But despite their woeful past, the New York area has helped in the development of 22% of the United States National team that is heading to South Africa for the World Cup.

You read that right. 22%. (Well, 21.739%, but hey, who’s counting?)

How’s that for a conundrum?

Five of the teams 23 players, at one point or another, made their profession right here in the New York area. And some were cultivated here well before that.

Here is a look at the Tri-State area’s contribution to your 2010 US Men’s National Team:

We will start with New Jersey native, Tim Howard, the cream of the New York crop. Howard was acquired as a 19 year old from the USISL’s North Jersey Imperials, where the Metrostars former goalkeeping coach, Tim Mulqueen, first spotted the young talent. Though he made an appearance for the team in ‘98, he saw his first real action in the dreadful 1999 season, where the team accumulated all of 7 wins for the season (with Howard manning the backline for one of those tallies).

He split his time with the Under 20’s for the Olympics, cultivating the grounds for his future post as the countries premier keeper. By 2001, Howard began to break out into the star everyone anticipated him to be. He was named MLS’s Goalkeeper of the Year, registering four shutouts and 146 saves, and earning himself a trip to the MLS All Star game in the process. His stellar play carried the Metro through 2003 before he caught Manchester United’s eye. They quickly swooped in on the promising youngster, and handing him the reigns to their nets over legendary French star Fabien Barthez.

Now that is what I call a story you can be proud of.

Another New Jersey product, Michael Bradley, also chipped his professional tooth with the Metrostars. After suffering an injury that kept him out of the 2004 season, he came back hungry following season, gaining starting status at the age of 18, and appearing with the team a total of 31 times. Besides being known as a fiery and physical player, he would make his mark with the franchine in 2005 with a dramatic goal against Chivas USA that would propel the team to the playoffs. By 2006, he became the youngest player in MLS history to be sold at transfer to a foreign league.

Next on the list; Ricardo Clark. He began his professional career with the Metrostars in 2003. He was a front runner for MLS rookie of the year that season, and a vital part of the teams success in the midfield. New York would be the place where Clark began to cement his reputation as a hard nosed bulldog with a deft pass, manning the central midfield for the team, representing the team well in regular and postseason play during his time with the team.

New Rochelle’s finest, Edson Buddle, came through both the New York youth systems and it’s professional ranks. Playing the youth leagues in Westchester, and seeing time with the Long Island Rough Riders, Buddle finally made his way to the Pro’s with the Crew. It wasn’t until 2006 where the young, lanky forward plied his profession at home, with the Red Bulls organization. Traded for fan favorite Eddie Gaven and Chris Leitch, the youngster was already behind the eight ball coming into the team, and never had a decent chance to impress. Through various poor appearances, he would be forced out of town by the end of the season through the expansion draft.

And then there is Jozy Altidore. The Jersey Born striker was taken seventeenth overall in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft, with the Metrostars trading up to make his selection. After spending most of the year away from the team earning his High School diploma, Jozy began to see regular minutes by seasons end, scoring three crucial goals in seven appearances, including the lone team goal in an aggregate playoff loss to rivals DC United. He became a household name amongst the Red Bull faithful, and it wouldn’t take long for the rest of the world to take notice. By the 2008 season, Villarreal would buy Jozy for an MLS transfer record $10 million.

And the icing on the cake? Even Coach and New Jersey native Bob Bradley plied his trade here, coaching the team through the 2003-2005 campaigns. How’s that suit you?

So keep this in mind when your United States Men’s National Team takes the pitch; New York owns one fifth of that team. And that is something to be damn proud of.

Share your thoughts on the United States team, the World Cup and your New York Red Bulls, after the jump.

ESPN will be broadcasting a huge showdown between the US and a surging Costa Rica at Estadio Saprissa. You want to know how hardcore this game is? Look no further than United States Legend, Eric Wynalda, who gave his take of the game on Facebook:

USA vs Costa Rica tonight at 7pm (west coast). By far, the hardest place to play in our region. Gotta get in, get it done and get the hell out of there before they start throwing batteries inside of baggies full of calves blood. (yes that really happens.)

You feel me? This one is going to be a doozy.

And this game also promises to highlight some of the Metro Bulls Alumni. Lead by Coach Bob Bradley, the team may feature some time with Ricardo Clark (who will be filling the injured Maurice Edu’s spot), Michael Bradley, Tim Howard, Marvell Wynne and Jozy Altidore against a strong Costa Rican side. It’s like cheering for two of your favorite teams at once (or something like that).

Catch the game tonight, 9:30pm (pregame) on ESPN2.

(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

I will have a game preview up for tomorrow most likely, but after a horrible and turbulant flight, all I want to do is hit the hay.

I am now in Houston Texas for Wrestlemania (and for that Booker T Legends of Wrestling event, the Ring of Honor Event, and the induction of Stone Cold to the Hall of Fame).

Forgive what will be my lack of posting. Either way, I will do my best to update the site as much as possible.

For a bit of RBNY news, Brian Lewis at the Post is reporting the possibility of Celades and Carlos Johnson debuting this weekend – what a coo!

And also, big ups to our boy Jozy Altidore for his hat trick, along with former Metros Tim Howard and Michael Bradley who are really holding things down at the National Team level.

Its good to be Metro Bull.

Ill be back tomorrow! Time to take a nap!

Here it is in a nutshell – MLS will get 20% of the transfer amount ($1 mil). Out of that, the Red Bulls would theoretically receive the full 500k allocation. But nothing has been made official yet. And with the way this league changes its rules, you would be wise not to hold your breath for any extra money going the Austrian Energy Drink Moguls way.

All this money, and nowhere to spend it. Maybe they will pull a TFC and invest in some grass to finish off this Giant Stadium season? Nah.

img credit: sportinglife.com

Let me begin by saying – this is completely based on the team as currently configured. I know April 15th is right around the corner, and 2 signings can change everything, but this is the current situation.

With that said . . .

Lets begin with a Haiku . . .

Red Bulls 2008

We place all our hope
Into Osorio’s plan
May he guide wisely

SEASON PREDICTION:

12 wins 11 loses 7 ties (3rd in the East, 43 pts., Semi Final finish)

KEY ACQUISITIONS:

Juan Carlos Osorio (new head coach)
Zach Thornton
Oscar Echeverry
Eric Brunner
Luke Sassano
Danleigh Borman

KEY PLAYERS RELEASED:

Dema Kovalenko (you will be missed)
Clint Mathis (ditto)
Ronald Watterreus
Markus Schopp (not exactly KEY, but . . . )
Santino Quaranta (ditto Schopp)
Joe Vide (underrated, well trained CDM who will also be missed)

SEASON PREVIEW:

Nuts and bolts :

We left you last season at yet another brick wall performance against the team I love to hate – The New England Revo-losers.

There were our glaring weaknesses on display, for all to see. Lack of wing play. Mediocre play from our defensive wings. Absolutely no service to the most dangerous forward tandem in the MLS. And a big fat 0 on the goal side.

The list began to be compiled – we need an attacking mid, we need a left back, we need more service from the wings. We need, we need, we need.

So, in an attempt to better our course, we dumped Bruce Arena after a less than glorious reign as coach. In comes Juan Carlos Osorio, magic man who brought the Chicago Fire back from the dead (though I am sure there was some guy named Blanco who helped out situations). And all hopes were heaped on his shoulders.

The signings have been slim. The cuts have been drastic.

And here we are, days away from the first game of the season.

How much have things really changed?

The Stars

As previously mentioned, we feature the Dynamic Duo of MLS forwards – Jozy Altidore and Juan Pablo Angel (dont ask me who is Robin . . . ). Maybe 10 years ago, having that was enough to win an MLS Cup. But in this parity ridden league, you need strength on all ends.

In comes Captain America, Claudio Reyna. Reyna enjoyed a less than stellar year, with reports of a tumultuous relationship with Coach Arena making matters worse. Pile on injuries to this mediocre stew and you have Claudio Reyna, 2007.

2008, however, carries a more positive tone. Reports early and often have praised Reynas play on the field, where he is being asked to play a bit of CDM, his natural position, and CAM, the categorical opposite. And it seems he has been excelling in both areas, even if this display wasn’t quite visible in Carolina (last two games were sleepers, but he did play well in the first).

These are the teams stars, people who we will be relying heavily to carry this team.

The New Comers

Um. Zach Thornton and Oscar Echeverry. So we have depth at goal and the attacking spot.

Besides them, there is this years slew of draftees, headed by Luke Sassano and Danleigh Borman, both who may see time on the pitch as starters. Borman showed some magic in his crosses preseason. Sassano, grit. It will be interesting to track their development as the season commences.

But the most exciting new comer is Juan Carlos Osorio. He takes the cake. And he is carrying this teams expectations squarley on his shoulders.

Keep an eye on

Jon Conway. If anyone on the team is in the position of making this team float or flounder, its Conway. A life long career back up, many Bulls fans are skeptical of his ability to maintain his cool under pressure, come up with the big save, or simply maintain concentration on the pitch. Displays like last years Mendes back pass, or more recently with the mystery goal TFC’s Cunningham scored in the Carolina Cup that was in Conways hands, have fans begging for answers and hoping for the best. This will be Conways job to lose – all season long.

We’ll win the league if…

We avoid injuries, sign a key defender (Chris Innes), or a solid CDM to allow Reyna the CAM position (Lider Marmol). With them, and a healthy Dane Richards and Hunter Freeman, we will have the depth and talent to succeed.

We’ll be in trouble if…

We run into injuries. Why? Our depth cant take it. We will already be without Dane Richards till Summer. Ditto Freeman. We can not afford to plug in holes with rookie players. One more injury, and we will be looking at the Chris Leitches and John Gilkersons of the world to patch us up (in fairness, Leitch has looked ok this preseason).

The Beckham Factor

Will still be strong this season. If he stays healthy.

You might not know . . .

+ Play by Play of NY away games are done in studio, away from the field action.

+ Jozy Altidore had an offer from Reading as an immediate starter – and he rejected it.

+ Our only trophy? The La Manga Cup – a Soccer Resort in Spains club team preseason tourney

+ The logo featured above is the 2007 logo. I couldnt find the new, non-streaky one.

+ I am a Gemini!

Here is this weekends rundown:

TIM HOWARD

Howard, Howaaaaaard
Howard, Howard
Born is the Kiiiiiiiing of East Rutherford!!!!!

I hope some of you had the priveledge of watching our boy Timmy toss 12 shots to the side in a HUGE Everton win over the surging Man City.

Everton 2 – 0 Manchester City

That big goose egg means that Everton maintains its fourth place lead over Liverpool.

Metro – pwning EPL. Right?

CLINT MATHIS

After a scorching start to his Greek arrival (is one goal scorching?), Mathis once again came in as a late substitute, playing 18 minutes in a losing effort as Ergotelis falls to Panionios 2-1.

No, there was no scoring. And no Mohawks. So whatever.

*LATE EDITION: Mathis may have actually bagged himself an assist for that 2-1 consolation goal. So go Cletus!

MICHAEL BRADLEY

Bradley once again played the full 90 for Hollands Heerenveen 3-2 loss against mid table NEC Nijmegen.

AMADO GUEVARA

Played the full 90, and, as described by the Honduran Football Leagues wrap up, was “disconnected” and unable to feed players up top thanks to an inspired VIDA squad. Motagua fell 2-1.

Welcome to the first installment of Bulls Abroad. This segment will feature achievements by Metro Grads throughout the world, highlighted usually by one individual.

And who better to highlight than Michael Bradley.

CLUTCH GOAL KEEPS HEEVENVEEN IN IT

Bradley is making everyone look bad. Down a man after a red card, Bradley does what he does best – stay cool under pressure, and play opportunistically. Of course, once again, he was in the right place at the right time . . . and he nets the winner for his club.

CHECK IT OUT HERE! RIGHT OFF THE TEAMS SITE!

This was his fourth goal all time with the club, second in as many months.

His play of late is really doing alot to secure his position with the USMNT. Plus, I think he sorta knows the coach. Dont quote me on that though.

HOWARD HOLDS THE FORT, 1-1 tie with CHELSEA

For anyone who watched this game, I have to say, my highlight was watching our boy Timmy turn away a Lampard shot just shy of the post. He stood on his head, taking ten shots on target, 16 overall.

With the tie, Everton stays ninth in the top ten, headed by Howards heroics (say that 5 times fast)

IN OTHER NEWS . . . . .

Our boy, who is two times better than a #10, Mr. Amado Guevara, has been on a nice tear down South, with 4 goals the past three weeks. Think anyone up north is taking notice?

Ive been a proponent of his for a while. But then again, if DC signs Veron, and Gomez becomes available . . . . that would be interesting. Amado v. Gomez. Should be one hell of a debate.