Tell that to Sky Sports reporter Guillem Balague. Balague was interviewed recently regarding the status of Man Citehs Brazilian star, Robinho. He also took the time to address whether or not Henry’s move to Citeh would ever come to fruition. Here is his reply:

“And regarding a swap deal (with Thierry Henry for Robihno) – no, it’s not going to happen either. I’ve got the impression that Henry is leaving Barcelona at the end of the season. There were meetings last month between his representatives and New York Red Bulls and I’ve got the impression that after the World Cup he is going to go to the MLS.”

Just another log for the fire . . .

Ahem.

But ya. Williams has been doing a fine job in his interim stint. Will it be enough to earn him the position next year? Performance hasn’t stopped Red Bull from shopping. SBI is reporting that current Portuguese National Team coach and Metro blast from the past Carlos Queiroz has been home shopping in New York City, and coincidentally, took a tour of the new Red Bulls Arena.

Hmmm.

So here is your question; would Queiroz be the best fit for the New York franchise come 2009?

I’ll be back on later to give my (late) two cents on the Red Bulls game this weekend. But for now, share your thoughts.

Carlos Queiroz(trends)

According to Bondy’s source (a potential candidate for the GM spot mind you), the Austrian Overlords are planning on “significant changes in personnel and reorganiz(ing) the sporting division.” “They know it’s important to make this move, but they know the problem isn’t just about one or two people.”
“Although the process is fluid, the Red Bulls are leaning toward a system in which the general manager is given more power over player personnel while the coach focuses on tactics.” I have always been a fan of the KISS Philosophy (Keep It Simple Stupid), and this type of talk is right up my alley. The source added to this mind state, saying “The team needs a clearly defined chain of command, and it takes time to find the right connection. This season, I’d say the chain of command was unclear. Or not clear enough.”

Bingo. I like this guy already!

Now, Ives brings up the kind of questions we all have on this: why not change to an interim now, why have a GM in place that can still call shots, etc. etc. But after this hellish season, if the Austrian Overlords thinking is “let’s take the time to find the right candidate, and while we are at it, let Agoos and Osorio stew in the mess that they have created,” I am fine with that. Surely, they have no role with the team, even as new talent like Krupnick, Garcia and Oebster are picked up. Someone else is calling the shots, while O and A remain the face of failure for the franchise.

For those wondering about why Richie Williams hasn’t been given the interim tag yet, here is a bit of speculation for you; first off, consider that there is nothing to gain in placing him in an interim coach position if he isn’t in head coaching contention already. That is one. Secondly, and maybe primarily, perhaps it is better in the mind of ownership to make the decision makers suffer for their moves instead of satiating the blood thirsty appetite of the fan base with a firing. Why damage the Red Bull brand when these two can take the hit? No matter what the reasoning, this is one loose end that is being tied up at years end.

How do you feel about the news? Is this the right way to go, or should immediate changes still be under consideration?

Let’s hear it!

This year features many great teams traveling the states, including Real Madrid facing DC United, Barcelona traveling the country, and AC Milan tapped to take on the Galaxy in a bout of highly ironic proportions.

This has bought the question to the mind of many Bulls fans – what about us? What international mega clash will fans be treated to this year? Will Real Madrid take a short 4 hour bus ride to play us once they get done with DC.

Not exactly.

I have it on good word that season ticket holders will be treated to a game that abounds in importance, and severely lacks in the sexy department. That opponent? W Connection, the first round competition in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Like I said – not sexy – but definitely important.

The positive side of this is that the Bulls are actually presented with a game that not only matters, but may give long suffering fans something to cheer about for the remainder of the season. Still in need of 30 points out of a possible 33 to even sniff the playoffs, the Champions League may be the only place the Red Bulls and the fan base can turn to find success.

The negative? Well . . . it is W Connection.

The preliminary rounds consist of home and home legs scheduled to be played July 28-30 and Aug. 4-6, with aggregate rules. Though this hasn’t been made official yet, I have received it on good word that this will be the international game for the season. Season ticket holders may use their Game A tickets to attend the game, as part of their package.

Let me know what you think. Is it sexy you desire or importance you crave?

That was Juan Carlos Osorio after the FC Dallas game, and by all accounts, it looks like he had more on his mind than yet another loss.

Maybe this weeks summit in Austria is what weighed so heavily on him.

SBI reports Jeff Agoos and Erik Stover have been summoned to Austria to meet with Red Bull brass to explain the mess that has been the 2009 season. And it looks like heads will roll for these failures.

This, along with the Beckham game, will surely make for a circus atmosphere the next two weeks. A change can come as early as this week.

You all know how I have felt about this. But sound off. Should Osorio get the ax? Or do more heads need to roll? Will Osorio even have a job after this meet and greet? Share your thoughts people!

Khano Smith.

So let’s just work with that for now (though we know SBI has a way of being correct 99.99% of the time).

As we have been saying, Ernst Obster seems to be a practical lock for the roster, and retired Serb forward Veljko Paunovic (31) has impressed with his performance in training. Paunovic has bounced from club to club for a few years, with three stints in Altletico Madrid. Some seem to have reservations about that, but I would take a guy who has been to one of the premier La Liga teams three times any day – as long as his 6 month “retirement” didn’t leave him with nothing in the tank.

What does this have to do with Khano Smith? Everything. With his contract no longer guaranteed, his roster spot may be used to bring in the veteran Serb or another player onto the roster. And this has been directly a result of his inability to meet with the lofty expectations Red Bull had when they acquired the left winger. He has been absolutely terrible and disinterested on the pitch. It seems from the day of his first benching, Smith has not been able to work his way back into the starting line up.

Surely, Khano imagined a dream scenario in New York; he signed this big contract to fill in the shoes of uber fan favorite Dave Van Den Bergh, meaning more consistent time on the field with the starting XI. But not so fast. Dismal, disinterested performances followed, until he found himself riding the pine. Ever since, Smith has seemed uncomfortable with and, quite frankly, regretful of his move to New York. The mere fact that he walked over to the Revolution fans after a 4-0 drubbing of his team, and gave them a clap and a bow speaks volumes. He just hasn’t been able to settle here, and this is why the Bulls are looking to vacate his spot as soon as possible.

Khano Smiths days as a Red Bull seem to be winding down to an end, and that will open up another roster spot. Will Paunovic be the man to fill it? Will it be someone else? Should Khano get one more chance?! Let me know . . .

Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images

Anyhow. Tomorrow, I will have full blast coverage of the Showdown in Chinatown 2, featuring the game itself, pics, vids and even some coverage from the red carpet (or green carpet as it was called) to share. Check back around 9:30am Friday to see what I mean.

’til then, here is Edgar Davids acknowledging the rumors that have him coming to the New York Red Bulls – you know, the one we have all heard since Beckham came stateside.

Enjoy.

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.”

Classic. And frankly, believable, since the value of Red Bull Arena as the crowning jewel of this franchise would make a deal for a potential owner more appealing. Mind you; Metrofanatic has never been one to perpetrate rumors and hearsay on their site unless they have solid proof to substantiate the claim. They are so sure in what they are charging, that they have put themselves out there in an attempt to get the word out. Meanwhile, everyone from myself, to Ives to MLS-Rumors haven’t touched the topic with a ten foot poll.

In fact, Brian Lewis is the only person in the “main stream” who covered this to any extent. And much like Brian Lewis, I have been getting a bunch of “no”s on the topic from my sources as well.

Now, it doesnt mean MF is wrong; in fact, their source has been correct in the past, predicting the sale of the Metrostars to Red Bulls just 4 years ago. It just further highlights the fact that this story continues to be strictly rumor.

Share your thoughts. Are the rumors substantiated? And how does this make you, the fans of Red Bull, feel about the teams current standing? Does this just compound on a negative season? Or are you relieved that the teams ownership will be in transition?

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.