Jeter is breaking down the left flank, and he sends a beautiful cross to Johnny Damon.
Damon dribbles passed the defender and finds a wide open A-Rod!
A-Rod with a chipper to Matsui . . .
Matsui lines it up and hits a glancing head . . .
GOOOOOLLLLL MATSUI!!!! GODZILLA DOES IT AGAIN!!!
YANKEES LEAD 1-0!!!!

Ok, wrong World Series.

Jack Bell and the Times reports Red Bull have inked a multi-year deal to be the American home of the Football World Series (not to be confused with the baseball final or the World Series of Football). The format is simple; the tournaments take place in different areas of the world. Being that Red Bull is the host for the American event, they will be immediately inserted into the competition. Three international squads fill out the remaining card.

In Amsterdam, the three teams included host Ajax, Benfica, Sunderland and Atletico Madrid. Not a bad showing, especially for the soccer aficionado. This will also give the Red Bulls more opportunities to test their mettle against some of the best in the world in a tournament that may take place after the World Cup.

The multi-year aspect of this is exciting as well, securing supporters a look at world class competition, even if the participating teams will be playing during their off season. In my humble opinion, tournaments like this are necessary in drawing more of a spotlight to the American Soccer community.

What do you think? Cool or lame? Drop me a line, let me know . . .

Though the rain may have followed it’s way over from Giants Stadium to Red Bull Arena, and the sky was as gray as ever, it could not dampen nor cast a shadow on today’s accomplishment. Ladies and Gentlemen, say goodbye to plastic turf; the final piece of sod is in place, and the Red Bulls Kentucky Blue Grass pitch is finally complete.

Don Garber, Erik Stover, Richie Williams and players like Juan Pablo Angel, John Wolyniec and Mike Petke were all present for the final grass installation, among various other players, leaders and local officials. Though the occasion may have meant just another significant step forward in the Arena process, it means much more to the local supporters, who have primarily blamed the turf at Giants Stadium for cursing this franchise since it’s inception. A figurative “fresh start,” the new pitch signifies a step in the right direction for this franchise, and another significant achievement when looking towards 2010.

Check out the vid and enjoy (and enjoy Pantera too!).

Mark your calenders:

March 27th, 2010

The Red Bulls open up their season in the brand spanking new Red Bull Arena against a poetic opponent indeed: The Chicago Fire. And why poetic? Because of the suffering of the Osorio era. Truly, this will be the beginning of something new and special, against a quality and hated opponent. What more can a fan ask for?

Much better than the CRapids, I’ll tell you that!

What do you think of the opener? Suddenly, 2010 can’t come soon enough . . .

Thanks to the folks at RBR for the hook up.

Reporters yesterday were able to “ask the question of the week,” getting a few words in with Don Garber about the rumors of a potential sale of the team by Red Bull.

From Big Apple Soccer:

“This isn’t even a story,” Garber said. “It’s not for sale. It’s one of those things that comes out; some guy in his pajamas sitting in his kitchen and says ‘What kind of story can I write before they have a big announcement?’ It’s crazy, absoltutely untrue. The team is not for sale.”

This just goes along with Brian Lewis previous report of the rumors fallacy. So that’s that, right? Right?

The problem with a rumor like this is the following; no one will admit to a thing if it was true, and no one will be there to blame if it wasn’t. So this particular rumor will most likely be filed under “Cold Case.”

And what is a “Topping Off Ceremony?”

Wikipedia, do your work:

In building construction, topping out, or topping off, is a ceremony held when the last beam is placed at the top of a building. The term may also refer to the overall completion of the building’s structure. A topping out ceremony is usually held to commemorate the event.

So with that said, I will leave the rest of this posting to Chris. Treat him well (he is a good friend after all!) Enjoy!

BY CHRIS C.

New Jerseys finest dignitaries were in attendance for the topping off ceremony of Red Bull Arena. From the soccer world, to the political ring, the faces were easily recognizable to any Jerseyite; from Claudio Reyna to Senator Frank Lautenberg. Even “The Don” Donald Garber was there to lend his support (and feel his pockets getting fatter).

They topped off the final piece of the project with a tree, which I was told is the symbolic way of saying “Stage 1, done!” The afternoon started with Steve Cangelosi MCing (as he does in most RB events). He was followed by a bunch of politicians waxing poetic about what a great achievement this was (at which point I was busy checking e-mails on my blackberry).

Once that part of the event was over, they raised the final piece in place, which was either on the South or North end of the stadium (DAVE: It was hung by the future scoreboard, per RBR). Afterwards, I was able to say hi to Juan Carlos Osorio, and I also saw former Metro great Tab Ramos chilling with some RB crew.

Overall, it was an exciting time. And being able to see a stadium after a couple of years fandom (sorry guys, I became a fan after Dave did), it is pretty damn cool to see how Red Bull has come into the ownership of this team and worked so quickly to accomplish what Metro Media and AEG never could.

PS: Shep Messing still looks like he can be in goal, batting balls! Great guy.

img credit: Garden State Supporters

Here is some of the latest news surrounding the Bulls today:

- So here is your Carlos Johnson update (since nothing can ever be done easy around here . . . ). Johnson has signed a contract with the Red Bulls through a Colombian agent that he recently took on. The problem? His former agent still has exclusivity with her client, or so she claims. According to the NY Times article, “Jan H. Schiefloe, a California-based agent, claims that the Red Bulls directed Johnson to a Colombian agent, Reuben Caicedo.” This has caused her to speak out against Red Bull, in particular, Jeff Agoos. All I care about is seeing Johnson in an RBNY kit as soon as possible. And if this gets in the way, I am sure there will be plenty of RBNY fans voicing out their displeasure.

- And in a rare piece of MLS insight, the article also highlights Johnson’s salary information: “Johnson, 24, signed a one-year contract, with a three-year option, with the Red Bulls for a base salary of $90,000 and a $53,000 roster bonus this year, increasing to $119,790 in 2012. The deal included incentives that could exceed $40,000 a year.”

- It is now official (and I wish I could have reported this when I found out weeks ago!) – The Red Bulls are honoring current season ticket holders by freezing their season ticket package prices for the 2010 season! Take a read here.

- Jack Bell at the New York Times has a wonderful write up on the past, present and future of Red Bull Arena, featuring some quotes from Mr. Erik Stover. Click here for the write up.

- Steve Goff reports the pending MLS return of US National Team Defender and New Jersey product, Gregg Berhaltar. Anyone interested?

- Ives has his MLS soccer rankings up for this week. The good news? Red Bulls aren’t the bottom of the barrell (they are just 13th!). The bad news? This weeks opponent, the Chicago Fire, are #1. Oh joy.

- And finally . . . I have to say that I am quite pleased with RBNY’s efforts to advertise the team in a variety of different ways. The “Bulls on Parade,” for as hokey as some people claimed it was, generated a viral “weird” factor that got peoples attentions. This latest effort is very cool – taking a high powered projector into the city, and having it run RBNY highlights the whole way through, while the street team does its juggling in front of it. For a team that has long desired a vamping of its advertising techniques, this year, they are taking it to a new level. Check out the video below!

New York Red Bulls: Projections from Red Bulls Reader on Vimeo.

*** Courtesy of RedBullsReader ***

img. credit: Laurent Gillieron/AP Photo

The Buildings Exterior

The Steel Beams for the Mesh Roofing

Section 101

The Second Concourse Level, Exclusively On The East Side Building

The Media Area in the West Building

The Players Entrance Area, Locker Room Area

UPDATE: RBR has an unbelievable feature, which is a virtual tour of the finished RB Arena. You can even catch a view from a specific seat! Click here to check it out!

UPDATE II: I have 60 pics from the walk through on my facebook account. Search daveredbulls@hotmail.com, and check em out.

Well, I had the privilege of walking the new Red Bulls Arena yesterday with VP of Communications, Mr. Andrew McGowan. Andrew was able to offer us details on the stadium construction, including approximate milestone dates (such as time frames for seating, the installation of grass and so on), important structural insight, as well as infrastructural information and so on.

Some highlights of the visit:

- There are no bad seats in the house. Seriously. From the first row to the sideline is 21 feet. The second level on the eastern building slopes down and in an oscillating semi-circle fashion that, at its highest point, holds 26 rows of seats. There is a full view of the action no matter where you are.
- And if the view needed to get any better, the North and South side of the Arena will feature two huge monitors for people to follow along with the action.
- There is also talk about a wrap around electronic graphic, like they do in hockey games. Should add to the atmosphere.
- The Western Building is the Arena’s base of operation, housing both teams locker room areas, press boxes and interview rooms, some conditioning areas as well as the infamous Red Bull Corner Pub (which has a pretty large central air system for those of you interested). It also houses the only elevator shafts in the arena.
- The locker room area will have a glass wall of sorts for fans to walk by and catch a glimpse of their favorite players. I am sure we won’t see Juan Pablo Angel in a towel (sorry ladies) but you get the idea.
- When asked about the RB Pub’s availability for away games, Mr. McGowan stated,”I am sure they will be able to work something out to keep the place open on off days.” Let’s cross our fingers, as the reserved area for the pub will be a large and accommodating space.
- All supporters groups will be seated in the south section of the Arena, which will be aptly numbered “101.”
- You can walk around the entire bowl of the arena. Can’t wait to take a nice stroll during a hot August day.
- There is no bench seating anywhere in the stadium.
- The place is made to contain and sustain sound. From the wrap around mesh rooftop to the concrete base and the aluminum second tier seating, RB Arena will be a deafening experience for visiting sides.
- “Kentucky Blue Grass” will be the grass of choice for this bad boy.
- The stadium holds 10,823 lower bowl seats, with 340 open, wheelchair accessible areas. The upper bowl seats 13218, with 332 wheelchair areas.
- The completion for the seating should be sometime in September/October of this year.
- The completion of the grass field may happen in about two months time.
- The grass field will feature a PGA style draining system for the grass. In instances of heavy downpour or in climate weather, the drainage system acts like a vacuum beneath the grass, soaking up the precipitation as to not effect the field performance.
- And, as far as transportation is concerned, well, its not a concern. The PATH train literally stops a parking lot away from the Arena. And driving is a breeze, especially for New Yorkers coming from the Lincoln Tunnel (15 minutes at the most with no traffic).

Walking through the stadium is a dream for long suffering Metro-Bull fans who have been waiting for this day to come since the clubs inception in 1996. To the Red Bulls credit, keep in mind that the first steel beam was erected just this past August. And that accomplishment was only after 2-3 months of the Red Bulls securing the rights to build. Now, a measly 6 months later, the skeleton of the stadium is nearly complete, and the dream is one step closer to becoming a reality.

Part two of this walk through will include plenty of video of the sites and sounds of Red Bull Arena. Click HERE for PART II of our Red Bull Arena Tour!

The Drive Up To Red Bull Arena . . .