But not tonight.

The retiring Albert Celades opened up seams that this team has been searching for since the first half of the Seattle opener. Mac Kandji finally found the finish to match his step overs and fancy footwork. And Juan Pablo Angel netted the type of brace everyone has been waiting to see this season. In other words, the team finally meshed. The result? A 5-0 thrashing of a playoff contender.

Though Petke suffered a sprain in his quad early on in the game, forcing the first appearance of Argentine centerback Walter Garcia, his words in our previous interview rang true to me; this is not a bad team. They are an underachieving team. Sure, there are some good pieces to build upon for this team, but it will take a proper coach to get the desired results. With tonight’s win, maybe Richie Williams makes that case for himself. Only time will tell.

So the chapter has finally closed on Giants Stadium, and mercifully, on 2009. And what a way to close it out.

Red Bull Arena, you are right around the corner . . .

#1 – 15% of the vote

JUAN PABLO ANGEL

The Red Bulls Captain has carried on this season with injuries that have hampered his performance and kept him off the pitch for long stretches. Even so, Red Bull fans haven’t forgotten the man who bought them to the big dance last season. Speculation has grown recently regarding Angels future, but there is no question in Metro fans minds – they want the Colombian striker back for one more season.

#2 – 10% of the vote

NICK ZIMMERMAN

Here is one of the few bright spots Bulls fans have had to hold on to all season. Nick Zimmerman, an after thought at the start of the season, has become a regular part of the Bulls lineup, and a dangerous one at that. His ball control and developing cross ability has produced valuable minutes, but it is his vision and ability to keep play at a fluid pace that has made him invaluable to the team. The best part? The kid is a rook, and would cost very little on a 2010 payroll. That is a bang for your buck!

#3 – 10% of the vote

BIG MAC KANDJI

Though Kandji has suffered a season of let downs, compounded by injuries, it seems Bulls fans still see the same hope in the prospect that they had late last season. And why not! The kid is still a huge target forward, with an excellent first touch, and a youthful enthusiasm for the game that is quite exciting. One disconcerting theme mentioned along with his name this season has been criticism of his practice habits, and dedication to improvement. I may chalk that up to a lost season. Hopefully, Kandji will have it all together for a magnificent 2010.

#4 – 9% of the vote

JEREMY HALL

After a strong start to the season, Hall has cooled his jets a tad as the team has done the same. Even so, Bulls fans view him as a building block for the backline, especially the wings. Great ball control and pace, Hall has the tools to excel, even when he is played in an unnatural right back position for an entire season! Along with Zimmerman, Hall is viewed as one of the better pick ups by the Osorio/Agoos tandem.

#5 – 8% of the vote

SETH STAMMLER

Mr. Versatility rounds out the top 5 for the Bulls. Need a Centerback fill in? Call Stammy! Central defense crawling to a slow halt? Stammler to the leg breaking rescue! Wingers letting you down? No worry! Seth has that covered too.

The fact is Stammler plays whenever, where ever, effectively, and with passion. And that is more than enough to ingratiate the base, who only wishes the same effort would be applied across the board on this squad. No real surprise here.

.

“It feels good, you know, it feels very good,” said a beaming Kandji. ‘It’s going to boost my confidence, help me work harder and want it more.”

As we have touched on the past few weeks, the clear-cut chemistry between Kandji and Angel is something that Bulls fans are very excited about. And their combined threat was a major part of this weekends win. “(Juan Pablo Angel) is a veteran. I learn a lot from him, and we talk a lot,” he explained. “He told me that this is a partnership, and that we need to work hard for each other. Every time I get the ball, I put my eyes up and look for him. Every time he gets it, he does the same. And we are starting to connect a lot, so hopefully it is going to keep growing more and more.”

It is the kind of partnership Angel has been missing since Jozy Altidore left to Spain. Now, with a strong capable partner, and crossing threats in Pacheco and Johnson, the Red Bulls seem to have found that scoring threat that has been missing for months.

Kandji was quick to point out the effect a change in strategy did for the teams attack. “There was high pressure all over the field and we worked very hard at that in practice. We came out and showed it.” And though happy with the results, he was very close to the vest when asked about the continuance of the strategy. “That was a new style, but you never know. Coach could change the formation (against Houston), so we will see.”

One of the biggest attributes often associated with Kandji is his focus. Even in the face of the teams on field successes, Kandji’s keeps his mind on the bigger picture. “We need some wins man, we need some wins,” he exclaimed. “We need some wins starting with this past home game. We came out and we showed that we wanted it more than anybody. And we are going to do that again on Saturday. One game at a time.”

*******

Of course, I couldn’t let Kandji go without the universally asked question: Would he join the US Mens National Team if given the opportunity. “Yes, I mean, everything is open. Actually, Senegal called me again the day before yesterday,” he said. “Gambia is also interested too. I have a lot of options.”

But his mind remains on the season. “Senegal didn’t make it to the African Cup or the World Cup qualifiers so I can still concentrate on the club, you know? I’ll score some goals and help my team win and later on, we will see what is going to happen.” And I am sure Bulls fans everywhere would be quite content with that.

AP PHOTO: MIKE STOBLE GETTY IMAGES

Nearly 2 months ago, I interviewed the Red Bulls newest acquisition, Macoumba Kandji, in downtown Manhattan. I was never able to post this thing up, thanks to wordpress forcing me to re-transcribe the interview twice (thanks for crashing on me pals). In doing so, I found that most of the questions were kind of timeless, so it won’t read like a sports illustrated article from last year.

Anyhow, hurray for non current event questions.

For your near new years enjoyment, I give you, “Big Mac” Kandji:

This interview took place 2 weeks after Mac Kandji’s signing. We are sitting outside of the posh Argie hotspot, Novocento, taking in the nightlife of the big city:

DAVE: So here we are Mac! The big city! Lights, the people, the sites . . . how does it feel to move from Atlanta to the Capital of the World?

MAC: Oh man, it feels good, you know? I don’t know that many people here yet, but so far so good. And its definitely alot different from Atlanta, alot different. A lot of people man, walking by all the time, and the movement, the weather is a little colder. Definitely a lot different than Atlanta.

DAVE: Speaking of differences, how has the transition been for you thus far moving from USL to MLS?

MAC: The transition has been great, though alot of people thought it would be a little bit tough. The USL and the MLS is not that much different, you know? USL, of course, is a little more physical. MLS is alot, alot more technical. So coming in here with the style that I play, I think I fit in right away.

DAVE: Who has helped you the most getting adjusted to your new environment among your teammates?

MAC: You know, most of the guys have. The guys I sit next to, they all help me get adjusted to the team. Leitch and Roth, plus, I know Sainney Tourey, and Matt Mbuta – we stay in the same hotel you know? So I hang out with them, and its relaxing to be with them in the lockerroom.

DAVE: You must have been excited then with Mbuta’s goal?

MAC: Oh ya, we connected that day. He passed it to me, I give it to him back, he finished it, so we were all very excited for him. . . .

DAVE: Hey, and it was also your first MLS assist!

MAC: Ya definitely. I just have to get the first goal now.

DAVE: Well, let’s speak about your placement on the team. First, they featured you on the strike, then on the wing. Where would you prefer to be?

MAC: Uh, I prefer to play forward but I can play both positions. Whatever the coach wants to do, I’ll play there. But I do like playing forward better.

DAVE: And as a forward, do you like playing centrally, or more of a wing type attack style?

MAC: Ya, I prefer playing on the wingside, like a left forward, so I can cut in the right side. I can play on the right side too, because you can hit a ball from there. But the center, I like center. But I don’t like showing my back to the defender all the time, so I prefer the sides.

DAVE: Better perspective?

MAC: Ya definitely. You get a clear look at the ball and the defender.

DAVE: And the new Coach, Juan Carlos Osorio. How has it been playing for him thus far?

MAC: He’s been great. He is a world class coach, you know? And just watching from the drills he does, he is amazing. Everyday, everyday I am learning something new. So from what I have seen him doing, I am here to learn as much as I can, you know? The coach has been great.

DAVE: Now you are only on a temporary loan deal, where they will evaluate you for next year. What are you hoping happens?

MAC: I mean, I would like to play in the MLS, but if my luck is not here, I would have to move on, but either way, I would like to give the MLS a chance.

DAVE: Excellent. And how have the fans received you so far?

MAC: Oh man, the fans have been great man, the fans have been great.

DAVE: You know they were a big part of you being here with a strong internet clamor for your signing . . .

MAC: Yea yea yea ya, definitely. I didn’t see that, but my father saw it, and told me alot about it, you know? But they have been great so far. They have been showing me alot of love and I really appreciate that.

DAVE: Moving on, and in conclusion, let’s speak about international play. Accumulated any caps yet?

MAC: No, no not yet . . .

DAVE: Well, I guess that puts you up for grabs then!

MAC: Ya! Well, I am from Senegal originally, and they called me into the country, but I wasn’t able due to some paper issues as my papers are pending.

DAVE: But if you could, you would?

MAC: Well, ya, its still open. I mean, I would play for the US too . . . I could play for Gambia, Senegal or the US. Either way, I am just open for anything. Whatever international team talks to me, I would have to think about it and make the best of it.

*** At this point, a homeless fellow is walking down the street in front of this posh night spot where we are chatting, and begins singing to Mac. Once he is done with his song, he shuffles back into the crowd ***

DAVE: I think that was your official welcoming party into New York!

MAC: Ha. Thank you, thank you!

DAVE: Definitely a good introduction to the city.

MAC: Ha ha absolutely!

Big Mac is a valuable commodity for this team looking forward. Much like a young Altidore a few years back, Kandji exudes the kind of positivity and confidence necessary to make it to the next level. Hopefully, he will be a key part of the Red Bulls attack next season.

This signing was nothing but a circus, with rumors persisting that MLS would not allow a large 100k transfer fee to be paid for a 23 year old, unproven, USL product. Though the price tag has yet to be made official, it will be interesting to see the final number in black and white. Was it 100k or more? Or were the Bulls able to fenagle their way to a deal?

For those unfamiliar with Kandji, I will once again let youtube do the talking:

Since the beginning of the season, I felt all three areas of the pitch needed an outstanding presence in order to solidify the on field product. Though he needed till the very last second of the transfer deadline, Coach Osorio has been able to accomplish the impossible; signing 4 international forwards who can realistically help the team. Jorge Rojas - Venezuelan Captain. Gabe Cichero and Juan Pietravallo – midfield shin hackers who put fear into the opponents offense. And now Macounba Kandji – all 6 feet 4 inches of em – creating not only a large target for Van Den Bergh, Rojas, and Richards at goal, but a large distraction for Juan Pablo Angel to take advantage of.

Will this gamble be enough to catapult the Red Bulls into Championship contention? Share your thoughts.