When I joined this community of bloggers on July 20th, 2007, I never could have envisioned how far this little corner of the internet would come. With TheOffside providing a stage for me to work off of, it was up to me to make it a show worth watching. So we began a journey that would make this once desolate site a leader amongst the blogs in our community, all thanks to the passion of the soccer fanatics that support this team.

We have covered opening days from behind the scenes, playoffs and the MLS Cup from the road, interviews with countless players, coaches and executives, exclusive video presentations of Red Bull Arena as it was being built, press conferences that changed the face of this league, an insiders look at events like The Showdown in Chinatown or Malaria No More with FC Barcelona …. and the list goes on for days. This blog has given you and I so much, that I would truly hate for it to die.

So today, with my final goodbye, I implore you; if you love this team, and are looking to make a difference, this is the place to do it. Three years ago, I inherited a small stage where I was able to work my craft. Today, I leave you a stage full of possibility.

If you are interested in writing for TheOffside.com, click the link here and give it a shot.

As for me? I will continue to feature heavily on Seeing Red! The New York Soccer Roundup Podcast, and I will be on Twitter giving you all my take, insight, analysis and dirt on the Red Bulls and New York Soccer (Twitter Name: DaveMartinezNY) so I am not completely out of the game. And as I said on the Podcast, I may even start my own project in the future as well … so stay tuned.

Thank you to everyone who has made this blog possible. You have made the past three years some of the most delightful and memorable of my life. I only hope you enjoyed them as much as I did.

And I hope we can continue this relationship wheresoever we meet again.

In closing, thank you all from the bottom of my heart . . . and Go Bulls!

Ooooh the drama!

Then, in one of the oddest situations in some time, Mehdi Ballouchy’s goal found it’s way to the back of the net, and an over-joyous Thierry Henry goes to kick the ball back into the net in a fit of celebration. Keeper Kevin Hartman went to kick the damn thing away for good. Result? Toes collide, and before you know it, Hartman is nursing a black and blue knee and Thierry Henry is issued a $2,000 fine from the league for his excitement. That’s not to say I am on Henry’s side here. On the one hand, it is fantastic to see him display his passion on the pitch, especially considering the places he has played, and the things he has done. But that is no excuse for his actions, which were reactionary and impulsive, costing Kevin Hartman some serious time, and his team their DP player the following week against Dallas.

And to add to DP’s Gone Wild week, Rafa Marquez was reportedly “punished” by the Mexican Federation for partying it up after the teams 1-0 win against Colombia. Why a party to celebrate a win after a game is bad thing is beyond me. But what really makes my brain itch is why it cost Carlos Vela and Efrain Juarez a six month ban from international play. Nevertheless, consider Rafa your cherry on top of the Red Bulls drama cake.

The Bulls look towards the LA Galaxy in what is being billed the “Game of the Year.” Sure, Henry won’t be there, but Becks will, and that is probably all the ad execs needed to dub the game “extra special.” Regardless, the spotlight is theirs Friday night, and for the first time in a long time, the Red Bulls may actually be matching the hype machine of Hollywood’s finest.

Excited for the game? Think its a hype machine? Share your thoughts on this weeks game below.

Things didn’t quite work out that way. The Red Bulls announced this morning the trade of Macoumba Kandji to the Colorado Rapids for midfielder and potential #10, Mehdi Ballouchy in a move that has left many shocked. While Kandji is a prospect with unlimited potential and room for growth, he has become too expensive of a commodity to feature on the bench. Thierry Henry and Juan Pablo Angel hold claim to the top forward slots. Joel Lindpere has clearly shown more than capable to fill into the left wing role. Dane Richards has finally found his stride as well, taking advantage of his newly found space to create dangerous runs, feeds and finishes. Compound that with another hefty forward investment in the form of Salou Ibrahim riding the bench, and you can better understand the mindset behind a move like this. There just wasn’t any room for him.

Meanwhile, the lone position of contention to be had in a midfield once littered with questions is the #10 spot. This is where the Bulls are hoping Mehdi Ballouchy blossoms. At 27 years of age, the young Moroccan continues to be a prospect to watch. Drafted by Real Salt Lake in 2006, Ballouchy spent two difficult years with the team, as the rookie struggled to meet the expectations he carried as a Generation Adidas player and star collegiate athlete. Traded to Colorado, Ballouchy found his form. With RSL, he managed a disappointing two goals and two assists through 46 league matches. He has put together 18 assists through 77 games in Colorado and is on track to achieve career highs in goals and assists this season.

Tchani has been serviceable in the central attacking midfield role, but Ballouchy’s ability to hold the ball and think distribution first makes him an ideal fit behind Angel and Henry. Best of all? He is beginning to hit his stride, and the Bulls are picking him up at an age where, traditionally, a player hits their best form.

As a natural central midfielder, the Red Bulls will have a midfield comprised of players who are dangerous and performing in their position of choice. With the Red Bulls recent successes, this move seems to be a clear indication that the club is looking at the short term for immediate results.

What a way to come back to work! One of my favorite Bulls and people, Mac Kandji is gone, and the Bulls bring quality in his place. Where do you stand? Share your thoughts after the jump.

The purpose of recanting all of this? Well, I’ve received a boat load of e-mails from concerned readers (Thank you Larry, Sean, Mike and the rest of your guys), as well as some messages from people who just want their news, and want it now (Sofa King) on my status. To all of you, whether showing your support or frustration; thank you. It is that passion that keeps me coming back here, and sharing the news of the day with you.

And to answer your questions; I am not going anywhere. Not now at least. And if I was to leave, you would be the first to know.

Now, I have been absent from this page for roughly six weeks, and I gotta tell ya, it felt more like an eternity. I mean, look at the stuff I have missed!

1 – Dane Richards is an offensive dynamo! Whowouldathunkit?!

2 – Thierry Henry scored his first (and second!) regular season goals!

3 – John Wolyniec, Clint Mathis and Mike Petke have all announced retirement or their plans to do so.

4 – The Bulls have managed to go through a traditionally difficult month of August with a respectable record of 3-1-1, emerging in firm position of the #2 spot in the East.

5 – Rafa Marquez has become indispensable to the midfield, even in the eyes of the people who hated his inclusion.

6 – Danny Cepero came back! And left!

7 – John Kluge died (RIP)

8 – Kevin Goldthwaite signed with Portland after fearing a career ending injury.

9 – Luke Sassano and Brian Nielsen are out for the entire season.

10 – And the perennial rumors of Juan Pablo Angel’s departure from the team seem to be holding weight on his last contract year.

And that was just the tip of the iceberg!

So, crossing my fingers here, there shouldn’t be any more of these elongated periods of absence. Life is life, and sometimes it has to take it’s desired course. Meanwhile, it’s the passenger that needs to roll with the punches. And that is what I am planning on doing.

The story of the game came in one of the most bipolar sequences this team has had all season long. The Red Bulls and their fan base went sent into a tizzy when a perfectly placed goal kick by keeper Greg Sutton split the Toronto center backs, unleashing Thierry Henry one on one against their keeper, Stephen Frey. Henry feigned left, faked the netminder, and was taken down by Frey in the box in a clear penalty call. The result? Play simply continued. As it did so, Macoumba Kandji, who had a great night on both the offensive and defensive end, muscled Julian de Guzman off the ball, springing Joel Lindpere into the attack. Lindpere found Henry at the corner of the box, who weaved his way to a small amount of open space, hit Seth Stammler with a pass, which Stammler sailed perfectly in the path of an onrushing Joel Lindpere in the box for the games only score.

The defense clamped down the rest of the way, lead by an impressive performance by centerback duo Carlos Mendes and Tim Ream, who did well enough to compensate for Borman’s lack of conditioning against a strong and dangerous Dwayne DeRosario and an apparent injury suffered by Greg Sutton late in the game. Their stability allowed the Joel Lindpere and the rest of the midfield to create dangerous opportunities for the forward lines, where Kandji, Henry and Juan Pablo Angel each had excellent showings last night.

Next up? The Los Angeles Galaxy come into town for a sold out affair this weekend. The Bulls are currently 6 points behind the Columbus Crew, with no games in hand, making a victory all the more important. And rumor has it, David Beckham may be in attendance for the festivities! So let the pageantry of the moment begin.

As Nat Baker traverses the Tri-State area, it’s me and Mark Fishkin manning the helm. We are taking a look back at the tie against the Chicago Fire, and we take your e-mail! A good short listen, as we hit you up with TWO – count ‘em, TWO – episodes this week.

CLICK THE LINK, DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST, SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES, AND HIT ME UP IN THE COMMENTS SECTION!

—————

(oh, and follow me on TWITTER: davemartinezny)

There were millions of dollars running around the pitch of Toyota Park last night, by far the highest investment in MLS history, yet no one was able to find the back of the net. That was the story in last nights game, as the Bulls went offensive on the road, but could not manage to buy a goal in a nil nil draw.

In a playoff like atmosphere, the Red Bulls shone a spotlight on the possibilities this team could create. Juan Pablo Angel continues to look like he has found the fountain of youth, creating the first scoring opportunity for the Red Bulls off a diving header that glanced left and into the hands of Chicago keeper Sean Johnson. Minutes later, the Colombian star found a streaking Thierry Henry jetting forward, who broke his defense and put a low shot on goal which was also covered up nicely. The Fire ended the first half with a little DP flashiness of their own, as Brian McBride lead a beautiful counter, running into the attacking third on the far right and sending a well placed, cross field lead pass to the foot of Freddie Ljungberg, who miscalculated the run and sent a sure goal well left of the net.

Consequently, the Red Bulls had quite a scare of a different variety. Thierry Henry was subbed out for Dane Richards after pulling up lame with a groin strain. Though it seems the type of injury typical of a man who has not seen playing time in months, the Bulls would take no chances on their Million Dollar Man’s dime, taking him out before the half.

The second half was pure Red Bull dominance, and it would take no time for the Jamaican right winger to prove his worth in Henry’s place. Off of a perfect lead pass by the newest Red Bulls DP, Rafa Marquez, Dane Richards used his speed and some clever foot work to break his defender, find open space in the box, and send a gorgeously delivered pass right through the mouth of the net, where an on coming Macoumba Kandji stutter stepped and ultimately mistimed a shot which was a sure goal. That was only one of a plethora of opportunities the Senegalese striker was to squander. Minutes later, Juan Pablo Angel sent a screamer on net, where Sean Johnson once again came up huge for his side, batting the attempt away.

Angel would continue his trigger happy ways. As the game came to a close, he sent a screamer just over the cross bar off of an Ibrahim Salou feed. Tim Ream decided to get in on the action as well. A well placed corner landed by Kandji, who calmed the ball and lead a pass back to the rookie defender, who turned, and put a scorcher on frame, where Johnson was once again ready and able to turn the shot aside. Not to be outdone by the rookie, the Cherubic Assassin would end the game on yet another dangerous glancing header that was turned aside for the Red Bulls final challenge on net.

Though this was, in many ways, a disappointing loss, the Bulls showed what their new signings and new attitude can produce on the pitch. Juan Pablo Angel is an inspired player once more with the quality the team has accumulated. Though his first half was clearly a mixed bag of results, Rafa Marquez showed how his vision and touch could be a dangerous asset for the team, especially through his play in the second half. For all his misses last night, Macoumba Kandji is proving to be a handful for defenders, and a consistent threat at net. And the midfield, in general, is beginning to take better shape.

Add a point in the bag, and one could say the Red Bulls walked out of Toyota Park, winners.

Share your thoughts on the action after the jump.

Thierry Henry and Juan Pablo Angel have already demonstrated the kind of headaches they may cause teams throughout the league with their creativity, experience and striking prowess. Rafael Marquez will undoubtedly be expected to provide the calming distribution this team has lacked in the midfield all season. And the idea of all three players taking the pitch simultaneously for the Red Bulls have many seeing Championship trophies on the horizon.

But is it too soon?

I am handing the say to you: Just how far will Red Bull make it this season with the addition of their third designated player? Have your vote, and let the debate begin below!

Just How Far Will Three DP’s Take Red Bull This Season?online survey

For those who are not able to get the boss from looking your way, no fear! I will be live tweeting the event from my account. Get your iPhones, Droids and Blackberry’s ready!

Follow me on DaveMartinezNY for the Rafa Marquez play by play, as it happens!

I will also be representing American Soccer News for the day, so expect a write up on the event on their pages.

Two blogs, one twitter, and alot of multitasking. That is how I do.

Meanwhile, share your thoughts on the signing of Rafa Marquez below!

. . . AAAAAAAAAAAAAND one more text makes it official!

Weeks in the making, the Red Bulls have finally put another “worst kept secret in soccer” to rest; Rafa Marquez is now officially a Red Bull.

Here he is speaking about his new American adventure on the Red Bulls site . . .

Juan Pablo Angel, Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez . . . these ain’t your Osorio Bulls! Share your thoughts on the new Holy Trinity of American Soccer (or the Barca Bulls . . . whichever floats your boat!).