- The CONCACAF Champions League draw is set, and the Bulls face their first challenge in the form of the W Connection of Trinidad and Tobago. The first match will be away for the Bulls, on July 30, and the home half will be played on the 5th of August. A tournament of this magnitude, against a small fish in the regions big pond may be just the medicine the Bulls need. Any wins at this point would be a morale boost for the team.

- Jozy has posted a new blog up, showing love to the traveling “Metrostars” fans and sharing his first hand insight on the Confederations Cup.

- Kristian Dyer at ESPN pulls no punches, as he crucifies the Pietravallo signing and uses it as the antithesis epitome of what the Bulls have done wrong this season.

- Ernst Öbster. Some of you may recognize the name. Last year, Red Bull scrimmaged with their sister team in Austria. Two things came out of that game. One was an immediate disdain for the Austrians, as they tackled Dane Richards out of the Bulls starting 11. The other was Juan Carlos Osorio’s gushing over Ernst Öbster. Well, he is in training with the Red Bulls this week. Don’t get too excited though; it seems he is only staying fit for the Champions League starting this July.

- The same report reveals Mike Petke accumulated 2 yellow cards against TFC, making him ineligible for the teams clash this weekend.

- Injury report: Celades, Goldthwaite, Rojas and Kandji are all questionable for this weekend, with Dane Richards listed as “probable.”

- Here is a good series of reads: Michael Lewis of BAS is chronicling his time in South Africa, and doing it with the supporters in mind. Check out what he thinks of the host nations amenities before you buy a plane ticket!

- Finally, Kiwi Andrew Boyens is in the Confederations Cup, and was given a rough welcome by Torres and Villa as Spain destroyed NZ 5-0. Check out our poor Kiwi desperately looking for answers against the best team in the world. Its too bad – he is a real nice guy!

Last year, the team of David Roth, Sinisa Ubpiaparipovic, Danleigh Borman and Luke Sassano (aka “The Hot Carls”) took the ultimate prize in the competition, laying all others to waste. This year, they will be defending their titles against a new field of opposition, including Andrew Boyens, Albert Celades, Danny Cepero, Carlos Johnson, Macoumba Kandji, Carlos Mendes, Dominic Oduro, Alfredo Pacheco, Mike Petke, Juan Pietravallo, Jorge Rojas, Khano Smith, John Wolyniec, Nick Zimmerman, Assistant Coach Richie Williams and Head Coach Juan Carlos Osorio. It is open to the public, so come on down, grab a beer or two, and enjoy the show.

Here is whats going down in RB Nation:

- After a stellar performance this week, Big Mac Kandji, one half of the KJP (Kandji/Juan Pablo tandem), is the MLS Player of the Week. Bulls fans are beginning to see the potential that was expected when he signed on the team a year ago. Finding a good striking partner helps too.

- The true underground fan has been following the long frustrating saga shrouding the Red Bulls Academy and MLS rules, which basically sanctioned the pilfering of home talent by other teams. Well, this week, the rules have changed, and wouldn’t you know it; Johnny Exantus and Dilly Duka are in practice on trial. Check out Brian Lewis take on things here.

- Matt Mbuta has been loaned out to the Richmond Kickers. Seems like USL2 is the new reserve league.

- Good news! Our favorite Kiwi Andrew Boyens has been called up for national team action. Bad news! He will miss alot of June, with the New Zealand squad facing alot of action.

Here is some of the latest news surrounding the Bulls today:

- So here is your Carlos Johnson update (since nothing can ever be done easy around here . . . ). Johnson has signed a contract with the Red Bulls through a Colombian agent that he recently took on. The problem? His former agent still has exclusivity with her client, or so she claims. According to the NY Times article, “Jan H. Schiefloe, a California-based agent, claims that the Red Bulls directed Johnson to a Colombian agent, Reuben Caicedo.” This has caused her to speak out against Red Bull, in particular, Jeff Agoos. All I care about is seeing Johnson in an RBNY kit as soon as possible. And if this gets in the way, I am sure there will be plenty of RBNY fans voicing out their displeasure.

- And in a rare piece of MLS insight, the article also highlights Johnson’s salary information: “Johnson, 24, signed a one-year contract, with a three-year option, with the Red Bulls for a base salary of $90,000 and a $53,000 roster bonus this year, increasing to $119,790 in 2012. The deal included incentives that could exceed $40,000 a year.”

- It is now official (and I wish I could have reported this when I found out weeks ago!) – The Red Bulls are honoring current season ticket holders by freezing their season ticket package prices for the 2010 season! Take a read here.

- Jack Bell at the New York Times has a wonderful write up on the past, present and future of Red Bull Arena, featuring some quotes from Mr. Erik Stover. Click here for the write up.

- Steve Goff reports the pending MLS return of US National Team Defender and New Jersey product, Gregg Berhaltar. Anyone interested?

- Ives has his MLS soccer rankings up for this week. The good news? Red Bulls aren’t the bottom of the barrell (they are just 13th!). The bad news? This weeks opponent, the Chicago Fire, are #1. Oh joy.

- And finally . . . I have to say that I am quite pleased with RBNY’s efforts to advertise the team in a variety of different ways. The “Bulls on Parade,” for as hokey as some people claimed it was, generated a viral “weird” factor that got peoples attentions. This latest effort is very cool – taking a high powered projector into the city, and having it run RBNY highlights the whole way through, while the street team does its juggling in front of it. For a team that has long desired a vamping of its advertising techniques, this year, they are taking it to a new level. Check out the video below!

New York Red Bulls: Projections from Red Bulls Reader on Vimeo.

*** Courtesy of RedBullsReader ***

img. credit: Laurent Gillieron/AP Photo

Here are some news tidbits that may have been lost in the cracks.

- We will lead off with the man whom the rest of the world feels invented MLS; David Beckham. Only in the world of Major League Soccer can a trade made by an opposing team and some overseas megapower effect the actual season schedule of some team that has nothing to do with it. That is the case with the Red Bulls. As part of the Beckham loan deal, AC Milan will be making an impromptu visit to Los Angeles for a friendly against Beckhams sort of current team. Because of this game, the Red Bulls/Galaxy game at Giant Stadium, scheduled for July 18th, 2009, will fall on Thursday, July 16th.

Take that in for a minute; a meaningless friendly has now effectively changed the landscape of the MLS regular season – you know, the one for that piece of tin called “The MLS Cup.” Taking priority for a friendly game over your regular season? And I wonder why these Eurosnobs trash our league . . .

- RBNY put out a press release stating Jon Conway and Jeff Parke’s suspension terms have been modified by Don Garber, league commish, thanks to an appeal by the players union. Either player may participate in team training during the regular season now. For Parke, that means nothing, as he continues to roam Europe for a steady gig. For Conway, though, it is an opportunity he can ill afford to squander. This modification will enable Conway to make a harder, more driven push to becoming the eventual team starter. Danny Cepero clearly holds his fate in his hands, and won’t be looking to make Conways life any easier. Should be interesting to watch this melodrama play out as the season unfolds.

- Yes, the Bulls have signed Celades. But what about Pacheco? Take it easy everyone; it is MLS tradition to keep fans hanging in the wind while the league analysis a transaction for approval. I still feel Pacheco will be in an RBNY uniform sooner rather than later. And since his mom lives in LA, his route to a green card may be the only thing the team and the league is waiting for to announce the arrival. Mind you, Pacheco is still match fit, competing for his team in El Salvador. He should be able to make a seamless physical transition. Lets just hope he picks up on Osorio’s gameplan just as fast.

- Carlos Johnson’s signing may happen as early as this week. Keep your fingers crossed on that one . . .

- A reminder: New York Red Bulls vs. Crystal Palace Baltimore friendly tonight at 7. A few RBNY fans will be making their way down to Annapolis for the game. If anyone wants to share some video for the blog, let me know, and Ill give ya full credit.

- Finally, TheOffside homepage is featuring a quick preview of the MLS season, team by team. My post is right here, so take a click.

That’s all for now everyone! Share your thoughts on this crap below.

This week, I am “dumping” a lot of stuff on ya’. So get your “open new tab” buttons ready! Links galore are coming your way!

- We start off with the slowly dying publication known as “The New York Times.” Some of you may have heard of it. Anyway, Danny Cepero has taken over Jozy Altidores slot as the NYT Pro Soccer blogger, and has put up a beautiful, must read piece on the less than glamorous lifestyle of a star MLS player. It is actually very endearing. Check it out.

- Have you heard about the season opener in Seattle against the Sounders? It’s a sold out affair. Take that Mariners!

- Here is a link talking about Becks return (and exit). If all goes as planned (which I dont think will happen), his first game back will be against the Red Bulls. My favorite part of the link? “To a July 18 game at the New York Red Bulls, in the suffocating heat of the East Coast summer and on artificial turf (both of which he loathes).” Good. The booing won’t make it any easier. If it happens.

- How close is Celades to signing with the Bulls? This Close.

- Jeff Parke has resurfaced overseas, this time on trial at Anderlecht. This is one blogger that has his fingers crossed for him. Go Jeff!

- American Soccer Blogging Godfather Ives Galarcep reports two Boca Juniors products are currently training with the RB organization; Nicolas Villafane and Gabriel Quirulef. I hope these two work out better than past bosteros. I am one Boca fan with his fingers crossed.

- And speaking of the backlines, MLS has a good article up about the possible facelift that is underway in the Red Bulls defense. A definite read for a Wednesday morning.

- And finally, the Bulls roster is under compliance. From here on out, every player they sign will mean a player released. Let the games begin.

Have a great day everyone! Ill be back later if anything exciting pops.

Very little time on my hands, so lets get this show on the road. Plenty of good news around the Bulls, so lets dive right in, shall we?

- The Bulls are heading towards Argentina for training. Though there will be trialists there, it will only be a handful. The cool news for this Argie is that the Bulls will be squaring off with Velez Sarsfield and Argentinos Jrs. Exciting stuff indeed! And another friendly may be in the mix as well (crossing fingers for Boca, crossing fingers for Boca . . . . )

- Juan Pablo Angel has resigned, and now, my second favorite player on the team is locked up to a multiple year deal. Dane Richards will be running around defenders for a few more years in an RB kit, and I couldn’t be happier.

- Speaking of signing fan favorites, how is this for a development; Danny Cepero has signed a senior contract with the club as well!

- Anyone think this is all great timing, especially after fan favorite Dave Roth was let go?

- Now with all this good news, a little cold water needs to be thrown down the collective backs of RB fans, just to keep ‘em level, right? Well, SBI reports Red Bull draft pick Babajide Ogunbiyi is holding out for a senior roster spot. Though I understand his stance against the pittance that is a developmental contract, the smart move would have been to go to camp, show his worth, and have RB realize that he is indeed worth the dough. This isn’t the NFL; draft picks come and go like boxer briefs. Jide is taking a risk here that may hurt a career that hasn’t even begun yet.

None

CONTENDERS:

Jon Conway
Danny Cepero
Terry Boss
Caleb Patterson-Sewell

OVERVIEW:

Continuing our “Preseason Battles” analysis, this week we focus our spotlight on the back line. Goalkeeping has been a major plus for the Red Bulls these past few seasons, anchored by the great and unexpected work of Jon Conway, a career back up that has seemingly blossomed since being given the starters job.

Unfortunately for Conway, he and former Red Bulls defender Jeff Parke were given the dubious honor of being MLS first performance enhancing cheats (just to be clear, the accusations continue to maintain that this was an over the counter supplement).

This opened the door for a keeper who immediately stole the hearts and voices of the Red Bull supporters, Danny Cepero. Noticabely shorter, smaller and younger than Conway, Cepero makes up for his physical limits with a loud voice on the backline and an equally powerful ability to react, saving the Bulls down the playoff run all the way into the MLS Cup.

These two will be battling it out for the starters position. And considering the fact Conway’s real crime was being ignorant and not asking the consultation of the teams trainers before he devoured supplements, it would be interesting to see if this mind lapse, at such a significant part of the season, would result in Conway losing the starters job all together. After all, the age old adage in sports is that a starter will never lose his spot due to injury or circumstances beyond their control. How will Osorio treat the competition for the backline?

Right behind these two front runners are the back guys holding up the fort; Terry Boss and Caleb Patterson-Sewell. Terry Boss, best known for being the brother of the New York Giants own Kevin Boss, has been a standout keeper in USL2, leading Charlotte to the finals before coming to the Bulls. Caleb Patterson-Sewell is best know for his stellar performance in the second half of a friendly player last year against Barcelona. Jon Conway let in 4 goals, and Sewell started the second. It took Barca over a half hour to find the back of the net again, but to the point, Sewell was turning away shot after shot in a memorable performance.

Now, if I were to play the part of Nostradamus today, I would make the following predictions:

- Conway has the leg up on the starting duties since he never really lost them to begin with. But at the slightest sign of weakness, Cepero will be given his shot, and Conway may be used as trade bait in a league that is desperate for quality backline play.

- Sewell beats out Boss for that third keeper role. From the little we have seen of Caleb, and the usual praise we hear, it would be a shock to think Boss would beat the Aussi out. Caleb had his moment in the spotlight last season, stands at 6′3″, and is 7 years Bosses minor. Though Boss has that Giant Stadium connection, I think Patterson may have the inside track in this one.

- Now, both Cepero and Sewell were signed to developmental contracts last season. Clearly, with this years 4 developmental players per roster rule, only one of them could be afforded to be given this unenviable distinction. I would bet on Cepero being made senior, and Sewell continuing another season as the other kind of “DP.”

SENIOR SPOTS: 2 (6/24 in our analysis so far)
DEVELOPMENTAL: 1/4

Well, here is how that conversation went:

K – R u doing USA game?

Dave- yo! I just got in from work, gonna have to step out soon, where you watching it?

K - i just got on the NJB bus so imma be watching it from sams army…. i hope i will see the game….

Dave – nah man I freakin wish I could go, toooooo much work brother, but I gave a lil dough to NJB, so I hope you guys represent me well

K - haha ill sing my lungs out haha…. i think u need a diferent job…. u need some more relaxing man

“K” – you have no idea brother.

Tommorrow I will be releasing the second part of our preseason look into the depth charts, this time highlighting the Keepers. For now, I once again give you the relevant links of the day:

- Dane Richards has once again been tapped for some international action, as Jamaica prepares for the World Cup Eliminatories.

- The Red Bulls will be facing off against Crystal Palace March 12th of last year. This is the same Crystal Palace, mind you, that wiped the Bulls faces in the dirt during last seasons US Cup Tourney.

- A team of reserves and veterans got waxed by the United States U-17 team 1-0 during preseason camp. Ives is all over it like a blanket of snow.

- Into the Red Bulls? Into SnowBoarding? Well, maybe this will interest you then!

- BAD ECONOMY SAVINGS ALERT!!!!!!!!! MLSgear has a great deal on 07 Red Bull Replica jerseys – ONLY $19.95 WHILE SUPPLY LASTS!!!! GO GET IT!

Here are some morning links to wet your appetite and start the conversation moving.

By the way – the highlight of the night? The Mike Petke chants. It was a great welcome back for a great player.

Check these:

- Big Soccer has the entire Erik Stover video online. Click here to check it out.

- First Touch got in contact with Mike Petke, and gave a great interview with the Metro Legend. Check it.

- And for those of you who were wondering who are the 9 players that made it to the next round of Red Bull preseason trials, click here! The Red Bull Reader is, as always, all over it.

For instance . . . .

GABE CICHERO FINDS A NEW JOB

I found this nugget out before it made the US Blogosphere – and I skipped out on reporting it, since I figured no one would care. But for those that do (including our VinoTinto fan Gabriel), Cichero is back in Venezuela, getting a crack at a starting spot for Caracas.

The End.

Or how about this gem:

RED BULLS MERCH ON SALE!

The Red Bulls are offering deep discounts with some promo code on an online catalog. It is supposed to be for season ticket holders only I believe, but if I find this thing out, I will pass the info down to all of you holiday shoppers.

X-mas shopping not your thing? Well, RB land in all its offseason glory brings you –

MORE ANGEL TO RIVER PLATE RUMORS

River is seriously grasping at straws. Reports out of Argentina state that River is looking into not 1, but 2 DP players in MLS. Namely? Gallardo and Juan Pablo Angel. Um. Unlikely. Besides, I think I have given las gallinas enough pub on these pages.

And if baseless rumors are not your thing, and your looking for concrete facts and figures, don’t worry, because . . . .

WE HAVE NOTHING NEW TO REPORT ON DAVE VAN DEN BERGH.

Really. We don’t.

Oh but the excitement doesn’t cease at TORB! For instance . . .

I AM CREATING RED BULL PLAYERS

This is the height of geekdom. I am a 28 year old man who still loves sporting video games. Don’t ask. My latest purchase is the WWE’s offering RAW v. SMACKDOWN 2009. In it is a great function where you can make your own wrestler, and the detail is absolutely phenomenal. I have actually figured a way of making an almost true to life RB jersey on the game, and am a few steps away from creating my first Red Bull Wrestler: Juan Pablo Angel. I will show you guys my work if (and when) I complete this thing.

So, as you can see, if ever there was a time to take a snooze as a Red Bulls fan, it will be within now and the new year.

Until then, I will be here lovingly mocking the news, pontificating on my views or subjecting you all to more myspace style photographs.

Cheers.