All The Bull: Troop Benefit, Barcelona, Injuries and more

By: Dave Martinez | May 15th, 2008

Hey y’all.

Before anything, I would like to address this major issue: I HATE ALLERGIES. Last year was the first year I had ever gotten em, and I hate it even more this year. Absolutely hate.

But on the bright side - I did catch 6 bluefish and a striper this week. So spring is good for something. Fishing rules.

Here’s the news folks:

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+ The Red Bulls are doing a really cool thing for their Memorial Day weekend game against Chicago. Coinciding with Fleet Week, RBNY has announced their “Tickets for Troops initiative. They are looking for community business who would be interested in buying tickets in blocks of 30, which will then be given to our troops for that game. The day would feature events honoring our troops throughout.

And this guy pictured above is the infamous Red Bulls super fan Johnny Toro. Johnny, over at RagingBullNation, has set up the groups first fundraiser this year, properly dubbed “Spend a Day with Johnny Toro.” For five dollars, your child will be able to enter a raffle to actually spend the game with Johnny Toro, who has been the fan face of RBNY since they took over. Along with this, they will be giving the lucky kid 4 tickets to the Chicago Game, a cow bell and “his/her very own bull horns (just like Johnny’s).” All proceeds will be donated to the USO in memory of Johnnys father, Gennaro (Jerry) Russo.

For more information and other same day events, click here

+ FC Barcelona, home of Leo Messi (or former home of the Portuguese Nat - Deco), has agreed to a five year deal with Major League Soccer and SUM (Soccer United Marketing), the marketing branch to the MLS. And this is probably the reason:

“In 2006, the FCBarcelona USA Tour, managed by SUM, registered the highest average attendance for any club tour in U.S. history, averaging 80,734 in three matches, and is the only one among those tours featuring three or more games to sell out every stadium”

And speaking of which - this is a clear enough signal that Barca will be coming back to New York for August - which is excellent, since I have 4 tickets garunteed 6th row baby! Ok, enough gloating.

+ We have injuries heading into the KC game - Reyna has a strained calf, and Seth Stammler has a herniated disk in his back. Though we did well against the Galaxy without our midfield destroyers, Kansas City presents a much more dangerous attack. I hope Sassano and *a name here* can handle the job.

+ Ives is also reporting that Brunner may be close to a deal with Miami FC. One has to wonder the price tag associated with the deal. I mean, can Miami FC actually have a better price tag than the Bulls?!

+ Bruce Arena will be in the building with Kansas City this week - as their tv commentator. Who woulda thunk it?!

+ And finally, The Offside Podcast is up, and Im on this week talking a little MLS. If your interested, peep this link.