MLS Puts up alot of great youtube videos from around the league. This one features, among other things, a quick shoot with Mike Petke, showing the boys taking the train to Boston to play the Revs.

Want a funny moment? Look around the 1:30 mark, and check out Dane Richards sleeping . . . . with his hand in his pants. Making a joke out of that is too easy – so I’ll leave it to you guys.

Enjoy!

PS: The saves of the week include Danny Cepero stealing one from Danny Dichio. Blink and you will miss it.

Starting from the top, team Captain Juan Pablo Angel is a touch off this season. He hasn’t been able to work off of the very few balls he has been fed, nor has he been able to inspire a dangerous attack up top. If anyone is capable of it, its JPA; just look back to the playoffs last year. The proof is in the pudding.

But today, I want to discuss another dependable piece to the lineup that desperately needs a turn-around-the-season type game – Dane Richards. Dane has been one of only two players that have consistently been a fixture to the lineup (the other being the aforementioned Capitano). Each and every week, barring injuries or personal issues, Richards is always the spark on the right hand side that the team turns to when all else fails. Last season, it became predictable at points; when things went rough, they started looking towards Dane to disrupt the defense.

This season, Dane has started off on a much quieter foot. “The Express Lane” Dane has looked more like “Which Way To Go” Richards. I mean, keep things in context; it is only the fourth game of the season, and surely players are still getting acclimated. But Richards is such a vital cog to the system that even a temporary absence of his skill can be devastating. After three games, Richards is yet to register a true shot on goal, nor can I personally recall a time where he sprung a dangerous play, or overtook a defender ala typical Express Lane style.

That can all change this week.

Meet Wade Barrett.

Wade Barrett is a perennial anchor for the Houston defense. He is the teams captain, leader and inspiration. The fans love him, his teammates feel likewise. He is one of the most respected players in the league.

And he is also considered to be ‘The Great Danes’ . . . . ahem . . . . ‘female dog.’

Many of the best have had a person or people in their lives that tests your talent and character to the extreme. Ali was pushed by Frazier. The Red Sox were pushed by the Yankees. And so to does Dane Richards push Wade Barrett (and sometimes, vice versa). The problem for Houston is, Dane Richards almost always wins the battle. And when Barrett folds up, so too does the Dynamo defense (refer yourself to the most recent example; the 2008 playoffs).

A classic battle for domination, Dane Richards will do much for his own confidence and for his starting position in putting down Barrett as he has always been known to do. Even leading into last seasons playoff games, Dane showed a bit of bravado to the media, pointing out how he would abuse that Houston defense, which was a clear shot at Barrett. His exact words? “I am going to run that left back into the ground.” And he did; he responded with a goal and an assist to lead the Bulls past Houston.

Will Saturday be history repeating? Dane’s opportunity to quell the naysayers is here. But can he do his part to shut them all up? What do you think?

(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

DANE RICHARDS

Dane came in around the 75th minute earning his 4th cap in another Jamaican win, this time over Honduras 1-0.

JORGE ROJAS

Rojas was a 70th minute sub to this dramatic, hold your breathe, near elimination face off! Somehow, down 1-0, Venezuela, on the backs of the MLS players, came back for a 3-1 win. Pretty amazing!

GABRIEL CICHERO

Gabe Cichero held down the defense, earning a start, and performing well under pressure. As we covered recently, Cichero has been begging for a shot to start. This could be the beginning of more opportunities as the defense was crucial in stabilizing the game, thus enabling the offense to get into motion. Great job.

Jozy Altidore

Jozy started the game, but his biggest contribution came in the form of a penalty kick – for TnT! After tugging down Hislop, it was a no brainer. They nailed the PK for the win. Boo.

So here I am, wide awake. And with that, here are some tidbits from the RB universe you may have missed:

+ Well, after licking my wounds, I must give props where it’s due; Matt Mbuta’s goal celebration was worth the price of admission. Awesome stuff. Check him out on the Goal of the Week!

+ And as long as we are keeping things light around here, Mike Magee is getting some love from his hometown paper! Check out the interview here. If anyone deserves some recognition, its Mike Magee. Finally at 100%, he is proving all the doubters wrong.

+ RBR reports Van Den Bergh participated in light training today – a huge lift me up for a team that seems lost without their veteran left mid. Anyone else tired of seeing Rojas wasted away on the wing? Yea, me too. They are forecasting a return for the opening of RSL’s new stadium, just in time to alleviate the hurt of international call ups.

+ Speaking of which, Dane Richards has been called up (if healthy) to the Jamaican National Squad. His play has matured so much the past year, and this is a deserved award for the speedy winger.

+ But before this gets too happy and cute, here is some salt on the wounds – Conor Casey is the MLS Player of the Week. Ugh.

+ Speaking of the game, Brian Lewis got some dooooozy quotes from the team and Coach post game – check this out.

+ And finally, for all interested, there is now a football dating service. I am not kidding. Enjoy. Good night.

Through 3 games, we have had 7 relevant injuries and a red carded player in Jeff Parke.

That equals roughly 14.5 missed games by individuals on this team in 3 games. 15.5 if you include Parke.

Here is the breakdown:

Juan Pablo Angel

He misses the second game of the season and is taken out of the 3rd by halftime. Original reports state that it was a sore hammy, but upon further review, it is being called “nerve related” and is seeing a specialist for the injury. He is expected to miss the San Jose game and return for the Maple Leafs

Dane Richards

Dane is back in training this week after he was nearly molested by a bunch of rookie Austrians. We are looking at a 2-3 week return.

Hunter Freeman

Freeman was quoted by Ives saying that he expects to see minutes sooner rather than later – probably against the Maple Leafs. We keep our fingers crossed.

Eric Brunner

Training with a giant Dema mask on, Brunner is looking for minutes as he may be ready to go.

David Roth

The rookie is about 4 weeks off from being game ready. And with people dropping like flys, it couldnt come any sooner.

Jozy Altidore

Though more precautionary by Osorio than anything else, Jozy did miss a game to play with the reserves and prove his health (as is Osorios policy)

Marco Etcheverry

And here is the newest member of this distinguished group. Reports out of Montclair state that Marco will be missing 4 weeks with an LCL injury.

NOW WHAT!?!?!?!?

Well, I will leave the indepth stuff for the pregame preview. But I will say this – dont be surprised this Saturday if we are starting a few people that will earn their first starts for this season.

- Chris Megaloudis. He is from my neighborhood and is a footie legend there. He is electric, exciting and would add a great dimension to the attack if permitted to play.
- Mike Magee. Some people just need a shot to prove what they can do. Magee filled in so nobley for Guevara 2 seasons back. If he can recapture some of that magic and build on his game, we will have the playmaker we were looking for.

I would look for Eric Brunner to enter the game late as well.

Here is what could be the starting XI

———Altidore——–Megaloudis—
Van Den Bergh——Magee——–Sassano
———–Stammler—Reyna——-
Goldthwaite—–Parke————Leitch
————–Conway—————-

Look good to you? Give us your thoughts.

Jorge Rojas, 30, a Venezuelan National veteran with 78 caps to his name, and the infamous Chris Innes, former captain of the bankrupt and dying Gretna FC of SPL, are now on trial with the Red Bulls.

I knew there was a reason I waited till the 13th hour to put up my season preview . . .

Jorge Rojas, whom, if I recall correctly (should google this), assisted and scored a goal in 2 games against Haiti recently, is a left back or left wing – two positions we have coveted for quite some time. If everything falls into order, Rojas would be our starting left winger, moving Dave Van Den Bergh to the CAM role, and Claudio Reyna could join Seth Stammler for a devastating twosome in front of our defenders.

Now that is a step up!

As for Innes, he is actually participating in team training as I write this. He was a major reason for Gretna’s spell in the SPL from ‘05 – ‘08, being largely credited for the ascension into the big leagues of SPL, and being largely credited for their demotion (but only because he was injured during certain spells).

Though Goldie and Leitch played admirably against the Cows, a person of Innes reputation and credentials should be afforded the opportunity to see what he can do. Sure, people downplay the talent or talent level of the SPL, but how many do the same to the MLS? Who know – Chris Innes may be that missing piece to the puzzle that will create the formidable backline we have been dreaming of.

IMAGINE . . .

With these signings (cross those fingers!), they will have a team that could take them to the Cup.

——-Angel—-Altidore——–
———-Dave VDB————
Rojas——————–Richards
——–Reyna—Stammler——-
—-Innes—-Parke—-Freeman—
———-Conway—————

Appetizing no? DVB, as displayed Saturday, has no fear of taking a shot. He will be backed up by Magee. Reyna and Stammler will compliment a solid and experienced backline, which will make 1st year starter Jon Conways life much easier. The wing play, when healthy, will be some of the best in the league (backed by two solid rookies in Borman and Sassano). And with those starting three, we can have a bench with Goldthwaite, Leitch, Mendes and Brunner.

Not bad at all (especially in a league notorious for very little quality depth).

Looks like we may be flexing that allocation money-muscle after all!

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!

Olympic Qualifiers begin!

USA v. CUBA in our backyard! Hey you never know . . . maybe the next Maykel Galindo will appear at our door steps!

This is going to be fun.

And guess what folks? We have representation!

Freeman and Altidore are the perceived locks for the starting line up. Well earned and well deserved.

Former Bulls Marvell Wynne and Eddie Gaven are also figuring to play roles (I think we could have had all these guys AND Dunivant under our current cap, dont you?!).

Wait . . . thats 4 ex metros, and the percentage of that . . . . oh never mind.

Dont miss the game folks! Its going to be a fun start to a tremendous qualifying tournament.

And I will be wearing my Mathis jersey and USA Skully for good luck!

In our structure, there are times (VERY few) where our editors would like to guide us and our stories into a general direction. Obviously, with a month or so left to the start of the season, our wise folks in the upper echelon would like us to focus on an MLS preview.

And I have been sitting on my hands.

Why?

Because its too early to predict the season – especially when we have roughly 600K worth of free cash to spend on free agents.

That . . . and I have had this NAGGING feeling all offseason, simply telling me that it is far too early to take ANYTHING for granted. Its the same feeling I had when Mike Magee went down. The same feeling when Dunivant fell last season. The feeling of impending doom.

Low and behold, that nagging feeling was right.

WITH LITTLE TO NO DEPTH, HOW DO WE MAKE UP FOR THIS LOSS?!?!!

Do you know that our lines are so thin that HUNTER FREEMAN, whom will be participating with the U-23 Olympic team, is our second choice at RM?! You got that right. Hunter Freeman – our RB, is our 2nd choice in the midfield.

Crunch time is coming. We havent even signed Oscar Etchevarry, and Lider Marmol and that saga continues.

Meanwhile, the rest of the league is already in preperation mode for the season.

I KNOW A THING OR TWO ABOUT MCLs!!!!

And I know that those things are incredibily difficult to conquer. Dane wont be 100% till mid June/July.

Believe me, I had a fat kid sit on my leg in hockey, and he tore my MCL – I didnt feel normal for MONTHS, and rehab was a slow incremental healing process.

SO NOW WHAT?!

I was already getting ansy about our roster situation – but this puts things over the top.

Even if we waited for the summer transfer season, we can not waste games at any point. The solution may be too little too late. And unlike Osorio last season with the Fire, there seems little hope a Blanco will swoop in from the heavens to save our club.

A season of promise is beginning to fall into question early.

BREAKING NEWS:

Micheal Lewis at Big Apple Soccer is reporting Dane Richards has suffered a mild MCL tear in a 1-0 Red Bulls loss against the Salzburg reserves. It seems that the contest was a “chippy” affair . . .

An excerpt from the article:

What transpired did not surprise Red Bulls captain and midfielder Claudio Reyna, who played in Germany for several seasons.

“I played in Germany and this is how it is always with Germans and Austrians, diving and cheats,” he said. “It’s how they are. That’s how they always play. It’s a shame.”

I will be updating you on the severity as we move forward, but this can put a major crux in our plans this season . . .

HEADLINES:

+ Claudio Reyna has been reported overall to be the top performer at camp. Whether it has been as a CAM or in his normal CDM position, his passing, vision and instincts seem to dwarf the achievements of the rest of the team. That is exactly what you would expect from your Captain, and leader.

Last season, I jumped off the Reyna bandwagon late in the season. He is a personal favorite of mine. And it killed me to do so.

This year, The Red Bulls Offside has thrown our (my) support back onto Reyna. We need him. Alot. And Captain America, under the new regime, will thrive. We hope.

+ Dave Van Den Bergh has also earned praise from Osorio as a viable option for the CAM position. I can see that happening. DVB is just too slow for the wing play. But a CAM? make a few tight passes, looking for opportunity . . . not bad.

+ Our best combination in Osorios 3 back scheme seems to be Goldthwaite, Parke and Mendes. Ives actually feels its Goldies job to lose.

What of Eric Brunner then? Well, he has been given good grades, but is a bit green, especially in such a heavily reliant 3 back position. So, the unforeseen seems to be occuring – Kevin Goldthwaite – starter. Wow.

+ Lider Marmol, a Paraguayan Midfielder (CM, CDM) has been turning heads at Salzburg, including firing a 30 yard blast in an interscrimmage game. Looks like a keeper! The problem? Chicago is rumored to have a discovery claim on him. Ah what a tangled web . . . .

+ Also in camp is Mexican CAM Jesus Mendoza, who is suffering from Mexico Primeraitis – he cant get adjusted to the rough and tumble, keep posession or get tackled game play of the MLS. From Lewis and Ives perspective, it seems that he has a long way to go to impressing the club.

+ I PREDICTED IT! Steve Cangiolosi will be joining Shep Messing in the booth. Yea, no brainer, but I DID GET IT RIGHT!

+ And by the way, Today is the compliance deadline for the salary cap. So good luck Alexi Lalas

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If there is any news on Dane Richards, I will be right there giving you the latest. This news is giving me a case of the MOOOONDAYS.