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.

2008 Fourth Round Draft Pick, and Red Bull Midfielder David Roth sat down with us recently to discuss . . . well . . . life. Topics ranged from his preseason knee injury, surgery and its progress, to the life of a College kid moving up the ranks to the Pro Game. Roth is currently out indefinitely for the Bulls, whom are sorely missing another presence at midfield.

And for those who are in the know, David has a very heavy Pickles the Drummer of Dethklok kind of midwestern accent. So picture that, and read on . . .

.

DM:Dave with the Offside here, and I am with Red Bulls Midfield rookie David Roth. How are you doing boss?

ROTH: Awesome. Happy to be here, happy to be here.

DM: First off, how is the knee?

ROTH: Its going good. I am 6 weeks in after surgery today (April 2nd). The trainer has been doing great with me. I am supposed to be back sometime in May, not sure exactly when, but I am trying to start jogging (April 7th). I guess once you start jogging its all down hill from there.

DM: David take me through the draft process and what it was like going through that whole ordeal coming out of college.

ROTH: I didn’t really know what to expect on draft day. I had some pretty good insights from some of the people that were there at the combine. Actually, my head coach, former coach, was at the combine and told me I had some pretty good feedback from some of the coaches, so I was decently confident I was going to be drafted. But on the day of, I had to wait for the fourth round, and I waited a little longer than I thought I would, started to get a little nervous, things started to get a little antsy, but once I finally heard my name, and I got drafted – a big sigh of relief. I was really hoping to go to New York to be honest. I was hoping to stay in either New York or Chicago, and I got picked to New York, and it was so awesome. Jeff Agoos called and I was so pumped to talk to him, my mom, my dad called, all my family . . . it was great. A great moment for me. I had a big party there, all my college buddies were there, the rest of my teammates, so it was a cool feeling for me, a very cool feeling . . .

DM: I can’t even imagine. Moving into your career, what was camp with a coach like Juan Carlos Osorio like, as opposed to what you went through in college?

ROTH: The biggest difference between the preseason between college and the one we went through here was that College is so jam packed. The preseason is two weeks and we start the games. Here, the preseason is more drawn out, and its a lot more enjoyable because you play a lot more soccer instead of just doing all this fitness, running and running and running, trying to get prepared and conditioned for soccer. It was definitely been an easy transition. Coach really knows what he is doing, and when guys are starting to get worn, and he has been there, he knows what to do.

DM: How would you compare the change in the level of coaching from the college to the pros?

ROTH: I would say that it’s a little bit more experienced. Like Coach Osorio has been coaching for a long time, has seen players at their highest level, and that is the biggest difference between the college level. The kids, the players aren’t as good in college so the coaches haven’t been around players of this (MLS) kind of caliber. And its obvious. Coach is very professional in the way he presents himself and it carries over into the game. We kind of emulate the way he carries himself, and it spreads throughout the team.

DM: What would you consider the best aspect of your game?

ROTH: I think I am a really smart player. I don’t try to play outside of my abilities, I read the game pretty well, so I feel like I am able to try to keep up with the Juan Pablo Angels, and the Claudio Reynas in the way I read the game, not exactly my athletic ability. The way I see the game makes me able to adjust.

DM: Wow, big words. Very well. And in your stay here, who has been the person to take you in, make friends with, on the team so far?

ROTH: I bond with my roommate Luke Sassano pretty good, he is a good guy, California – we have that same type of laid back mentality. So he is pretty cool. Ive been hanging out with Seth Stammler and Goldthwaite, those guys are pretty cool. We are mid westerners, so we kinda stick together. Big St. Louis fan and all . . .

DM: Really? What do you think of their prospects this year?

ROTH: The Cardinals?

DM: Yea

ROTH: I don’t think we are looking too good, but the whole NL Central isn’t looking so good, so we can hang. But we do have the best player in baseball – Albert Pujols.

DM: I think people in New York might argue that point. Speaking of which, how has the adjustment to New York been for you?

ROTH: Its been easy, not too bad. St Louis is certainly not a city like this. I was in Chicago, and that was kind of a transition city. But I am loving it man, I love the hustle and bustle and the people around here, I love the atmosphere, so its been pretty cool.

DM: Ok a couple of last questions for you . . . The Red Bulls will win the MLS Cup if . . .

ROTH: We will win the MLS Cup if . . . Juan Pablo Angel stays healthy, and is able to score. A LOT . . .

DM: Fair enough. The Red Bulls have no chance of making it to the MLS Cup if . . .

ROTH: Um. If we get a lot of bad luck. We have the team to do it this year, we’ve got the Coach to do it, and barring a lot of unfortunate circumstances, we should take the whole thing this year.

DM: Love the confidence. Thanks for taking the time with us today.

Roth was someone whom intrigued me. I love to hear unique tales of transition and change, and Roth embodies that. To go from College, to the pros, just to get injured at a time when he must be thinking “There is plenty of playing time to be had right now” has to be rough, but his infectious optimism and pride in his game seems to be taking him through this.

We await the first appearance of Roth with great anticipation. Ill be rooting for em.

EDITORS NOTE: I was fortunate enough to speak to Roth post game this Saturday after the Revs game, where he stated he is still about a month away. He did not look happy about it at all, but who can blame him? Hopefully, he can see some pitch time come late May/early June.

Take a look for yourself.

OLD:

NEW:

My guess is that management wanted the Bulls in the logo to resemble our play on the field this year . . . static.

But I digress.

Here is another poll for you lovely people. Which logo do you like best?

So the games were over! After I received a thorough beating in FIFA 08, we went off to chat a little bit about gaming, his soccer future, as well as the current state of the Red Bulls and more. Enjoy!




FIFA 08



DM: So, first of all, congrats on being the cover boy for FIFA 08! How does it feel?

JOZY: Its great, definitely an honor to be (cover boy) on a game that I’ve followed for so many years, you know, especially being along side Ronaldihno and Ochoa, two great players . . . its a real honor.

DM: So, after that thorough beating, I suppose you have played FIFA for a long time?

JOZY: I’ve been playing FIFA since roughly 96.

DM: I remember playing with pure National teams back then . . . USA, Argentina . . . any old school fav’s?

JOZY: No not really, I dont remember man, I would mostly play European teams . . . like I said, Ive been playing a long time.

DM: And what did you think about your characters portrayal in FIFA 07 as compared to 08?

JOZY: I was in 07?

DM:Yea, you were actually added on later to the game in most newer versions. I think you had like a 50 rating.

JOZY: Look at that. And in one season I made up 18 points!

DM: So your happy with the way your character came out for this game?

JOZY: Oh absolutely, I am happy, and its fun. I am a threat, constant, every 90 minutes. . . . I love it. Im happy.

DM: Yea, and from your earlier display, JP Angel is always sitting there at the slot waiting to get those rebounds!

JOZY: Yea, its gonna be a really good combination.

DM: Yea, really good combination.




THE PAST YEAR



DM: So tell me Jozy, its been a crazy year. I mean, look at where you are now! I remember you coming in late last year, debuting against DC, then Columbus, and now you are here, cover boy for the new FIFA. What has this last year meant to you?

JOZY: Oh its meant the world to me. Its been a rollercoaster year of highs and lows, its been great. Actually, this is just the beginning. I want to still go alot longer in my career, and do alot more big things.

DM: Absolutely. A good example of that was the Under 20’s (World Cup). What was your experience with the Under 20 like?

JOZY: Great. It was a great experience at the World Cup. To play with the best people, my age, I took alot from it. I loved it.

DM: I am sure that in this time, you had some words with Adu about his future, considering that he was looking at the move overseas, and in turn, yours. Did he have any friendly advice or insight. for you as you begin development, and growth in the international scene?

JOZY: He just told me to stay up, stay on top, and keep playing well. And as for him, you know, I am very proud of him. He has come a long way. He is in Europe now . . .

DM: Yea, he got a goal a week or two ago . . . .

JOZY: Yea, playing for a great team.




HIS DEVELOPMENT WITH RBNY



DM: Absolutely. So you are showing tremendous growth with the team this season. What would you contribute that to?

JOZY: Red Bull has been very supportive of me, being patient with me . . . . and they are very confident of my abilities, on and off the field. That along with the support of my family and teammates has really helped out my growth.

DM: More specifically, this season, there has been a noticeable difference in your first touch and finish. Which coach, player, person, what have you, has contributed most to this?

JOZY: Well I think John Harkes has been huge helping me throughout (my development). You know, he helped me man, along with Claudio and Juan Pablo. I mean, you see everyday in soccer . . . if that first touch is good . . . if you have a good first touch on half the plays, it will leave you in good goal scoring positions. Those guys have helped me alot.

DM: Absolutely, and funny you mention it, but I was going to ask specifically about Mathis, Reyna, Angel – how have they helped you in your development and in the development of this team?

JOZY: They have been huge. They know alot about the game. They are veterans of the game. They just explain to me all the little things I need to do to be effective. You know, with that, I use those tools to improve upon my game

DM: Hows your relationship with the organization, Coach Bruce . . .

JOZY: Oh, first class relationship with all my teammates, coaches, players, trainers, workers, office workers, water boys, altar boys. *chuckles* Nah, I am good with everybody. I love this organization. That is my home right now, and hopefully will be for a little bit longer.

DM: Ok, some quick questions for ya. Who is your favorite person to hang with on the team?

JOZY: OH MAN! Dane Richards is my boy man. Champion lifestyle, we both live it!

DM: Favorite place to play?

JOZY: I’de say Giants Stadium.

DM: Really?

JOZY: Seriously. I dont have a problem with it. The fans are starting to file in. Its really not a bad atmosphere.




CURRENT STATE OF RBNY


DM: Well, turning our attentions to the season on hand, you guys started off on fire. Then you cooled off significantly. Then emotions ran high again for the Beckham game, only for us now to be mired in a 7 game winless streak. What do you attribute that to?

JOZY: Well, we have had alot of injuries. We are finally getting healthy again, and I think, when healthy, this team is one of the better teams in the league. Now, come the playoff time, its what alot of people are worried about. We are worried about these last three games, but we are also worried about getting our place ready for the playoffs and what we will go up against.

DM: Sure. Now having your destiny in your own hands against TFC, does it bother you on any level to have backed into the playoffs the way you did, or is just being there enough?

JOZY: Not at all. I mean, us being the playoffs right now without having a win is due to what we did early, you know. Opening the season was huge for us, I mean, beating a bunch of top teams like Dallas and Houston, and those big wins came into play . . . now. Had we lost those games or dropped those games, right now, we wouldn’t be in the position we are in right now.

DM: So there really isnt much of a preference for an opponent?

JOZY: No no preference. To me, every team is about the same in the league. Some play better together, you know, as others do better than others. I mean, I think we can beat any team, any time . . . .

DM: I can imagine . . . On an off note, alot of us Red Bull fans are afraid your leaving us bro . . .

JOZY: I am not going anywhere really. I am comfortable right now with Red Bull and there is no rush for me to leave this great organization.

DM: Well, one more question before our times up . . . playoff predictions?

JOZY: Playoffs? Um. I think, you know, if Red Bull . . . if we sit down, and really come together . . . and really realize what we have at hand here with the playoffs . . . . . I think, you know, I wouldnt be surprised if we win the MLS Cup

DM: Yes! That is what we want to here man! Jozy, thanks again, a great interview. We appreciate your time.

JOZY: Anytime man . . . .

===================================================

In the end . . . .

Need I say i was impressed? Jozy is 17 by number only. And we are lucky to have him on our side (club and country!).

I hope you all enjoy the write up and the interview. Leave any comments below (btw, I know alot of you are getting filtered – dont worry. “they” are working on it)




Pick up FIFA, head to the last home game of the season, OCTOBER 13th v. THE WIZARDS, and lets give the boys a proper pick me up before the playoffs come along!

AND FIFA 08 IS READY FOR YOUR GAME CONSOLES!

JOZY ALTIDORE IS ON THE COVER, SO NEW YORK BETTER REPRESENT!

. . . . And as for me?

Well, I may have a couple of surprise interviews, and some more EA related stuff to share. Tune in tommorrow night for more.

EVERYONE ENJOY!

. . . . . And when you are all good enough, maybe I can set up a FIFA tournament and REALLY teach you all how to play . . . . .