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

As Nat Baker traverses the Tri-State area, it’s me and Mark Fishkin manning the helm. We are taking a look back at the tie against the Chicago Fire, and we take your e-mail! A good short listen, as we hit you up with TWO – count ‘em, TWO – episodes this week.

CLICK THE LINK, DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST, SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES, AND HIT ME UP IN THE COMMENTS SECTION!

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Thierry Henry and Juan Pablo Angel have already demonstrated the kind of headaches they may cause teams throughout the league with their creativity, experience and striking prowess. Rafael Marquez will undoubtedly be expected to provide the calming distribution this team has lacked in the midfield all season. And the idea of all three players taking the pitch simultaneously for the Red Bulls have many seeing Championship trophies on the horizon.

But is it too soon?

I am handing the say to you: Just how far will Red Bull make it this season with the addition of their third designated player? Have your vote, and let the debate begin below!

Just How Far Will Three DP’s Take Red Bull This Season?online survey

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!

. . . AAAAAAAAAAAAAND one more text makes it official!

Weeks in the making, the Red Bulls have finally put another “worst kept secret in soccer” to rest; Rafa Marquez is now officially a Red Bull.

Here he is speaking about his new American adventure on the Red Bulls site . . .

Juan Pablo Angel, Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez . . . these ain’t your Osorio Bulls! Share your thoughts on the new Holy Trinity of American Soccer (or the Barca Bulls . . . whichever floats your boat!).

That was my reaction when Thierry Henry sent in a pinpoint lob to the feat of the onrushing Colombian striker, which he buried into the back of the net, and followed up with an enormous, nearly loving caress of his newest teammate. It was the strongest indication to date of the endless possibilities this one signing can make on a franchise wrought in misfortune (the second strongest indication? Henry’s ability to read the field, play Angel into open space, and lead the Bulls to their second notch of the game).

Tomorrow, the Red Bulls will be holding a press conference to announce the signing of their third and final Designated Player, and with that, another move in becoming one of the leagues most dominant franchise.

You read that right; one of the leagues most dominant franchises.

It has been the dream of MLS since it’s inception; have two perennial powers in New York and Los Angeles representing the very best teams in the brightest and most important markets this country has to offer. Red Bull is making that dream a reality.

With Thierry Henry’s signing, the Bulls have already gone from being the improving overachievers to a serious threat in little over two weeks. With the pending press conference tomorrow, presumably to announce the signing of Rafa Marquez, they make yet another move to solidify the core of this team into a true contender.

With Marquez playing the distributor and stopper role in a diamond midfield, the Bulls will have the opportunity to transform their biggest weakness to one of it’s strongest assets. As recounted on these pages, Marquez strength comes as a leader and distributor, best highlighted by his play over the past year in the middle with Mexico. His inclusion will transform the look in the middle, making him the sole general of the backfield. Joel Lindpere will be able to return to his natural position on the left hand side of the pitch. The right midfield will suddenly have a plethora of natural position players ready to make an impact, including Jeremy Hall, Dane Richards, Irving Garcia, and even Macoumba Kandji, who has shown a propensity to adaptation as a mid. With a good attacking option in the middle of the pitch, like a Tony Tchani, Sinisa Ubiparipovic or the aforementioned Kandji, Rafa Marquez will have an open field of capable and dangerous players at his disposal to distribute to and help expose defenders league wide.

Like Henry, Marquez brings a resume a mile long with him to the position. His ability to command the respect of his teammates should yield a natural leadership role on the pitch that this midfield has desperately been seeking. With Henry and Angel taking the helm up top, Marquez marching the kids downfield, and Petke and Mendes offering the experience to guide the backlines, the Red Bulls find themselves with a team that, by MLS standards, has a steady and dangerous presence on all sides.

Quite a transformation from 2009, no?

The brand is expanding.

Anyhow, I want to jump into this as quickly as possible, and update everyone on the goings on around Red Bull land. So here goes . . .

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- ESPN DEPORTES REPORTS RAFA MARQUEZ SIGNS WITH RBNY. Add ESPN Deportes to the growing list of sites touting the signing of the Mexican captain. Rafa Marquez has been given the opportunity to transfer out of Barcelona for free, but only to the New York Red Bulls. Talk about connections! This caveat in negotiations has seemingly allowed the Bulls to wrap up the star centerback/defensive midfielder to a three year contract worth somewhere in the vicinity of $2.5-3 million per year. According to the article, the announcement may take place as early as this Friday. As has been the case the past few weeks, nothing is concrete as of yet, but I’ll keep you abreast of situations as I hear them.

- BTW . . . did my source not say two weeks? Just sayin’ . . .

- BOLTON And BLACKPOOL SHOW INTEREST IN KANDJI - Who says nothing good comes out of these friendlies? Macoumba Kandji has spent the past two seasons struggling through injuries and mismanagement. Before that, he was one of the hottest forward prospects in the American market. After two outstanding performances against Man City and Tottenham, it looks like Kandji has garnered some overseas attention. According to The Sun (yes, I know), Bolton and Blackpool are keeping tabs on the Senagalese big man. Let’s see where that one goes . . .

- JOHN WOLYNIEC. The inevitable took place early this week. Woly will no longer be a part of the Red Bulls roster, but he may still be around the team. In a move that is earning much praise throughout the fan base, the Red Bulls organization have offered Wolyniec a coaching position to stay with the team. Wolyniec has yet to respond, but the simple gesture of making the offer to the New York native and Red Bull fan favorite is earning the team high praise in a season where they seem to be doing just about everything right.

- LOS ANGELES GALAXY GAME AT RED BULL ARENA = SOLD OUT . . . and without Beckham to boot! Imagine that!

- I WAS ON THE RADIO . . . IN EDMONTON - Canada is going soccer crazy. Naturally, they are looking for boots-on-the-ground insights on Thierry Henry and his impact to the team. So, Jim Kerr of i880 reached out and I was his featured guest. I’ll post the interview as soon as I get it in my grubby hands.

- JUAN PABLO ANGEL, ALL STAR. Bruce Arena will be seeing a familiar face on the pitch; Juan Pablo Angel. Though he was not named to the original starting XI, Angel will be featured in this game against Manchester United in Houston. Check out the festivities tonight on ESPN2 at 8:30pm.

- “FRIENDLY” DANE RICHARDS . . . is my new nickname for our favorite Jamaican! If you want to know why, tune into Episode 21 of Seeing Red! tomorrow night. Until then, enjoy anyone of our 20 current episodes on iTunes! Subscribe and stay informed.

- FINALLY, THE OBLIGATORY HENRY STUFF . . . you have to check out this video. Matchday 360 by MLSSoccer.com. Epic.

Conversely, Marquez involvement with “El Tri” and his rough style of play, including two egregious red cards against the United States Mens National Team over the course of his career, has cast a cloud over the hardcore supporters of the team. Marquez has long been the opposing face of this CONCACAF rivalry, and the thought of local fans having to embrace him as one of their own seems almost alien to some. Still, many others, from DC United’s Dema Kovalenko to Mexico’s own Cuauhtemhoc Blanco, have been able to change doubters into believers. Marquez will likely follow the same path.

And like any CDM worth his grain in salt, his timing could not have been more perfect. The Red Bulls midfield has been suffering greatly as this season has worn on. Carl Robinson, who was to be the great solution in the New York defensive midfield spot, has spent most of his time injured or unfit. Seth Stammler has been unable to adequately play the position, leaving much to be desired on the distribution aspect of the game. Other options, like a Sinisa Ubiparipovic and Tony Tchani, started the season off strongly, but have struggled to secure the middle of the pitch as of late. Their inability to offer consistency in the middle has lead to a lack play on the wing side, with no one capable of making a connecting, threatening pass. With the wings nullified, they would need to at least be able to march the middle of the pitch, but they are lost there as well with no one on the team being able to distribute as an attacking mid.

Marquez can be a key component in changing this. Coach Hans Backe has indicated that he may want to look at a diamond formation for the comfort of his new DP, which would ideally run all the play from the back through Rafa. This may open the door to a left sided return for Joel Lindpere, whom is most dangerous from that spot (if you need an example of this, simply witness Henry’s goal in the previous post). That move alone would immediately resolve two of the midfields four current question marks. If the Bulls could find logical pieces to complete a connection to their Henry/Angel duo, they could quickly become the most threatening offense in the league, bar none.

Is this the direction you want to see the team going? Will Marquez make a large enough impact on the pitch? Will Red Bull Arena become a hot bed of soccer? Shall we call the team the “Barca Bulls” now? Share your thoughts on these developments after the jump.

(A Barcelona player of talent and class being rumored to join New York for nearly an entire year . . . sounds familiar?)

Marquez would represent the third and final Designated Player allotted to the New York franchise. As has been discussed here ad nauseum, he would be a player who would immediately stabilize an erratic midfield while bringing an interest from the Mexican fan base which could only be rivaled by fellow countryman, Cuauhtemoc Blanco.

Yahoo sports quotes Rafa Marquez in a recent article discussing his possible future in New York:

“I want to leave Barcelona in a good way, I hope to get my passage to solve my future soon in the MLS or outside of MLS. I want to continue playing in the United States, Mexico or wherever the opportunity presents itself to me.”

Rightfully so, they point out Hans Backe’s familiarity with the Mexican Icon, having played assistant to the national team under Sven Goran Eriksson to further the link between both player and club.

And if further reports uncovered by Brian Lewis of the New York Post are any indication, the link between player and club may be stronger than we thought. Quoting Sport.es, he notes that a deal has been reached in principal which would wind up paying Marquez $2.8 million dollars a year for 3-4 years of service. The one hitch? A hefty transfer fee which still may apply if Barcelona wishes to part ways with the Mexican star.

A point that hasn’t really received much press is the praise that was heaped onto FC Barcelona during the Thierry Henry press conference last week. It began with the official announcement of the signings, where Dietmar Beiersdorfer made a point of acknowledging the role Barcelona played in allowing this transfer to happen, followed by Erik Soler, who echoed statements in several one on one interviews. Even in Thierry Henry’s closing words, he seemed to go out of his way to thank the organization for their critical role in making his dream of becoming a Red Bull a reality.

Perhaps I am reading to deeply into it, but it would seem smart business for the Red Bulls organization to employ such a tact if they are seeking to undertake more talent from the legendary Catalan club. I mean, if there is more negotiating to be done, they might as well do it with the right face forward. What better way than to thank the team publicly on the biggest stage in this teams history?

Other names continue to surface around the Red Bulls organization, but none as persistently or as reliable as Marquez. Can any of this be believed? Or have Red Bull been dragged into the silly season of international summer transfers? Share your thoughts after the jump.

Yes, I went there.

Still, there is no denying his skill set, vision, and poise on the ball, especially when he is in an ideal position to be lethal. If given the chance, he would instantly find a spot on the Red Bulls right wing side, which is currently an empty suit. And where better to excel than in New York, where he would reunite with an old friend in Thierry Henry? That is an easy transition if there ever was one!

Sigi Schmid confirmed that the Sounders organization has given Freddie the green light to find his next team during this very transfer window. So this option has now become concrete.

That leads us to tonight’s poll question: Freddie Ljungberg; Yay or Nay?

Freddie Ljungberg To RBNY:Market Research