UPDATES: Injury Report, Red Bull Park AND MORE!

By: Dave Martinez | July 24th, 2007

That sad face? Yes, its the injured Jeff Parke. Out of action. *Thanks - Ives Galarcep*

RED BULL NEWS:

- Jeff Parke will be out 2 weeks with a torn right hammy. The desemation of the defense continues.

Our backline has suffered more set backs than Michael Jackson, and when they finally look like they are ready to settle down and gel, another one bites the dust.

So what to do now?

Previous authors on this page, in a similiar situation, suggested moving Dema to Central Mid. That is not a possibility. Dema is many great things, but he can’t grow 8 inches over night - he is just too short and inexperienced at the position to take up that type of a responsibility. And dont bring up Michael Parkhurst - the man has been playing that position for years. And he is a Revolutionary SkidMark, mainly cuz he wears that jersey. And because he is near Boston. Which is doubley disgusting.

Maybe, MAYBE, it may be time to experiment. 3-5-2 anyone?

==========ANGEL=========ALTIDORE=========
DVB=============MATHIS===========RICHARDS
=========REYNA=========DEMA=============
=======MENDES===STAMMLER====FREEMAN=====
===============CONWAY==================

Give Reyna what he wants in his most suitable formation, Dema plays destroyer, Stammler grabs the middle, and if Richards isnt stepping up, put Schopp in. We have no time to mess around, against an excellent Chivas team.

But lets be real. Experiments are for the first half of the season, right? Here is my projected line up, barring any more injuries:

==========ANGEL=========ALTIDORE=========
MATHIS============================SCHOPP
=========REYNA=========DEMA=============
==GOLDIE===MENDES===STAMMLER====FREEMAN=
===============CONWAY==================

(QUICK EDIT: Just got asked why not Dane Richards - I think its time for a one game sit down is all)

- RED BULL PARK IS OURS! For the uninformed, when Metrostars was bought out, AEG sold everything EXCEPT for 50% of the new stadium. WELL THATS NO MORE, according to Ives (http://njmg.typepad.com/sbi/2007/07/red-bull-stadiu.html)

The good news just keeps on comin . . .

- In related news, the rumors keep simmering over a 2nd New York team. Last couple of weeks, it was Fred Wilpon and the Mets threatening to bring Metros back to NYC. Now, its Boca Juniors. NY is one of their four targeted dense Argentine markets. The others include Miami Phoenix and LA (like they need another team).

Can you imagine a Boca / RBNY derby? I would actually have to root AGAINST the Boca name! It blows my mind . . .

AROUND THE LEAGUE

- Multiple sources are reporting Wanchopes participation in Chicago Fire training. After what was a less than memorable trial with Marcelo Salas, they have gone another route with the Costa Rican National. Wanchope - Armas - Mapp - Cuat - and company? Wow. Sounds like someones stacking up for the playoff run (and we better be paying attention!)

- Riquelme keeps getting rejected by European teams, and the rumors of an MLS arrival keep surfacing. Personally, I dont see Roman coming here - like many others will do, he is using MLS as a bargaining chip. But if he does decide to come here, watch out! He will immediately be the best player in the league, FAR surpassing Becks and Cuat, Angel and the rest.

- BRAZILIAN DENILSON of 2002 WORLD CUP fame, is mearly a signature away from signing on with the Dallas Hoops. This would be an immediate boost to FCD, a team desperately looking for a spark.

- DC SCUM President Kevin Payne is currently in Argentina, speaking to Veron, as per TYC, the Argie sports news network. Verons choice is between an MLS move or a stay with Estudiantes. Somehow, with my countries state of flux, I really dont see him staying there. And what a pick up that would be for DC. Veron is a competitor. A destroying presence.