Discounting Cup Competition...Again #RedBullOut
http://redbullout.bl...itionagain.html
Red Bull has consistently placed higher priority on faux-prestigous cash grab friendlies than on winning the meaningful and historic Open Cup trophy (which also comes with CONCACAF Champions League qualification). They have sacrificed their participation and success in the competition in order to risk injury to key players in what are essentially pre-season warm up matches for European clubs. This practice led to a protest by Red Bull’s own South Ward, which was covered extensively by media outlets in the region.The fact that ownership either didn’t know, or didn’t care about the Open Cup scheduling conflict is completely and totally inexcusable and cuts directly to the heart of why #RedBullOut exists. This one decision is a microcosm of the motivations behind #RedBullOut.
- Brand outreach superseding sporting goals: Ownership obviously believes its more important to get the cheap pop of a high profile but ultimately meaningless friendly rather than concern themselves with the genuinely important Open Cup quarterfinal. Coach Marsch promised fans that he would take the Open Cup seriously; clearly he was overruled.
- A tone-deaf approach to management with no regard for how fans might react to major moves: The South Ward previously protested against Red Bull’s disdain for the Open Cup, this decision is a clear indication that these protests fell on deaf ears. Or, given the endless turnover in the front office, perhaps the current batch of suits weren’t even aware it happened.
- A lack of institutional memory, resulting in the same mistakes repeated endlessly: Self-explanatory. The club is again making the mistake of prioritizing a friendly over a legitimate cup competition.
As far as rescheduling the match goes? It would be much more difficult than simply moving the date. The schedule around the 7/21 and 7/22 date is as follows:The schedule of New York’s potential opponent would further complicate the situation. Those who point out that the club could lose in the fourth round of the open cup—resolving the scheduling conflict—are missing the point entirely. The club should be preparing as if it's playing these Open Cup games and taking the opportunity to win a cup competition while gaining entry to the champions league. The head coach told the fans it is a priority to win these games. Why on earth are the soda hawkers able to overrule the team’s manager? When you look at the club’s owner, the answer is simple:“His first thing is the brand, Red Bull” – F. Beckenbauer on Dietrich Mateschitz