ChiefToro
13 Aug 2006, 07:50 PM
With the clash from DC United at mid-week, I thought it would be best to get this very special installment of the Chief’s BULLog (http://metronation.net/chief/) posted ASAP before my thoughts and comments become obsolete. Why is this installment so special? It is the first one EVER to be posted as a thread on RagingBullNation’s very own BigSoccer “section!!” We have FINALLY arrived I guess . . . right? :D I thought this would be a neat way this one time to "roll-out" our new message board, even though some of you have already recognized it. Subsequent BULLogs will be featured on www.RagingBullNation.net.
It goes without saying, “Use it, but please do not abuse it.” I am all for free speech, but try really, really, really hard not to be a jerk, OK?! Unfortunately, they are a dime a dozen in our world.
This past month has been an unpredictable one for us, in both positive and negative ways. Nevertheless, we gathered again for a special Roadside Roundup with a renewed spirit to celebrate our good fortune and remember those (http://www.metronation.net/extras/GRTribute.wmv) who are part of our many fond memories of our match day festivities together. A special shout out goes to "Mama Bull" and her husband, John, who treated our Roundup goers with some homemade paella (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paella)!
With MLS and US Soccer fans still basking in the glory of the MLS All-Stars’ triumph over Chelsea (http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/mls/events/all_star/2006/) last weekend, one of the most impressive clubs, FC Barcelona (http://www.fcbarcelona.com/eng/home-page/home/home.shtml), was wrapping up its highly publicized US Tour in preparation for its upcoming “La Liga” campaign and defense of its Champions League title!
Depending on who you talked to before the match, you could get votes of confidence for the Red Bulls against the European club giants (with Glen from ESC predicting a 3-1 scoreline), or a youth in the know, who predicted a 4-1 scoreline for the visiting “Peach Power!” Hey, if your name is Ronaldinho or you are officially affiliated with the current Champions League champions, then you can wear whatever color you want, right!? Honestly, it was an unusual but sharp Barca kit! In the end, youth triumphed over experience, with the "Spanish Armada" wrapping up its US Tour with a convincing win against the Red Bulls (http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060812&content_id=68964&vkey=news_rbn&fext=.jsp&team=rbn).
Having said that, I do want to commend our Raging Reds for an admirable display of heart and intensity (http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060813&content_id=69029&vkey=news_rbn&fext=.jsp&team=rbn), resulting in a 1-1 scoreline at the half. Oh, did I mention that “The Brucester” made his debut in the technical area as the new head coach and sporting director of Red Bull New York? In addition, newly signed Dema[lisher] Kovalenko (http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060810&content_id=68754&vkey=pr_rbn&fext=.jsp&team=rbn) cracked the Red Bulls’ starting lineup for the first time, which also included Youri Djorkaeff (http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060808&content_id=68540&vkey=news_rbn&fext=.jsp&team=rbn). Honestly, I never dreamed that I would actually cheer for Dema!!!?? Well, he wears the Red Bull colors now, and it is all about the TEAM for us!!
What a way to make an entrance in front of a record-setting crowd at Giants Stadium, (http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060813&content_id=69024&vkey=pr_rbn&fext=.jsp&team=rbn) right?! Regardless, of the outcome, Red Bull fans like us were treated to a fast-paced, high-energy match filled with flair and controversy. While I would have loved to see the boys make a defiant statement to the world, Barca’s ball possession wore down our defense, and the depth of their bench just proved to be insurmountable in the second half. I guess you cannot really hide the difference in the budgets between the two clubs now can you? Nonetheless, the Raging Reds never rolled over. They battled through until the final whistle! WELL DONE!
Some important OFF the pitch . . . in fact, relating to a completely NEW pitch, was shared with us this past week. Rumor has it that Nick Sakiewicz was going to rename the Red Bull Park groundbreaking ceremony (http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060812&content_id=68930&vkey=news_rbn&fext=.jsp&team=rbn) the “Red Bull Park Ball-Busting Charade” with dignitaries using gold-plated sledge hammers and a special dedication to the skeptics. Nick and the rest of the AEG team took a lot of heat (arguable undeserved) over the years about this, but should be commended in the end. Again, thank you, Nick et al, for your perseverance and focus to realize this vision, which will benefit ALL Red Bull fans, even the non-believers! :p
For the first time, RBN Nationals continued to celebrate outside, after the match and passing through the Bull’s Corner Pub. We had a little 4v4 tournament going on with one of the lamp posts serving as the “goal.” At that point, any one of the participants, especially “Spooge Boy” was risking an unfriendly and abrupt encounter with the post. Luckily, no harm, no foul . . . well, there were some fouls. AHEM! Also, Los’ buddy, Jimmy, can tell you the symptoms of cheering for Barca in The Corral. ;) We also had the opportunity to play Good Samaritan to some unfortunate souls (who will remain anonymous for obvious reasons):
1) One guy lost his car and was walking around for 3 hours after the match trying to find it. He swore it was in Lot 17, but he was actually in 6.
2) Another group of young men were trying to get into their own car after apparently breaking off the key inside the door lock. Hmmmmm Of course, patrolling NJSEA staff had no interest in helping (no surprise there), so we did.
Getting back ON the pitch . . . the New York Red Bulls are lucky enough to go head-to-head against East Conference leaders DC Unite this Wednesday night in league play, then a week later in US Open Cup play, both at RFK. GRRRrrrr . . . As long as Steve Nash does not start in goal (http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060810&content_id=68766&vkey=news_rbn&fext=.jsp&team=rbn), I think the confidence gained against FC Barcelona should serve our boys well in both encounters. Kansas City leapfrogged us during our lull in league play and the Revs continue to chase DC for pole position. However, the New York Red Bulls have two games in hand compared with both the Wizards and the Revs; with less than 3 points separating us from either opponent. Mathematically, our Raging Reds are poised to catch DC United in the season stretch!
We now have Bruce, Dema, and Youri is back. This Wednesday AND the next should be VERY interesting . . . DON’T MISS OUT!
YIRB,
CT
PS
I cannot conclude this BULLog without briefly mentioning that the NJSEA security staff was once again pathetically apathetic. They respond more quickly to complaints about TRUE RED BULL FANS standing (compared with “here tonight, gone forever” fans) than they do to somebody getting potentially seriously injured in aisle way. The best response you can get out of the nearest guy is, “What do you want me to do about it?!” while folding his arms. Nice! Very professional! It is no secret that there is no love lost between Giants Stadium and REAL FOOTBALL fans. So, Red Bull Park cannot come soon enough!
PPS
Make sure you visit the current BEV installment (http://metronation.net/gallery/TwistsofFate), again. I will have an ever-popular Bull’s Eye video production update, and likely some additional photos, uploaded very soon!
It goes without saying, “Use it, but please do not abuse it.” I am all for free speech, but try really, really, really hard not to be a jerk, OK?! Unfortunately, they are a dime a dozen in our world.
This past month has been an unpredictable one for us, in both positive and negative ways. Nevertheless, we gathered again for a special Roadside Roundup with a renewed spirit to celebrate our good fortune and remember those (http://www.metronation.net/extras/GRTribute.wmv) who are part of our many fond memories of our match day festivities together. A special shout out goes to "Mama Bull" and her husband, John, who treated our Roundup goers with some homemade paella (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paella)!
With MLS and US Soccer fans still basking in the glory of the MLS All-Stars’ triumph over Chelsea (http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/mls/events/all_star/2006/) last weekend, one of the most impressive clubs, FC Barcelona (http://www.fcbarcelona.com/eng/home-page/home/home.shtml), was wrapping up its highly publicized US Tour in preparation for its upcoming “La Liga” campaign and defense of its Champions League title!
Depending on who you talked to before the match, you could get votes of confidence for the Red Bulls against the European club giants (with Glen from ESC predicting a 3-1 scoreline), or a youth in the know, who predicted a 4-1 scoreline for the visiting “Peach Power!” Hey, if your name is Ronaldinho or you are officially affiliated with the current Champions League champions, then you can wear whatever color you want, right!? Honestly, it was an unusual but sharp Barca kit! In the end, youth triumphed over experience, with the "Spanish Armada" wrapping up its US Tour with a convincing win against the Red Bulls (http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060812&content_id=68964&vkey=news_rbn&fext=.jsp&team=rbn).
Having said that, I do want to commend our Raging Reds for an admirable display of heart and intensity (http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060813&content_id=69029&vkey=news_rbn&fext=.jsp&team=rbn), resulting in a 1-1 scoreline at the half. Oh, did I mention that “The Brucester” made his debut in the technical area as the new head coach and sporting director of Red Bull New York? In addition, newly signed Dema[lisher] Kovalenko (http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060810&content_id=68754&vkey=pr_rbn&fext=.jsp&team=rbn) cracked the Red Bulls’ starting lineup for the first time, which also included Youri Djorkaeff (http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060808&content_id=68540&vkey=news_rbn&fext=.jsp&team=rbn). Honestly, I never dreamed that I would actually cheer for Dema!!!?? Well, he wears the Red Bull colors now, and it is all about the TEAM for us!!
What a way to make an entrance in front of a record-setting crowd at Giants Stadium, (http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060813&content_id=69024&vkey=pr_rbn&fext=.jsp&team=rbn) right?! Regardless, of the outcome, Red Bull fans like us were treated to a fast-paced, high-energy match filled with flair and controversy. While I would have loved to see the boys make a defiant statement to the world, Barca’s ball possession wore down our defense, and the depth of their bench just proved to be insurmountable in the second half. I guess you cannot really hide the difference in the budgets between the two clubs now can you? Nonetheless, the Raging Reds never rolled over. They battled through until the final whistle! WELL DONE!
Some important OFF the pitch . . . in fact, relating to a completely NEW pitch, was shared with us this past week. Rumor has it that Nick Sakiewicz was going to rename the Red Bull Park groundbreaking ceremony (http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060812&content_id=68930&vkey=news_rbn&fext=.jsp&team=rbn) the “Red Bull Park Ball-Busting Charade” with dignitaries using gold-plated sledge hammers and a special dedication to the skeptics. Nick and the rest of the AEG team took a lot of heat (arguable undeserved) over the years about this, but should be commended in the end. Again, thank you, Nick et al, for your perseverance and focus to realize this vision, which will benefit ALL Red Bull fans, even the non-believers! :p
For the first time, RBN Nationals continued to celebrate outside, after the match and passing through the Bull’s Corner Pub. We had a little 4v4 tournament going on with one of the lamp posts serving as the “goal.” At that point, any one of the participants, especially “Spooge Boy” was risking an unfriendly and abrupt encounter with the post. Luckily, no harm, no foul . . . well, there were some fouls. AHEM! Also, Los’ buddy, Jimmy, can tell you the symptoms of cheering for Barca in The Corral. ;) We also had the opportunity to play Good Samaritan to some unfortunate souls (who will remain anonymous for obvious reasons):
1) One guy lost his car and was walking around for 3 hours after the match trying to find it. He swore it was in Lot 17, but he was actually in 6.
2) Another group of young men were trying to get into their own car after apparently breaking off the key inside the door lock. Hmmmmm Of course, patrolling NJSEA staff had no interest in helping (no surprise there), so we did.
Getting back ON the pitch . . . the New York Red Bulls are lucky enough to go head-to-head against East Conference leaders DC Unite this Wednesday night in league play, then a week later in US Open Cup play, both at RFK. GRRRrrrr . . . As long as Steve Nash does not start in goal (http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060810&content_id=68766&vkey=news_rbn&fext=.jsp&team=rbn), I think the confidence gained against FC Barcelona should serve our boys well in both encounters. Kansas City leapfrogged us during our lull in league play and the Revs continue to chase DC for pole position. However, the New York Red Bulls have two games in hand compared with both the Wizards and the Revs; with less than 3 points separating us from either opponent. Mathematically, our Raging Reds are poised to catch DC United in the season stretch!
We now have Bruce, Dema, and Youri is back. This Wednesday AND the next should be VERY interesting . . . DON’T MISS OUT!
YIRB,
CT
PS
I cannot conclude this BULLog without briefly mentioning that the NJSEA security staff was once again pathetically apathetic. They respond more quickly to complaints about TRUE RED BULL FANS standing (compared with “here tonight, gone forever” fans) than they do to somebody getting potentially seriously injured in aisle way. The best response you can get out of the nearest guy is, “What do you want me to do about it?!” while folding his arms. Nice! Very professional! It is no secret that there is no love lost between Giants Stadium and REAL FOOTBALL fans. So, Red Bull Park cannot come soon enough!
PPS
Make sure you visit the current BEV installment (http://metronation.net/gallery/TwistsofFate), again. I will have an ever-popular Bull’s Eye video production update, and likely some additional photos, uploaded very soon!