Soler Swag for days

After what can only be described as a highly disappointing season in 2011, the Red Bulls, and more importantly their front office, certainly had their work cut out for them.  A roster filled with so much talent but woefully underachieved had to be revamped somehow.  And it was Erik Soler’s job to fit together the right pieces to assert New York as a top team once again.  So obviously selling Tim Ream was the logical next step… Wait, what?

So yeah, we’re down an MLS All-Star at center back, but have no fear, in Soler we trust.  Now remember, the centerback tandem that Backe rolled with for most of the 2011 season featured Ream alongside everyone’s favorite DP, Rafa Marquez.  However, it’s been well documented that Backe plans on featuring the beleaguered Mexican international in the midfield (causing a bit of a discussion as to personnel at CM and possible formations, but that’s a topic for another day.  What that essentially meant to Mr. Soler was that, lest he start Stephen Keel and Sacir Hot at center back on opening day, two more defenders were certainly on the Red Bulls wish list during the offseason.

The first pick up came from, where else, Scandinavia.  The country of choice this time?  Backe’s homeland of Sweden.  Enter Markus Holgersson.  I’m pretty sure his job is just to be tall… and I think he’ll be pretty good at that.  The 6’ 2” Holgersson could prove to be a useful target for Red Bull set pieces, and perhaps more importantly, a stalwart on preventing set piece goals on the other end.  And we all know how that went last year.

The second piece of the center back puzzle came in the form of Wilman Conde.  Yeah, remember him?  He was with the Fiiiii-yerrr from 2007-10 and an MLS Best XI defender in ’09.  Everyone’s favorite tactician, JCO, brought him to MLS in ’07 and was rumored to make the switch to NY along with Osorio, but the deal never quite happened.  Now he’s finally here, but which Conde will New York be getting?  If healthy and at the top of his game, there’s no question he’d be critical piece in helping to solidify a leaky Red Bulls’ defense.  Color me skeptical.  I don’t know how healthy Conde will be nor his form, as he was not at his best last season in Mexico with Atlas.  His play will go a long way to easing the pain of losing Ream to the Bolton Wanderers, or exacerbating it.

As for the 2012 SuperDraft, Soler continued to place little value in picking up up-and-coming college prospects as exemplified by trading yet another pick.  This time, Soler got some insurance on the forward line after making a deal with Portland for Kenny Cooper.  Cooper scored 8 goals in 34 appearances for the Timbers last season, but apparently Backe thinks his was mismanaged by John Spencer and that he will be much more effective in New York’s system.  Backe claimed that Cooper was signed due to an uncertainty that Luke Rodgers and/or Juan Agudelo would return for the 2012 season (visa issues and transfer speculation, respectively).  Now, the Red Bulls have a plethora of attacking options that allows for plenty of variability in formation and personnel choices, as stated earlier.  Without the Gold Cup this year, Backe should have plenty of weapons at his disposal (safe from any injuries, or his own disdain of substitutions).

What do you think of Soler’s moves this offseason? Net positive or net negative?  Is this team ready to compete with the MLS elite for an MLS title?  Lemme know down below, or on Facebook or Twitter.

What grade would you give Soler’s moves thus far this offseason?

Talk about a homecoming for Henry.  Amidst the Red Bulls struggles domestically, the Frenchman lead the first MLS team ever to compete in the annual tournament to a tie against his former club Arsenal in a gritty 1-1 draw.  After Joel Lindpere netted the lone goal in a win against PSG, New York was in position to take home the Emirates Cup trophy with just a tie needed against the English powerhouse.  And despite playing like pure dogshit against MLS competition, the Bulls rose to the occasion against superior opponents, taking it to PSG and Arsenal overseas.

While this tournament win will be seen Theirry’s time, let’s give credit where credit is due.  Not only did this team fly out to London just hours after the conclusion of the All Star game, but many then had to play two straight games without any reprieve.  Jan Gunnar Solli comes to mind as one of those grinders who went out and did his job despite the obvious fatigue that was setting in.  Much respect to those who put in 180 minutes over the two-day tourney.

Now the attention shifts back on the MLS schedule, with RSL on the tap.  When I was listening to the PSG-RBNY match, I heard the announcer say something about the Bulls winning just 12 of their last 88 road matches (correct me if I’m wrong).  Sounds about right, considering we didn’t win a match in all of ’09 away from the friendly confines of Giants Stadium.  New York are desperate for points, and there’s not much time left to do it.  Even with games at hand, New York are looking up in the Eastern standings.

Side note: I’ll be live blogging the match tonight, so stop by tonight about 8:45 and put your two cents in.

***********************************************************************************

Twitter – http://twitter.com/OffsideNYRB

Facebook – http://facebook.com/OffsideNYRB

Who is your MVP of the Emirates Cup?

The Red Bulls last two games have sent mixed messages, granted they were against very different opponents.  Taking on a rather weak Toronto squad, New York took it to Aron Winter’s squad with an emphatic 5-0 win.  Gotta say, it was pretty nice to see the offense firing on all cylinders.  Henry, Rodgers, Lindpere, and Agudelo all got on the board and all seemed right in the world of Red Bull.  Perhaps most importantly, New York posted a zero on the defensive end.  Yes, that’s right, a shut out for the Red Bulls.  Funny how in the beginning of the year, I actually had the audacity to believe that their defense prowess would hold up throughout the season; el oh el.

Then with DC into, the Scum played a rather solid game and pulled out a win courtesy of a Dwayne De Rosario goal (did you expect anything else)?  But hey, at least we got to hoist the Atlantic Cup, right? Yeah, that’s what I thought.  In a game where New York deserved to at least earn a tie, the Bulls couldn’t find a way to equalize and earn a share of the points.  And although De Ro’s goal couldn’t be blamed on poor goalkeeping, the damage had already been done throughout the balance of the year thanks to the less than stellar work of Bouna Coundoul and Greg Sutton.  With neither keeper proving to be dependable, Erik Soler made his move.

Soler delved into the depths of the Bundesliga and found German keeper Frank Rost.  At 6 foot 4, Rost combines the size of Sutton with the shot stopping ability of Bouna, but it all comes at a price.  The Red Bulls have filled their third and final DP slot to sign Rost, but it could be just what New York needs to get back on track.  At 38, Rost is hardly a spring chicken, nor in his prime.  But if goalkeepers have taught me anything, it’s that age does not define them.  You can look throughout the soccer world to see seasoned vets who still get the job done.  From the recently retired Edwin Van der Sar (40) at Man U, to Brad Friedel (40) at Tottenham, to Faryd Mondragon (40) right here in the MLS who as helped turn the Philly Bimbos into a quality team.  My only concern is how quickly Backe is throwing Rost into the fire.  After signing with the team just a few days ago, he will fly cross-country to LA and start when the Bulls take on Chivas.

What do you think of the new DP? Will the Red Bulls avenge their early season loss to Chivas?  Let me know down below.

***********************************************************************************

NEWS: There’s no place like home for the Tin Man Greg Sutton, who gets sent to back to his native Canada on loan to the Montreal Impact, his former team.

***********************************************************************************

Twitter – http://twitter.com/OffsideNYRB

Facebook – http://facebook.com/OffsideNYRB

Will the addition of Frank Rost solve RBNY’s defensive woes?

Well, it looks like Backe’s decision to make Thierry Henry the next Red Bulls captain is official.  After seeing Henry wear the armband in Wednesday’s friendly against Atlante, there was some speculation as to whether the decision would be carry over into the regular season.  This one definitely took my by surprise.  We all know that Henry is the most recognizable name on the roster and one of the greatest players of all time, but does that make him fit to lead this club?  I’m not so sure.

Now, this isn’t to say that I don’t think the Frenchman won’t be a good leader, because only the coaches and players out there on the pitch can make that call.  However, I do know that there were also some other deserving candidates that Backe passed up on.  For instance, Carlos Mendes, the most tenured Red Bull on the squad seemed like he would be a good fit.  However, he may not even be in the starting 11 this year, so it’s understandable that he wasn’t chosen to wear the armband.  The one person that I thought would be the best fit for team captain was Joel Lindpere, and apparently you all did too.  About two months ago, I put up a poll asking the very question of who would make the best captain, and Lindpere won in convincing fashion, taking in a little more than 46% of the vote.  Henry, on the other hand, received just 13 votes, good for 16.25%.

Although he is relatively new to the club, Henry has plenty of experience with captaincy, wearing the armband for both club and country (Arsenal and France).  In fairness, those are two names that are hardly anything to sneeze at.  Although this move comes as a surprise to me, I don’t think that this will be as much of a problem as it was when David Beckham took over captaincy for the Galaxy in 2007.  In that case, Beckham supplanted Landon Donovan as captain, causing some controversy within the team.  In New York, there was no clear successor to Juan Pablo Angel’s captaincy, so I don’t foresee too much uproar about this move.  What do you think about Henry being New York’s next captain?  Leave a comment below.

Was Making Henry the Next NYRB Captain the Right Call?Market Research

Last year, the Red Bulls had an almost perfect preseason, finishing at 7-0-3.  With the new look Bulls on the pitch for the first time in 2011, their undefeated streak continued.  Tyler Lassiter, Corey Hertzog, Salou Ibrahim, and Austin da Luz all converted from the spot to give NYRB their a win in their first preseason fixture.  Unfortunately, the game wasn’t streamed online so I had to resort to following the game on Twitter, but it did the job.  Post game reaction will be posted tomorrow and highlights are to come later in the week.  I’ll get those on the site when I can.

From what I read, it seems that New York played fairly well throughout the game.  However, the defense was under duress for the last few minutes as Sutton was forced into big saves and shots rang off the post.  However, the second half featured an entirely different lineup (aside from the keeper) that was composed of what you would expect to be reserve players.  Here’s how the Red Bulls lined up:

1^st Half

4-1-3-2

Sutton

Mendes, Marquez, Ream, Borman

Tchani

Richards, Lindpere, Solli

Agudelo, Henry (C)

2^nd Half

4-4-2

Sutton

Cortes, Lassiter, Keel, Schnieder

Kassel, Robinson (C), Rooney, da Luz

Chinn, Hertzog

Three second-half subs were inserted at the 71^st minute: Hot, Ibrahim, and Garcia for Cortes, Chinn, and Kassel, respectively.  I’m interested to see how the midfield operated with Jan Gunnar Solli on the left side and Joel Lindpere back in the middle.  Rafa Marquez also shifted from his holding midfield role to his natural position of center back, pairing with Tim Ream.  Among the things that interested me about this game (without being able to actually see the game, of course) was Backe’s decision to give Thierry Henry the captain’s armband.  A sign of things to come in the regular season?

TH14 wearing the armband for NYRB, a permanent move?

Hopefully, I can get the postgame interviews up tomorrow and then post the reacp whenever NYRB releases them.  Thoughts on the win? Surprised by any additions/omissions from the starting 11?  Let me know in the comments.

P.S. Yes, I’ve heard of the Klose rumors.  But as with the Anelka rumors, no need for me to perpetuate the BS that flies around in Eruope.  I’ve already seen the Anelka rumor shot down and I assume the same will be done with Klose sooner or later.  Again, until I get more concrete evidence, I see no purpose in building up people’s expectations prematurely.

Are You a Fan of Backe’s First Half Midfield?customer surveys

Well, it seems as though Don Garber’s “big announcement” was a big PR letdown and irked many MLS fans, but it works just fine for me.  Red Bull Arena will play host to the MLS All-Star game for the first time since 1997 back at Giants Stadium, although the opponent has yet to be released.  Season ticket holders get first dibs on these tickets, then partial plan holders.  People have been complaining because RBA holds a mere 25,000 fans, while just last year Reliant Stadium in Houston housed a record setting crowd of over 70,000.  Although RBA holds significantly less, the fans will create a great atmosphere as usual and will give it that marquee matchup feel.

On a side note, NYRB has unveiled their new away kit for 2011. Damn, I’m really feeling these.  Not what I was expecting but a pleasant surprise to say the least.  I still say the Red Bulls should rock a red and black striped third jersey, but this should suffice for now. Add this to the list of things to look forward to in 2011, leaving only one thing on my mind…

...is it March 19th yet???

Which Jersey Do You Like More?online survey

MLS has undergone a pretty drastic transformation right before our very eyes this offseason, one that has left me asking, “Where have all the stars gone?” alla Hershey’s Cookies and Cream commercials circa 1998.  Many of the league’s big name stars have hit the road for various reasons, leaving behind an opportunity for many of the leagues budding young talents to take their place.  Players such as Juan Agudelo and Fredy Montero will have a golden opportunity to further their growth and become bonafide stars in the MLS.  But let’s take a look at the damage so far, shall we?

Now, instead of trying to put all these names into a poetic paragraph, here’s a list I compiled of big name (though not necessarily at the top of their game) players that are no longer in MLS:

• Guillermo Barros Schelotto (CLB)
• Freddie Ljungberg (CHI)
• Nery Castillo (CHI)
• Brian McBride (CHI)
• Robbie Findley (RSL)
• Edson Buddle (LA)
• Jonathan Bornstein (CHV)
• Jaime Moreno (DC)
• Taylor Twellman (NE)

Robbie Findley and Edson Buddle will be taking their talents to second division teams in Europe, good career moves? Yikes, cheers gentlemen.

Remember what a big deal was made last year about the second meeting between the Red Bulls and Fire? 5 DPs on the pitch for the first time ever (that ironically never happened courtesy of Thierry Henry’s injury)?  Well, that same meeting today would feature but two, Henry and Rafa Marquez.  Whether you liked them or not, these names were the main attraction for their respective teams and, in some respect, for the league.  This is a list that consists of Designated Players, National team stars, All-Stars, League MVPs, and all-time leading goal scorers.  Now that the league is left bereft of all these big names, it will be interesting to see who steps up to take the spotlight.

And in a story that fits in with the theme of stars on the move, Juan Pablo Angel is officially a member of the LA Galaxy.  The stake has finally been plunged through the collective heart of Red Bull nation after being on life support for the few months.  JPA became the final piece to the DP trio in LA, that features Landon Donovan and David Beckham.  The only question now is, “How much does he have left in the tank?”  After being signed Angel had this to say about NY, classy as usual: “I want to take this opportunity to show my appreciation for the Red Bull supporters, me and my family will always be grateful for the love and support they gave us. I also want to thank the organization for allowing me to be part of their club. I spent four great years in New York and I will remember my time there fondly.”  I’m really interested to see how he fares with his new team and wish him nothing but the best.  Hopefully, I’ll be on hand at RBA when he makes his triumphant return.  Until then, one final salute to perhaps the greatest Red Bull to put on the uniform.

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.

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.

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!