Red Bulls Give Team Awards – And So Do I

Alrighty ladies and gents, while some may be writing about postseason plans with passionate pride, I will be doing my darndest to keep things interesting around here till March of 2010. And when a team isn’t in the playoffs (holla TFC, and San Jose!), the front office has to do the same.

It is in that vane that the Red Bulls announced their awards for team MVP, Defender of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Fan of the Year.

For the most part, I wouldn’t go against any of the recipients. Each has their merits. Who can argue that Mike Petke is the defender of the year? He was practically the only consistent part of the back line throughout all the tempestuous times this team has gone through. Humanitarian? Its spelled S-T-A-M-M-L-E-R. Newcomer? Well, with so many players taking a belly flop this season, it was nice to finally see Celades come into his own (rethink that whole retirement thing buddy . . . at least one more season). Young player? Please. The way Jeremy Hall was used and abused, thrown into more different positions than Jenna Jameson, it is a wonder he made it all the way through! The kid may not have been John Terry on every play, but who the hell is? Jeremy deserves the recognition as a player that played the hardest he could in the face of all kinds of adversity.

But there were two major awards that could have gone another way . . . so why not award them myself?

Red Bulls MVP: Juan Pablo Angel
The Offside MVP: John Wolyniec

There are a trio of players you could really look at here. Petke has been a savior for the backline and an inspiration to this rudderless team. Juan Pablo Angel lead the team in goals once more. But when it comes to a player that made a difference in big spots this season, look no further than Woly. And that is no disrespect at all to JPA, but I find it hard to give the award to a player who has been hobbled all season long, and in many instances, wasn’t able to perform to his own standards, let alone the fans.

Plus, I love the underdog. And that is John in a nutshell.

Woly was an after thought going into 2009. With Kandji, Angel, and Dominic Oduro, it was a wonder whether or not Wolyniec would survive the roster cut. But much like a cockroach after a nuclear blast, Woly lives on. He scored the game winner in the opening play in game of the US Open Cup, and another in the home leg of the CCL against W Connection. He played clutch early in the season, scoring the tying goal in what was then a crucial Houston game (ya, back in May . . . ). And most recently, he netted one against New England, which is always good, no?

All in all though, Woly never stops playing. He is another local product with a ton of heart that is proud to wear the uniform of the New York side, no matter what the result. That is a value you can not overstate, and a genuine commodity on this team all season long. Way to go Woly; the unsung hero gets his.

Red Bulls Fan Of The Year: Herb Weltig

Now, Herb, I mean this with no disrespect what so ever. I am sure we must have met at one point or another, and I am sure you are a great guy. But when we are talking fan of the year, for 2009, there can only be one . . .

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Offside Fan Of The Year:

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