May 3, 2008
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Surprise! Crew are atop the MLS heap
Are we in a parallel Earth? Have they turned the Eastern Conference standings upside down? Are we are on drugs? Who would have bet that the Columbus Crew would have the best record in MLS?
April 29, 2008
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Deepest sympathies to Bradley's family
It is with great sadness to hear that former Cosmos coach Gordon Bradley has passed away after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
April 27, 2008
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Can amazing Amado be consistent?
There was little question that former Red Bulls captain and midfielder Amado Guevara was the man of the match of Toronto FC's 2-0 triumph over the Kansas City Wizards Saturday.
April 21, 2008
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Hoping for the best for Bradley and family
I'm very distressed to hear that former Cosmos coach Gordon Bradley has Alzheimer's Disease. When yours truly covered the North American Soccer League in what seems like another life many years ago, Bradley was a class act to deal with as a reporter.
April 21, 2008
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Angel: To play or not play?
After Juan Pablo Angel re-aggravated his left hamstring strain Saturday night, Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio faces another difficult decision this week. Does he let the striker play against the San Jose Earthquakes Sunday? Or does he rest him so he will be in tip-top shape for the rest of the season?
April 17, 2008
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Will managing director be an inside job?
A little birdie whispered in my ear the other day to say that he thought the Red Bulls would hire someone from inside the organization and not from the outside.
April 15, 2008
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Here comes McBride for Olympics?
Before he and the U.S. Olympic team touch down in China in August, coach Peter Nowak will have to make some important decisions -- which players from the Under-23 team that qualified for the Summer Games to bring and which three overage players to add to the team. Two of the three seem to be quite obvious -- former MetroStars goalkeeper Tim Howard and one-time Chicago Fire Carlos Bocanegra. The third player could surprise many soccer observers -- forward Brian McBride.
April 12, 2008
OFFSIDE REMARKS
A lot to second guess about
Well, here we go, first loss and first second guess of the season. Or is that second guesses in the Red Bulls' 2-0 loss at F.C. Dallas Saturday night.
April 12, 2008
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Signs are de Grandpre got the boot
The rumblings around MLS and soccer have the Red Bulls giving Marc de Grandpre the boot instead of him resigning as the club's managing director. According to a pair of sources, de Grandpre had ruffled a number of feathers outside of the organization.
April 9, 2008
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Hey, Red Bull, how about hiring someone with a sports or soccer background?
Who knows? Perhaps Red Bull already has a replacement on board for Marc de Grandpre as the team's managing director. But just in case the hierarchy in Salzburg, Austria haven't just yet made a decision, here are some tips.
April 8, 2008
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Looking back, looking ahead
Let's put some things into perspective as we look back at the win over Columbus and forward to the Red Bulls' second game of the MLS season in Dallas this Saturday.
April 6, 2008
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Some opinion, quotes and a laugh or two
Some quick observations from the Red Bulls' 2-0 triumph over the Columbus Crew Saturday night.
March 31, 2008
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Red Bulls have a ton of questions to answer
The Red Bulls open their 13th season against the Columbus Crew at home Saturday with many more questions than answers. During their final four pre-season games, the Red Bulls went 1-1-2 (going 0-1-1 vs. MLS sides and 1-0-1 vs. USL First Division teams, while scoring three goals in those four games). According to one seasoned observer who watched the team in the Carolina Challenge Cup last month, the Red Bulls played either the same or worse than last season, with little or no improvement in a league in which virtually every team has added key personnel.
March 29, 2008
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Opening night: 4 shutouts, including a rout
At first I questioned whether it was a wise choice for MLS to schedule a rematch of MLS Cup -- New England vs. Houston -- so far up north on March 29. Well, as a spectator watching the game from my bed, I felt it was an enjoyable affair in the first half, especially for a season opener that was televised.
March 15, 2008
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Will Nowak go for the win vs. Honduras?
U.S. Under-23 national coach Peter Nowak has some tough decisions to make on who to use and his strategy prior to his team's Olympic qualifying match with Honduras in Tampa Saturday. Does he go all out for a win or does he hold back enough so the Americans avoid playing Mexican in the semifinals in Nashville Thursday.
