The Red Bulls have released their protected list ahead of this Wednesday’s expansion draft. The following will not be calling the City of Brotherly Love home:

Juan Pablo Angel
Danleigh Borman
Bouna Coundoul
Kevin Goldthwaite
Jeremy Hall
Carlos Johnson
Macoumba Kandji
Carlos Mendes
Ernst Obster
Dane Richards
Seth Stammler

I look at the list and wonder; does this have Jeff Agoos and Richie Williams finger prints all over it? Or is the interim coach in limbo the one calling the shots? Strangely, I feel uncomfortable on both of those fronts. But that is a mystery for another time.

INCLUSIONS and EXCLUSIONS

I happen to be in the camp that feels the Carlos Johnson can bounce back after a tough season hampered by injuries and red cards. Yet even I would admit that it is a tough gamble to take under the circumstances. 11 slots are so few and valuable. Mike Petke, who was a rock in the back all season, has become waiver bait, and Petr Nowak just might bight on his veteran leadership. Is the Carlos Johnson gamble worth that type of loss?

A surprise name left unprotected is Nick Zimmerman. He showed a lot of promise in the midfield, and I am sure he will generate quite the sizable bleep on the Union radar screens. He has alot of the right tools, and it would be a shame to see him employ said talents against the Bulls on a regular basis.

Recently called up Red Bull Academy product, Giorgi Chirgadze will also be made available. Mind you, MLS rules say that any player selected would have to receive a senior contract, so the chances of him being scooped up are slim.

And what of Carlos Mendes? Just a few years ago, Mendes was a steady starting force alongside Jeff Parke in a stingy centerback combo. Last year, he saw more time on the bench than Juan Carlos Osorio. His inclusion came as a bit of a surprise, but the long time Red Bulls veteran seems to be earning a reprieve for 2010.

Finally, there is Danny Cepero. He lead the Red Bulls to the MLS Cup just last season, holding up a patch work defense in the process. His struggles this year bought about project player Bouna Coundoul, who has clearly gained favor with whomever is making these decisions. Now? He is at risk of being snatched away from the Bulls 2009 plans. What a difference a year makes.

What are your thoughts on the protected and the vulnerable?

Former All Star, MLS Cup Winner, Boca Jrs. Legend and league MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto has just been asked to take a sizable pay cut by the Columbus Crew, to the tune of $400k. He is 36 years old, and will be 37 in May, so a pay cut is naturally the way a team would look at such a player at this time in his career. But $400k? After all he has done?

Let me rattle off some facts for you:

- He has accumulated 19 goals and 22 assists in 51 regular season games.
- He has 2 goals and 6 assists in 5 postseason games.
- He was benched by the Crew in preference to a defensive style on the road leg of their series with RSL, but upon his insertion, he found the net. Twice.
- He single handedly turned the Crew around from perennial wanna-be to constant contender.
- He has won a grand total of 21 trophies in various competitions internationally and here in the US.

The guy does two things very well; get a team scoring, and get a team winning trophies, both critical to the future of Red Bull.

So what would you do if given the opportunity to sign him? Would he be worth a trade? And what would you place as his price tag? Have your say in today’s poll and comment below:

Guillermo Barros Schelotto:(answers)

Their quest for this goal has lead them to Red Bull trainee and Jeff Agoos pet project, Walter Garcia. Garcia is currently trialing with Leeds in hopes of securing a contract with the club. He notched only one appearance as a Red Bull, and will most notably be remembered as the final lynch pin pulled on the grenade that was the Agoos/Osorio partnership. As a matter of fact, he played so little time with the Red Bulls, that it is a challenge to find a picture of him with the teams kit!

Osorio felt that the investment and training put into an out of shape, former Argentine prospect would be a waste for a club that was itself trying to reformulate. If Garcia is taken by the England side, it will be Osorio who will have the last laugh in that argument.

Besides, as an Argie, it would stink to lose yet another countryman. Boo lack of Argies!

Dieter, Dietmar . . . close enough.

Dietmar Beiersdorfer, the new sporting director for worldwide Red Bull soccer operations, has descended upon New York and has brought with him a cloud of speculation. Is he here to hire a new GM? Perhaps weigh in on the coaching situation? Or is this just a big excuse to go eat at Peter Lugers steakhouse?

Let’s find out! Here are a few quotes of interest from MLSnet:

On The Clubs Offseason Direction:

“We have to decide as soon as possible because we have to plan the new season,” he said. “We talked also about the roster, I talked with Jeff [Agoos] and Richie [Williams] because they are in charge at the moment and with Chris da Silva, the head of scouting, and we go on from there. If anybody, and I think that it will be soon, goes with us this path and this way we are glad and I think it will help.”

On European Coaching Options:

“This is the gap to close because if you hire one who has not at least the ability to get used to the system, at least the intelligence to accept what the rules are, that will cause problems,” he said. “Therefore we have to take decisions which will last at least for a good development of the structure of the club.”

On Richie Williams:

“He’s a guy who has so much passion for this club and he knows the MLS and yeah, I think he made a real good impression,” he said.

On DP’s and Future Signings:

“I think [it is] important for sure that we bring our quality up on the team, that we play a real good season in the MLS,” Beiersdorfer said. “If we have a chance to bring in a player who is well known and can give us a big impact on the player side, inside, to make the other players better, but also on the communications side, media side, we will try and get a player signed who … first of all be a very good football player and be for sure also a Red Bull testimonial.”

Three lessons I learned from this read?

1 – He values Richie Williams work, and recognizes what he has accomplished. He also realizes that other teams would snatch him up in a second.

2 – He recognizes that not anyone can come into MLS and be successful, especially when looking into the intricate nature of managing in a league chock full of . . . ahem . . . “unique” rules and regulations.

3 – He isn’t telling anyone whether or not he will hire a sporting director or a coach first, regardless of the dangerous predicament the club is in with Williams able to move as he pleases.

What do you think of Dietmar’s responses? Surprised? Disappointed? Is Sprockets your thing, or am I losing you with the age gap (I am the oldest 29 year old ever, ever.)? Let us know what you think!

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!).

Here is an excerpt of the entry:

Now fast forward to Aug. 21. Just another practice for the Red Bulls in Montclair, N.J. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Same warm-up, same passing drills, then on to a 9 versus 9 scrimmage. Coach Juan Carlos Osorio was his usual self. Nothing felt different. However, upon returning to the locker room we were informed that our GM was there and we would be having a meeting. I didn’t think much of it because we have meetings all the time. When we were all gathered in the meeting room and ready to start, Osorio walked in and, with a few words, resigned. He thanked us for our hard work, wished us well and walked out. The place was silent. And so a new season started at that moment.

Our longtime assistant, Richie Williams, was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season and had one day to prepare us for our game against Dallas. He stood up and spoke. I can’t tell you exactly what he said, but I can tell you that they were the right words. Everyone walked out of that meeting knowing what was expected of them and that every game remaining is a final.

Richie Williams is reigniting this teams passion to play, after one of the worst starts to a season in MLS history. And the team seems to be buying into his message. The case for Head Coach 2010 continues to build in Little Richies favor . . .

Baby step to the contract. Baby step to the pen. Baby step put pen to paper. Baby step put pen down. Baby step talk about being a Red Bull and the honor it is to be representing your country in the United States league. Baby step thank local media.

Well. You get the idea.

This week? Pacheco has baby stepped his way on to an airplane, and is heading towards New York.

NEW DETAILS ABOUT THE LOAN DEAL

The article claims FAS President Reynaldo Valle affirmed the deal last week, and that Pacheco is anxious to get to New York and finalize it. But the elapsed time hasn’t been a complete waste; it looks like Red Bull have managed to make this a two year loan with an option to buy.

I guess the lesson was learned after Diego Jimenez took his one season loan and bounced.

“My agent completed the deal so that my contract is extended over two years,” said Pacheco to a local radio station.

This will come to the delight of Red Bull fans, who see the Pacheco signing as the most impactful of the Juan Carlos Osorio era. Look no further than our recent poll, which clearly illustrated this point, as Pacheco took nearly 40% of the vote in a field that included nearly all of Osorio’s recent signings.

He also highlighted some difficulties with the issuance of a work visa (told you so!) and some passport problems that should be cleared by this mornings flight. But that is par for the course in these transactions.

He is one step closer to becoming a Red Bull. Excited? Share your thoughts.

Depending on participation, I am looking to somehow come up with a first, second and third place prize to particpants. If we don’t have many people, we can always resort to a winner takes all system.

Here is what you need to know:

Go to MLSnet.com

Click the FANTASY button

Sign up your team

Look for a league, and type the following:

League Name: TheOffside
Password: garber
(case sensitive)

Its that easy.

I look forward to seeing you all there!

Meanwhile . . . your Weekend Poll:

Which Osorio signing will have the biggest impact this season?

REMEMBER: I am still looking for a humiliating picture to put on the Seattle Sounders page if the Red Bulls win (here is the bet). Email me your entries to daveredbulls@hotmail.com

Here are some news tidbits that may have been lost in the cracks.

- We will lead off with the man whom the rest of the world feels invented MLS; David Beckham. Only in the world of Major League Soccer can a trade made by an opposing team and some overseas megapower effect the actual season schedule of some team that has nothing to do with it. That is the case with the Red Bulls. As part of the Beckham loan deal, AC Milan will be making an impromptu visit to Los Angeles for a friendly against Beckhams sort of current team. Because of this game, the Red Bulls/Galaxy game at Giant Stadium, scheduled for July 18th, 2009, will fall on Thursday, July 16th.

Take that in for a minute; a meaningless friendly has now effectively changed the landscape of the MLS regular season – you know, the one for that piece of tin called “The MLS Cup.” Taking priority for a friendly game over your regular season? And I wonder why these Eurosnobs trash our league . . .

- RBNY put out a press release stating Jon Conway and Jeff Parke’s suspension terms have been modified by Don Garber, league commish, thanks to an appeal by the players union. Either player may participate in team training during the regular season now. For Parke, that means nothing, as he continues to roam Europe for a steady gig. For Conway, though, it is an opportunity he can ill afford to squander. This modification will enable Conway to make a harder, more driven push to becoming the eventual team starter. Danny Cepero clearly holds his fate in his hands, and won’t be looking to make Conways life any easier. Should be interesting to watch this melodrama play out as the season unfolds.

- Yes, the Bulls have signed Celades. But what about Pacheco? Take it easy everyone; it is MLS tradition to keep fans hanging in the wind while the league analysis a transaction for approval. I still feel Pacheco will be in an RBNY uniform sooner rather than later. And since his mom lives in LA, his route to a green card may be the only thing the team and the league is waiting for to announce the arrival. Mind you, Pacheco is still match fit, competing for his team in El Salvador. He should be able to make a seamless physical transition. Lets just hope he picks up on Osorio’s gameplan just as fast.

- Carlos Johnson’s signing may happen as early as this week. Keep your fingers crossed on that one . . .

- A reminder: New York Red Bulls vs. Crystal Palace Baltimore friendly tonight at 7. A few RBNY fans will be making their way down to Annapolis for the game. If anyone wants to share some video for the blog, let me know, and Ill give ya full credit.

- Finally, TheOffside homepage is featuring a quick preview of the MLS season, team by team. My post is right here, so take a click.

That’s all for now everyone! Share your thoughts on this crap below.