UPDATES: Bye Bye Grandpre HELLO HOFL?, Transfers, Rumors, News and Stuff

By: Dave Martinez | July 30th, 2007

Take Low attendance
+ No marketing
+ A fading on field product
+ Fan Frustration
+ Infrastructure failures
+ NJSEA issues
+ The largest media market in the world
AND a year plus control of all RBNY operations
= A Time for a Change

DeGrandpre is gone folks. And Big Apple Soccer is pointing the finger at this guy

http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/article.php?article_id=10676

WHO IS MARKUS HOFL?

Though Ives makes no mention of the man (http://njmg.typepad.com/sbi/2007/07/degrandpre-on-h.html#more), Big Apple Soccer is reporting Markus Hofl is the new “Chief” of operations (whatever that means). I think Ives clarified the role as “Managing Director.” Sounds more corporate to me.

Described by BAS as a “former executive assistant to former 2006 World Cup organizing president Franz Beckenbauer,” many RBNY fans are relieved to hear that a SOCCER person will be running the show.

That was the problem from the start with The Grand One; he just wasnt one of us - and it showed.

If this is our man, at least as far as appearances go (and no I am not talking about his Night at the Roxbury do ), we will have a knowledgeable leader whom has participated in no small part in the Worlds most celebrated tournament - the World Cup. I would be ecstatic.

One of the reasons cited in the BAS article is the firing of Geo. No surprise there.

Many feel this can be the beginning of the “Euro Invasion” of our soccer operations - so be it. Theyve been in the game longer anyway . . .

Please, let the healing begin . . . .

MONTCLAIR FOREVER! (or we failed to secure a newly constructed, state of the art practice facility like all the big boys do)

So, our state of the art training complex? FUGGEDDABOWDIT!

Per Ives :

“In other Red Bulls news, sources say the team’s plans to build a state of the art practice facility in North Jersey have fallen apart. The club had plans to build a training center in Florham Park but those plans have been scrapped. No word yet on what happened.”

Thats ok though, because I have a plan.

Robots.

Have the players watch ROBOTS play the game. Then they can translate THAT to the field. Here is my crude animated construction of this masterful plan:

I am brilliant . . .

. . . But I saw Sinisa on OUR sidelines!

In what has become an increasingly rare thing for MLS, they have actually loaned an RBNY player to the USL - specifically, the Minnesota Thunder. Sinisa Ubiparapovic (man I hope I spelled that right).

And guess what? He got a goal! In a loss . . . but still, a goal none the less!

http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/article.php?article_id=10663
http://www.mnthunder.com/igsbase/igstemplate.cfm?SRC=MD006&SRCN=articledetails&GnavID=10&SnavID=47&TnavID=&NewsID=333&NewsCatIDdisplay=&KeywordSearch=

For those wondering, yes, that was Ubi in the training get up last game. Even so, he is currently loaned out, and the club has made no mention of this, nor have details leaked out.

Ronaldo Rumors

Am I living in January? If not, then WHY am I hearing the Ronaldo rumor mill churning up again.

From TribalFootball:
http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=49097

” MLS chiefs are chasing AC Milan striker Ronaldo.

AS says MLS representatives made contact with Milan three days ago to sound them out about the availability of the Brazil international striker - and Milan did not respond with a firm ‘No’.”

Listen, if Ronaldo does come, he will be in the swamp lands of Jersey, soaking in the love of 20,000 brazilians that would FINALLY make their way to the stadium.

And if Ronaldo does come, who goes? Angel? Reyna? And are we going to pick him up NOW? Lets be real, we dont have enough cap to sign Tony Sanneh, we are gonna then chase down Mr. Millions ? Please. Call me back next January for this one, because, 2007? It aint happening.

Tony Meola in the Ironmen of NJ
http://www.nj.com/redbulls/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1185684457300680.xml&coll=1

Nj.com reports that the newly developed Arena Soccer league is in negotiations with Tony on a return to soccer, in very familiar grounds.

Love em, hate em, whatever, you can not dismiss his commitment to the game (even if he tried to go to the NFL after the 94 games). He loves soccer, and loves this area. And we here at theoffside wish him the best of luck.

Superliga - Donovan strikes again, Mexicans win for the first time

As I said last time, Mexicans are Landon Donovan’s Performance Enhancer. And with two goals in two games, leading the pack overall, it is no question that this tourney, against our rivals down south, and on American soil, is tailor made to fit Landon Donovan.

null

Of course, his Galaxy lost to Chivas. But, in the overall picture, they already had a win, and would have to now face FC Dallas to advance. Dallas, though streaky, can prove to be formidable. Anyone want to get down on a bet? Lando does not score against Dallas - and why? - because they have no Mexicans!

Freddy Adu / Benfica

Hey, its practically confirmed. Just go to the front page of the US Soccer section of ESPN, and read Mr. Galarceps report.

The kid needs a change of scenary and a place where he can comfortably develop. Benfica will give him a club of tradition that will force him to fight for playing time - did you think he was the only young star added to the team? Look at their wikipedia entries - they have loaded up on young and talented Argie and Brazilian kids who are sure to give Adu a run for his money.

Being surrounded by the beautiful game may have its advantages for Adu. Imagine our diminuative #10 roaming the midfield, beautifully controlling the ball, “juking” unsuspecting defenders, as he slides pass after pass to Lando, Dempsey, maybe even Johnson and Altidore. That South American style can greatly impact our game, and the beautiful style which it is played will make the game even easier for the typical “WHAT IS SOCCER” Americans to enjoy.

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Thanks for tuning in again folks. Expect some updates on the Stadium, Practice Facilities, Soccer Directors, as well as the ESC protest plans, and a follow up on the Iraq / Saudi Arabia final as the days go on.