED BULL DEBUT…” and you could hardly hear a word the announcer was saying after that, but through the deafening roar you could just barely make out…”AT FORWARD…#14…THIERRYYYY HEEEENRYYYY!”

In following this team for 15 years, I have only heard one instance of the crowd being louder than they were for Henry’s introduction, and that was in the 26th minute when Henry scored his first ever goal as a NY Red Bull, giving them a 1-0 lead over English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspurs. 

But, as expected, Henry was subbed out at halftime, and being that these are the Red Bulls, inevitably they would find a way to ruin the festivities.  Juan Pablo Angel, nursing an injury, was left out of the lineup…and with Henry now a spectator on the bench…the remaining Red Bulls, while outplaying Tottenham for most (if not all) of the game, were unable to take advantage of their opportunities.  And, as customary when dominating a game without scoring, defensive errors cost them the game.  Both, errors can be attributed to brainfarts by backup (NOTE “Backup”) goalkeeper, Greg Sutton.

So, I say let’s take up a collection and get these guys some Viagra, because without Angel and Henry, they are just shooting blanks!

Peace
G

What a Train Wreck!

Well…Ok…so much for Henry joining a first place team! The supposed battle for the Eastern Conference Lead, ended up being one team bending over all game long, and the other sticking their foot up in their ass!

It was a game with absolutely nothing to watch for Red Bull fans, yet you couldn’t help but look at this complete and utter train wreck…Blood pressure rising with every tick of the clock. 

With Thierry Henry watching from a luxury box at Columbus Crew Stadium, the new look Red Bulls looked more like the Same Ole Metros!  The 2-0 scoreline does not do the complete domination by the Crew justice…It was just plain embarrassing.

Thierry Henry (and, Rafa) can’t start soon enough!

Peace
G

Vive La France! Vive La Revolution! Vive Les Taureaux Rouge!

  

New York City...The Tri-State Area...An area so rich in sports history and tradition that it manages to hold 2 Major League Baseball teams (NYY, NYM), 2 National Football League teams (NYG, NYJ), 2 Basketball teams (NYK, NJN), and 3 Hockey teams (NYR, NYI, NJD). 

Well don't look now, but there's a 10th area team making some noise! Yes, that's right the NEW YORK RED BULLS of Major League Soccer have thrust themselves into the spotlight.  By signing perhaps the best, most successful soccer player of this generation, Thierry Henry, to a 4 1/2 year contract, the Red Bull Organization has EXCLAIMED that they are for real, and they are here to stay.  And, according to everyone in charge, this is not all; this is just the beginning. 

Everyone made great hype about David Beckham signing with the LA Galaxy, and with good reason.  He is clearly the most recognizable Footballer in the world.  But, as far as talent and accomplishment, Beckham doesn't come close to Thierry Henry. 

Henry made his professional debut in 1994 with Monaco of the French First Division.  During the 1996-97 season, he was named the French Young Footballer of the Year, and helped Monaco capture the French Ligue 1 title.  In 1997-98, he set a French record by scoring seven goals in the UEFA Champions’ League, leading his team to the semi-finals.

In 1998, he was a member of the French World Cup winning team, where he lead the team in scoring with 3 goals.  To date, Henry appeared in 118 games for France, including 4 World Cups (‘98, ‘02, ‘06, ‘10), and has scored 51 goals…the most in French National team history.

He played for English Premier League club Arsenal from 1999-2007.  During his time at the London club, he appeared in 369 games, while scoring 226 goals and assisting on 92 others. He remains Arsenal’s All-time Leading Goal Scorer.  He led the club to 2 league titles (2001-02, 2003-04), and 3 FA Cup titles (2002, 2003, 2005) during his stay in North London. 

In 2007, he joined Spanish powerhouse Barcelona.  During the 2008-09 season, Henry scored an amazing 26 goals in 42 games, while assisting 12 times, and along with teammates, Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto’o, formed an attacking trio which combined to score 100 goals for the club that season.  He was an instrumental part of Barcelona becoming the first (and only) team in history to win a sextuple.  The sextuple consists of titles in La Liga (2008-09), Copa del Rey (2008-09), and Supercopa de España (2009), also known as the Treble; in addition to winning the UEFA Champions League (2008-09), UEFA Super Cup (2009), and the FIFA Club World Cup (2009). 

 

Henry now joins a team currently in 2nd place behind Eastern Conference leading Columbus. He could however find himself on a 1st place team by the time he suits-up, if the Red Bulls are able to beat the division leaders on Saturday in Columbus.  Trailing the Crew by only 2 points, a win would propel them into first place in the Eastern Conference before Thierry Henry even plays a game. 

And, the latest word is that a 3rd Designated Player will be added in the next 2 weeks…the leading rumor being that Henry’s Barcelona teammate, (and Mexican National Team Player) Rafael (Rafa) Marquez will be that signing.  Also, a member of the sextuple winning team.

Regardless of the next signing, it’s very clear that these are not your daddy’s Red Bulls!

Go NY RED BULLS in 2010 and Beyond!!!   

Vive Les Taureaux Rouge!

Peace
G