October 24 will be the end of an era (error?) for New York soccer. Toronto FC will be the final opponent on that cursed rubber pitch that has haunted this franchise for 14 years now. Yes fans, the day has come. It is finally over.

No more unpredictable bounces. No more turf burn. No more NFL lines (THANK GOODNESS). No longer will a cavernous stadium of 70,000 seats over shadow the people who are there to fill them. No more issues with security personnel who never understood the nature and culture of soccer (hopefully). No more spiral staircases. No more anonymity in a stadium that is supposed to be called your home. No longer will the team be forced to perform on a pitch that was once described as an equivalent to the dilapidated Estadio Saprissa in Costa Rica for it’s shabby surface. No more holding your breath every single time a player hits the concrete turf awkwardly. No more will this burden of a Stadium interfere in the way the beautiful game is supposed to be played. Period.

So let’s close the chapter on this concrete swamp with thoughts of Kentucky Blue Grass, 25,000+ seats (that have the teams logo plastered all over them), walls honoring a history of MetroBull soccer that has been denied the fans for so long, and a quality place for the team to call home. That will be Red Bull Arena, 2010.

Though you may have had your historical moments in New York soccer history, oh Giants Stadium, you have been the bane of this franchises existence for far too long. It’s time to turn the page. Finally.

Here it is. Like The Riddle Of The Great Pyramids, the Red Bulls have been staring at this mathematical equation for the better part of two seasons now, and that number continues to escalate. 25 game winless streak on the road. Another Osorio record. But can Richie turn it around against San Jose?

It’s possible. The Red Bulls have romped all over San Jose this season, once in regular season play (4-1 at home) and once in the US Open Cup play in. If you can recall, the league fixture was the game where Osorio decided to throw out the old playbook in order to implement an effective diamond midfield formation in a 4-4-2, which immediately paid dividends, with strong performances all around, most notably from Mac Kandji, who is on a bit of a snide lately. Man, could he use another game like that again!

San Jose, meanwhile, has also toiled in mediocrity. Accumulating only 6 wins this season, the hapless side has seen more wrong turns than Steve Howes baseball career. If ever an opponent was ripe for the pickings, it is the Earthquakes.

The Red Bull staff knows that every game is a game they play for their jobs. Can the Bulls achieve a road win for the first time in 15 months and three weeks (but who is counting!)? Share your thoughts.

(Game, tonight at 11pm, on FSC)

Making the trip for the Red Bulls, along with Goldthwaite and Oebster are Juan Pablo Angel, Danleigh Borman, Andrew Boyens, Alberto Celades, Danny Cepero, Bouna Coundoul, Jeremy Hall, Alfredo Pacheco, Mike Petke, Dane Richards, Jorge Rojas, Luke Sassano, Seth Stammler, Sinisi Ubiparipovic, John Wolyniec and Nick Zimmerman.

Notable exclusions include Mac Kandji, who is nursing a hammy, Leo Krupnick and Matt Mbuta.

If Osorio’s reputation for defensive minded road soccer were to proceed him, we will be looking at a 4-5-1 formation. Dreck I know, but even in the face of lesser danger (please see this past weeks Colorado debacle), the coach has always chosen the “bunker down” mentality over attack minded football. Who says that this will be any different?

With this particular grouping, I would love to see a diamond formation 4-4-2, which bought the team some success way back in May (and yes, success is a stretch, but you get what I mean):

———–Angel–Richards———–
————-Celades—————–
Obster———————–Zimmerman
————-Stammler—————-
Pacheco–Goldthwaite—Petke—–Hall
————–Bouna——————–

Bench: Boyens, Borman, Cepero, Rojas, Sassano, Sinisa, Wolyniec

Having Kandji and Mbuta unavailable make it tantamount in my eyes to use Richards up top to create a speedy threat at the top of the field, while not sacrificing the service on the wing sides. Seth Stammler, who has played plenty of centerback in the past, will be a good cushion for the returning Goldthwaite and Petke combination. Meanwhile, Hall and Pacheco should have a good amount of maneuverability, with two skilled wings to back and cover for. Expect some action on the defensive wing side, both on the offensive and defensive ends. And I am also willing to give Bouna a pass for that last game as no one on the team seemed to show up for the youngins’ return to Colorado.

I may be around later for a running commentary, depending on interest. Also, I want to remind everyone:

SAVARESE: INDUCTION TO THE ESC LEGION OF HONOR
Pregame celebration starts at 7pm at Nevada Smiths
Game starts at 8pm.
Nevada Smiths
74 3rd Ave # 1
New York, NY 10003-5517
(212) 982-2591

BE THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And let’s hope for the best possible result for tonight’s clash. This is your season, guys.

Well, maybe not. But it wouldn’t be a bad idea! The team has played in nine Independence Day games. Their record? An astounding 1-7-1, most recently made worse by a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of the Rapids just last year (sound familiar?). That is almost as bad as their road record this year.

Almost.

Here is the breakdown of those games:

1996: Colorado 2 – Metrostars 1

1997:Tampa Bay 1 – Metrostars 0

1998: Colorado – Metrostars 0

1999: New England 3 – Metrostars 2

2001: Tampa Bay 1 – Metrostars 2

2002: Dallas 2 – Metrostars 0

2005: Salt Lake 2 – Metrostars 2

2006: Los Angeles 1 – Red Bull 0

2008: Colorado 4 – Red Bull 0

Pretty scary.

Their opponent this year happens to be the “other” worst team in the league, FC Dallas. Maybe that will be exorcism enough for the Bulls to pick up a win, but with their history on the fourth, and their current road slide, I wouldn’t bet on it.

And if this depressing cake needed an extra topping, you could definitely sprinkle some DVB on it. That’s right; this will also be the first time the Bulls have seen much missed fan favorite Dave Van Den Bergh since his offseason departure. Left wing has been a black hole since he left the team, and I am sure Van Den Bergh will be more than willing to remind Red Bull what they have been missing (The curse of DVB?! Maybe just this year . . . ).

All of this spells a tough time in Frisco, Texas. A bit harder than most would expect. Can the Bulls pick up the elusive road win and end two curses in one performance?

That is the first thought that comes to mind in this rematch of the MLS Cup Final, as the Bulls travel out to Columbus to face the Crew. And wouldn’t you know it; the Crew will be given their championship rings in a pregame ceremony. How fitting.

Schelotto and his league leading 10 goals will be aiming their cannons at the Red Bulls early and often. Petke is still out for the game, so a combination of Goldthwaite and Mendes will be shouldering the defensive load for a team that has given up the most goals this season (27), tied only with San Jose.

The Bulls still have Kandji, Celades and Angel listed as questionable for the game, and with the season slipping through their fingertips, it is a wonder how they will make up for the losses in the offensive end. It is practically surgical the way the heart of the offense has been taken out here. This is a team that has only managed to score 14 times out of 17 games (a league low). To say the odds are against them is an understatement.

The team is currently dead last in the eastern division, tallying the most losses in the league (11), and tied for least wins (2) with Los Angeles. If there is any hope of a turnaround, they are going to have to do it while limping.

TFC boasts one of the strongest midfields in the league. Lead by the surprisingly cohabitable tandem of Guevara and DeRosario, the Maple Leafs have been a terror to all visitors this season. The Red Bulls defense has been mightily decimated, with starting centerbacks Mike Petke and Kevin Goldthwaite out of action for this one. Do not be surprised to see Osorio wheel out a rare road 3-5-2 formation, featuring Hall, Pacheco and Boyens anchoring the backline.

Other news includes the potential absence of team captain Juan Pablo Angel tonight, as he is suffering, and has been suffering, from turf related ailments for quite some time. A day off could do the captain some good as he continues to struggle this season (well, by his standards anyway). This will likely leave the load of the offensive responsibility on Mac Kandji’s shoulders. And who knows; we may see a rare John Wolyniec start!

The team has there backs to the wall. And winners respond when they are put into that position. Tonight, the Red Bulls, though severely depleted, are fighting for their season and for some respect. We shall see how the team responds.

The game will be on MSG tonight at 7:30 p.m.

(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images for New York Red Bulls)

This will be a feature that will highlight only the finest in art, music and entertainment, bought to you by the local musicians and songwriters representing the Mighty ESC, Garden State Supporters, Red Bull Nation and other purveyors of the fine arts..

Indeed, the art world is well represented with our first feature. Grab you pipe and velvet robe, take a seat on your finest leather coach, and pour yourself some fine Chardonnay to accompany this masterpiece.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring you this weeks Supporter Song Spotlight; a classic in every right.

Cheers:

YOUR MAYOR SMOKED CRACK

Your Mayor smoked crack,
Your Mayor smoked crack,
Hey ho DC you blow,
Your Mayor smoked crack.

(repeat)

Overview

Seventeen winless matches on the road, in a row, for your New York Red Bulls. A five game winless streak for DC. Who will turn around their inept ways? That is the question as we head into tonights classic “Atlantic Cup” (I hate that name) derby.

Though DC is in the midst of this winless streak, they have been picking up points through some hard fought ties, keeping them within striking distance of the Chicago Fire, the current Eastern Standing kings. The Bulls, meanwhile, have put in massive effort on the field, but can’t seem to get their arms around “winning.” To make matters worse, the international calender will leave them short on talent as well.

Whats At Stake

When New York faces DC, everything is at stake. It is no secret that United has absolutely owned the Bulls this season through two meetings (US Open Cup included). So make no bones about it; DC will be happily looking to bury the Bulls season further into the abyss. The Bulls, meanwhile, can use this match as a spring board towards better fortunes with a win. Victory against your arch rivals is that much sweeter, and may be the remedy to cure the Bulls of their road woes.

Players To Watch

BIG MAC KANDJI: MLSnet.com has Mac Kandji listed as questionable for tonight’s encounter with a strained hammy. By all accounts I have heard, he will be starting regardless. Mac will be facing a tough centerback duo in Namoff and Jakovic. If one is to believe Shep Messings account of an inured Angel, that would only magnify the actions of the young Senegalese warrior. The Bulls will definitely be leaning on Kandji to open up the scoring.

LUCIANO EMILIO: Someone awoke the sleeping giant. Emilio is back to his old self, scoring five goals in eleven starts this season. With Metro Killer Ben Olsen out with a blown hammy, the reliance will be on Emilio to be no only the scorer, but the antagonist as well.

PROBABLE LINEUP:

DC United (3-5-2)

—–Emilio—Moreno—–
———Fred————
Quaranta———–Wallace
—Pontius—Simms—-
–Namoff-Jakovic-Burch–
——–Crayton———-

Red Bulls (4-5-1)

———-Angel———–
Kandji—-Celades—Richards
—Stammler-Pietravallo—-
Borman-Petke-Goldthwaite-Hall
———Conway———–

Prediction

RFK has always been unforgiving. And barring some miracle, the Bulls will likely take a very defensive stance to begin the game. If the Bulls can weather the storm that will be the first 30 minutes of the game, they may be able to come out of RFK with a tie, perhaps a win. But history says otherwise.

DC 1 – RBNY 0
Moreno

OVERVIEW

Juan Carlos Osorio is desperately trying to take advantage of this four game homestand. The Bulls have dug themselves into such a deep hole that this prolonged stay at home could mean the difference between playing golf or getting in the playoffs. I know that seems like an overstatement with so much time left, but MLS teams are much more competitive now adays, and those easy wins are few and far between.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Fire, have done well this season (first in the east), but far from the lofty expectations thrust on them this offseason. Though they have been affectionately deemed “The Tie Machine” by some fans, they do carry the threat of the leagues leading scorer, Brian McBride, along with one of the most lethal midfields around. Osorio and the Bulls will have their hands full as they try to gain three points at the swamp.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

It only seems fitting that this weekends clash against the Chicago Fire hold so much weight. Over the past two years, the Fire have been an absolute thorn in the side of the Bulls, taking 4 out of 4 games from them in that time frame. It might have something to do with Juan Carlos Osorio ditching them like a prom date who didn’t put out. Lucky guess, I dunno.

If you are curious, the Bulls have been beaten by the Fire 1-0, 1-0, 5-1 and 5-2 in that time span. The latest defeat probably felt like the worst, as the Bulls could not produce one solitary goal, playing a man up for most of the match, causing the team to fall flat in Chicago.

This game is key to the Bulls. They are on one of their better stretches of the season, which isn’t saying much, but it is a stretch that can be built upon. They are 1-1 in this homestand and can ill afford to drown in mediocrity anymore than they already have. Chicago, ever the opportunist, may be looking to take this shot to bury the Bulls further in the East standings. In doing so, they will further strengthen their standings. Just because they have a plethora of ties this season doesn’t mean they haven’t achieved successes. It only means that they are coming out of the majority of their games with a point. Chicago looks to bolster its standings, while the Bulls desperately attempt to crawl out of the gutter.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Physicallity. Lots of it.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Albert Celades. With Rojas and Johnson missing the following two games, the honus of success in the midfield falls squarely on Celades shoulders. It will be up to him to keep the attack fluid in the midfield and, perhaps, get his teammates involved in the action as well.

Brian McBride. The leagues leading scorer has also become an inspirational leader for the Fire. McBride going up against Petke and Goldthwaite will undoubtably be the match up of the night.

PROBABLE STARTING ELEVEN:

RED BULLS:

——-Angel–Kandji———
Borman–Celades—-Ubiparipovic
———Stammler———–
Pacheco-Petke-Goldie—-Hall
———-Conway————-

CHICAGO:

——-Nyarko-McBride———
Thorrington-Blanco-Pause-Pappa
Prideaux-Soumare-Conde-Ward
———-Busch————–

PREDICTION:

RBNY 1 – 1 CHICAGO
(Kandji, Nyarko)

PREDICTION RECORD: 2-6

OVERVIEW

The Houston Dynamo have enjoyed a good amount of success and respect since their inception to the league. But there has been this one itch that they haven’t figured out how to scratch yet. That itch? Your New York Red Bulls.

The first encounter between these two clubs was a chippy battle in Houston, featuring a midair head clash between Danny Cepero and Kei Kamara, resulting in a concussion for the former. And that was not all. In total, there were 27 fouls, 6 yellow cards, 2 ejections and a partridge in a pear tree. With the Bulls stealing a point on Orange soil, you can expect a defensive, but not tepid Dynamo.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

The Dynamo are riding a dominating three game winning streak. The Bulls are coming off of their first true dominant performance of the season, looking to build on the momentum. What makes this all the more important for the Red Bulls (2-6-2) is that they need to build off of that win in order to turn around their early season woes. With three games remaining in the swamp, and a long road stretch on the horizon, a loss here could cause a snowball that no Metro Bull fan will want to see.

WHAT TO EXPECT

All indications are that Osorio will likely employ the same midfield diamond 4-4-2 formation, with a tweek here and there. Word has it Richards may be finding his starting spot again, after this past weeks benching. Expect Celades to man the pitch as well.

As I said earlier, Houston will come out defensive, but don’t expect them to lay down for anyone. This three game streak signifies their best stretch of games since the season started. Brian Ching is heating up for the Orange, as is Stuart Holden. If the Red Bulls can maintain pressure and avoid mistakes, they could take this one from under the Dynamos nose.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

JORGE ROJAS – This weekends breakout performance was the Jorge Rojas many Bulls fans have been waiting for. With two goals heading past Joe Cannon, expectations have been raised for sure. And, with Albert Celades looking to get a nod as well, will Rojas be able to find that rhythm once more? Much of the Red Bulls attack may depend on him.

RICARDO CLARK – Ricardo was the player I chose to highlight for the last game between these teams, and for good reason, he gets an encore. Clark has the ability to disrupt a midfielder like a true destroyer would. With the Bulls riding a small wave of confidence, Clark could really do much by knocking them down a peg.

POSSIBLE STARTING LINEUP

Houston (4-4-2)

Ching, Kamara
Mullen, Clark, Davis, Holden
Hainault, Cameron, Boswell, Mullrooney
Pat Onstad – Richard Mulrooney, Bobby Boswell, Geoff Cameron, Andrew Hainault – Brian Mullan, Ricardo Clark, Brad Davis (Corey Ashe 83) – Stuart Holden – Kei Kamara (Chris Wondolowski 94+), Brian Ching (Ade Akinbiyi 85). Substitutes Not Used: Mike Chabala, Tally Hall, Julius James, Craig Waibel

New York – 4-4-2 (4-1-2-1-2)

Angel, Kandji
Celades
Rojas, Richards
Stammler
Pacheco, Petke, Goldie, Johnson
Cepero

PREDICTION

The Dynamo suffer another heart breaker against the Red Bulls, after a valiant effort on the road.

RBNY 1 – DYNAMO 0
(Celades)