WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS! OF COURSE!

By: Dave Martinez | November 16th, 2008

13 years.

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Ownership changes.

Name Changes.

Cursed playoff history.

Stadium Issues.

Disrespect.

You name it, this franchise has gone through it.

And it took a goal post to change our fortunes. Four times.

For one magical night, the stench of disappointment was swept away by the sweet smell of victory. In an irony only Metro Bull fans would appreciate, the New York Red Bulls are your 2008 Western Conference Champions.

Believe it.

That means they are heading to the CONCACAF Champions league.

That means, THEY ARE HEADING TO THE MLS CUP!!!!

In typical Osorio style, the game took an immediate defensive tone. Andrew Boyens, out with a bad break, took a seat for Carlos Mendes, who hasn’t played centerback for the Bulls in nearly a years time. Diego Jimenez and Kevin Goldthwaite lead this merry band of pasted together backs. But the true inspiration from the back came in the form of the goal post. 4 key saves by the post would be enough to turn any atheist to a believer. The Red Bulls had some luck on their shoulders this night, as they withstood a devastating assault, and came away with a victory.

The Red Bulls converted early on one of their two or three chances on net, as Jon Wolyniec, who has been playing like a man possessed, beat Russell down the side, found an Angel dummy that skipped by to the foot of Dave Van Den Bergh for the big in. From their on out, it was 11 in the back as the Bulls played rope a dope till the very last minute of the game.

Congratulations to Coach Osorio and his squad. No one thought they would find themselves in this position and they deserve all the accolades that come with this victory.

Now its on to Los Angeles - and the key question on everyones mind? WILL DAVE MARTINEZ GET A TICKET TO THE BIG GAME!

Ok. Maybe not. But its on my mind!

LETS CELEBRATE! Share your comments with us on this great victory.

INANIMATE OBJECT OF THE MATCH

The Goal Post. Thank you for choosing sides with the away team.

TURNING POINT OF THE MATCH

Dave Van Den Berghs goal. What a great presence of mind to track that ball, stay with the play, and calmly put it in the back of the net. Lets hope DVB never becomes a Salt Lake player, because with the goals he scores there, he would be dangerous.

WHAT THE *!#& MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Winning. Just winning. 13 years of suffering, and mediocrity in the leagues largest market is over. What a feeling.

SPECIAL ED PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Jamison Olave. In a big spot, all alone, a mere 15 yards from goal, the centerback shanks a shot FAAAAAR left. Rio Tinto is Red Bull Land, what can I say?

PREDICTION OF THE MATCH

I did say that in these kind of games, real life odds don’t matter. Case and point? Law of averages would say that, after 8 confrontations and 0 victories, Real Salt Lake would be the winner. Not so fast. Sports is all about bad breaks and curses.

” “Maybe that’s soccer . . . or voodoo,” midfielder Kyle Beckerman said glumly. “I don’t know what it is. It should have been the other way. We should have got all that voodoo stuff for us. It’s at home, right?” “

Join us at TORB as we track this unique matchup between Eastern Conference foes - Schelotto and the Crew await the Red Bulls! (and Ill let ya know if I am going to LA!)

img credit: steve wilson @ AP