Well, in that case, here's your answer: people living in southern NJ are in the Philly region/market. Their local media cover the Philly teams so people living there are more likely to follow the teams covered by their region's tv, radio, newspapers, etc. In other words, for much of NJ residents, the Red Bulls, Giants, Jets, Nets & Devils are off their radar as they follow the teams local to them without regard for state lines. Regional (/market) identity is more relevant than state identity when it comes to US sports franchises. And that's why teams playing in northern New Jersey are New York sports teams.
"A rose by any name would smell as sweet." Or as sour -- 15 years without a championship. Still, I love the beggars. The name does not bother me. I am of the rare and wonderful 1% you dismiss with apparant scorn. I still support RB after moving to FL -- watch every match I can -- and I envy your being able to worship at the Holy Ground (aka Red Bull Arena). Name I would prefer: Red Bull Metro, especially if a "real" NY team barges into MLS -- Cosmos or whatever -- with a stadium in Queens. But the wee man in Austria will not give up the NY moniker; it cost too much to buy it, and he wants the NY brand stuck to his products (drink and team). I can see New Yorkers split over the teams. From where I lived in Manhattan, RBA is only about 15 minutes away on the PATH. For those in Queens and L.I. the new location is a clear ad practical choice. But really, what is ever clear and practical when you are a fan?
The name does not bother me in the slightest. I guess I'm also part of the 1%. I'm a rational thinker and have a lot of love for an ownership group that built a 250 million dollar stadium and has put Thierry Herny and Rafa Marquez in my team's starting lineup. I also don't think the name is going to matter long term: witness the 50% attendance increase this year. If you think we (Red Bulls fans) won't admit the name is a problem, then jaded metrostars fans won't admit they're unreasonably critical of Red Bull ownership.
They are unreasonably critical of the name. I started supporting the club when they were named RB. I used to only watch EPL, but got fed up with watching football on TV and needed live football. At this time, the RB had just started RB arena (i always wanted to go to Metro at GS, but couldnt be ********ed driving from LI to GS, although I did attend quite a few. So with the 2 hour train ride, long but at least I could drink and not drive, I started going.
Wrong. I criticize RBNY when they deserve to be criticized. And there is plenty to be critical of. The only thing they have gotten right is the stadium Just as we savaged Nick Sack, Guppy, Bora, Stillitano, Lalas and the rest of the idiots running the franchise pre buyout. We are now the undisputed least successful franchise in MLS history and it was a joint effort that everyone involved with the team from start to finish can bask in.