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Member Since 15 Oct 2010
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#1238282 Peguy Option Picked Up

Posted by -DELETED- on 10 January 2015 - 09:25 AM

Wondering how he fits into the "high energy" Marsch style...off the bench...




#1236066 Fire Ali Curtis

Posted by -DELETED- on 07 January 2015 - 01:18 AM

Highly unlikely this is an Ali C call...maybe one of the reasons others turned down the job...fanbase should demand Houllier here immediately for explanation and report on club plans in the short and long term...




#1235413 Ali Curtis for Sporting Director

Posted by -DELETED- on 27 December 2014 - 02:51 PM

If I were Ali C one of the first things I'd do is call Henry introduce myself thank him for his contributions and request a meeting...

 

In said meeting I'd download Henry's take on the team and team needs going forward...

 

I'd also inquire about how retirement is treating him and let him know the door is always open if he has an itch to continue his playing career...




#1235286 2014-15 Random Player Name Thread

Posted by -DELETED- on 23 December 2014 - 09:37 AM

I'm fine with Seka and Miazga and Armando as our holdovers in the middle with more to come...




#1235059 "Organic" teams

Posted by -DELETED- on 19 December 2014 - 01:29 PM

 

 

If you meant this one...
 
"Red Bull and any team being owned by a corporation is the opposite of organic," Shep Messing, a Cosmos legend who does broadcasting for the Red Bulls, says. "Soccer is historically a very tribal sport around the world. The whole notion of a corporation, let alone a foreign corporation that is selling a drink, owning a team is the antithesis of an organic team that is adopted by the community. I think that's almost been insurmountable to Red Bull since they bought MetroStars."
 
I have to be honest here, he's not too far off from his assessment. Look, lots of die-hard soccer fans pretty much feel the same way in general. Like it or not, it's one of the factors on why the team isn't quite the fave rave here in NYC. Personally, even since the Cosmos came back, I thought he was one foot out the door anyway.

 

 

And that organic team with historical roots struggles to put 1K fans on those bleachers with even the merest threat of light rain...

 

And the "drink" edition of our team is in better shape than the one prior when we also had a name based on a company...in fact we're doing far, far better...

 

That what puts Shep in danger...what he's really doing is promoting F.cosmos in the same way we use history/stadium/fans...had they asked him a followup he'd have pointed out the downside of Man City USA...farm team...part of world wide promotional effort to get the mother ship into the same conversation with the really big superclubs...so Shep promotes his organic "main" club while on the MSG payroll to broadcast our games...he'd better watch it...




#1235030 New Sporting Director Candidate

Posted by -DELETED- on 19 December 2014 - 10:46 AM

I think expecting them to say anything more than they already have (we want to build with a heavier balance of youth, and maybe not needing to spend as much on DP's as we have previously) is just silly.  It serves no purpose.  They will never reveal their DP budget, or even if they have one, because it screws with negotiations and limits your ability to be flexible and take advantage of opportunities that may come up.    You certainly can't expect them to address rumors any more than they have ("we are committed to MLS for the long term").

 

It is relative...

 

But I want to hear...

 

If we have DP targets...at what positions...are we looking at winter or more likely summer...how are we seeing our talent in the back/midfield/up front...

 

Are we committed to a style of play...is the passing possession style leaving with Henry...are we moving to a more physical long ball get the ball into and out of the box style...or some other style...

 

Indeed some clubs won't say the first word on some of this stuff...Phil Jackson on the other hand goes on TV with Spike Lee to explain his club's playing philosophy in great detail...

 

In the very least I want to hear more than we've heard so far...  




#1234995 New Sporting Director Candidate

Posted by -DELETED- on 19 December 2014 - 08:19 AM

The longer it goes, the more likely de Grandpre gets it.

 

Nah...it appears he's learned a few lessons since his first tour...he's staying out of the kitchen...




#1231110 Any word on how ticket sales are going?

Posted by -DELETED- on 21 November 2014 - 11:45 AM

Pardon my interruption, but you guys want to know something?

 

Don't you just love the fact that the boys are going to be playing in front of a legitimately packed house this Sunday, rather than the usual empty seats we incessantly whine about for once? Kinda makes you smile a little, don't it?

 

Just thought I mention that.

 

Oh, and you may continue with the tarp thing... Don't mind me... LOL

 

I've been thinking this game will show the extent of our no-show problem... 

 

I'm a big believer in the theory that many season ticket holders and even other fans buy our relatively inexpensive tickets because they want to support the club even though they know they won't be able to use all the tickets and can't give them away.  They just write off the unused tickets as a donation.  This game however required everyone to repurchase their season tickets or purchase tickets for a game only days in the future so everyone must really want to be at this particular game.  

 

I still expect to see no-shows...how many is the question.

 

A rep with the club said that a bunch of staffers went to visit the NY Jets a few weeks ago to hear about their points system that rewards season ticket holders (and other fans???) based on coming to the games...transferring their tickets to others who use them...and arriving on time.  The club is trying to address this issue though it's hard to tell folks some of whom have helped keep the team financially afloat back to the Meadowlands days that they should stop buying tickets or at least not season tickets and only buy for games they can definitely attend.

 

I expect to see some version of a rewards program next year really.

 

Take it for what you will but I'm sensing club employees genuinely believe Marc deGranpre is upping the level in the tickets sales/fan relations department.  There's a palpable sense of optimism about where the club is going.  The claim is that season tickets topped 9K this year and the renewal campaign is going better than expected.  Maybe Garber was right...I'm definitely sensing the fanbase is stepping up and reaffirming their allegiance in part because of this new team.  

 

And on a different note I've strongly suggested that if the team makes the MLS CUP final in Seattle or LA the club should rent out a major venue in Manhattan for a thousands strong watch party.  I suggested Radio City though a Sunday afternoon during holiday season makes that next to impossible or more realistically The Theater at MSG.  I think the club is looking at something in Times Square...in the best case scenario I'm dreaming about a street victory celebration in the heart of NYC....




#1229504 2014 Playoff Thread

Posted by -DELETED- on 07 November 2014 - 12:20 AM

If we score we advance...




#1229105 2014 Playoff Thread

Posted by -DELETED- on 03 November 2014 - 12:29 PM

Just watched big DVR'd segments of the RBNY/DCU game and that first goal was absolutely world class (as they say)...
 
From the Seka first touch in our box leaving Dax in a potentially tight spot that he nimblely avoided...
 
To make the pass to Miller who thankfully advanced the ball up the flank...
 
To BWP posted up to hold up in midfield before moving onto the attack...
 
To Henry in his #10 role getting the layoff and again thankfully advancing the ball before the switch the attack pass to Sam...
 
To Alexander's force defenders to follow run to open up passing lane/dribble penetration space...
 
To Sam advancing then seeing Henry motion for the ball...
 
To the pass...back-heel...not very graceful dummy...and emphatic finish...
 
A length of the field dribble/pass/finish sequence that probably could stand next to any in the games played over the weekend in any part of the world...



#1227876 New Sporting Director Candidate

Posted by -DELETED- on 23 October 2014 - 09:30 PM

Not saying I don't like this if it happens (there's something to be said for a young American who knows the league), but it really would confirm that Austria has closed the checkbook when it comes to this team.

 

Not sure why this guy's background would have anything to do with club budget going forward.  

 

Rox almost certainly had no real say concerning spending, those decisions were way above his pay grade.  

 

Most GMs in this country are handed a budget by ownership, don't know of any who have the authority to spend without ownership approval.  

 

Any foreign DP would be recruited and signed by Houllier who himself doesn't have the authority to spend millions without Austria signing off.  

 

I'm guessing this analysis is coming from a league source engaged in speculation tied to the league's general take on where Red Bull is going moving forward.

 

If this guy gets the job his first task will be to tell his former colleagues to shut the fuck up...

 

Edit: Not that we fans want the talkative league execs to stop talking...lol...as Dyer is hearing this and other takes I hope the first question to his source is "what have you heard about Red Bull selling"...

 

Edit 2:  If this move comes to pass it could mean that Houllier himself will be making the major personnel decisions and this guy becomes the technical guy who figures out how to make it all work and how to flesh out the roster with local talent...




#1227360 Red Bulls head of scouting joins U.S. Soccer

Posted by -DELETED- on 17 October 2014 - 10:25 PM

It's perfectly reasonable that someone resigned or left their position at US Soccer, and he merely stepped in to fill it because it was a chance to work for the Fed, and maybe one day he ends up on JK's YNT coaching radar, etc. I wouldn't pass that opportunity up if I were him either. Perhaps the timing is related to a regime change he knew was coming, but it's more likely that he just had some feelers in the water and his name got called. Happens all the time.

 

That being said, we've lost a lot of institutional knowledge this year. JdB had 3 decades in soccer, with INTL and USSF experience. Roxy had like 40 years experience. Cris da Silva has been in USSoccer for like 20 years (at one stage or another).

 

We're relying on Mark de Grandpre- 2 years, 7 months of soccer experience, and 6 jobs in the last 8 years- to replace that.

 

Hopefully he does. 

 

If soccer was bigger in America our excellent group of local reporters would be seeking out Houllier...

 

I hope each and every one of them has an in-depth interview request in for Rox and particularly de Grandpre...

 

I obviously also hope they're digging into the rumored sale story...simply reporting the obligatory statements of Garber and our guys doesn't cut it...I could accept that doors are closed and no further info is obtainable at this time but not before they ruffle a few feathers in pursuit of Wahl's source and maybe even others willing to speak...

 

Seeing Red! should risk never getting de Grandpre again if they could get him before the end of the season and ask the obvious questions and not just accept the stock answers...the story's big enough and there's enough accumulating supporting evidence to warrant the risk...

 

Though Dyer did report this...

 

http://www.bigapples...rticle_id=38986




#1227100 Roxburgh out at end of season

Posted by -DELETED- on 15 October 2014 - 11:59 PM

Need to hear more details about the departure.

 

At his age he was never going to be the long term answer here.

 

Every possibility he put in his two years and wants to go home.

 

Likely him immensely as a person/personality but not all of his personnel moves.

 

Hope the next guy looks more at the Latino market on this side of the world...




#1225634 RB Wants Out

Posted by -DELETED- on 02 October 2014 - 01:57 AM

Also, this: http://metrofanatic....ory.jsp?ID=5123

 

 

 

We have a chance, DG comment 2014 was too unclear, bunch of shenanigans!  :)+

 

Here's the original...

 

http://www.bigapples...rticle_id=17992

 

You're right...much more emphatic in 2009...tea leaves anyone...lol...

 

Edit:  One good thing...the NY Daily News above has 2 guys Bondy and Isola on this and I know Brian Lewis from the NY Post and Jack Bell from the NY Times are also on the case...throw in Dave Martinez and Michael Lewis and I'm confident we'll get to the bottom of this sooner rather than later...




#1224510 Metro - CD FAS Game Thread

Posted by -DELETED- on 24 September 2014 - 11:28 PM

Petke isn't the sole decision maker when it comes to overall season strategy and prioritizing our various competitions.  

 

In fact as a new coach I'd be surprised if he has much say in these things and isn't following orders from above.  

 

As much as we'd like to see the CCL competition grow in prestige right now it scarcely registers in the broader soccer world.  Maybe 7K came to our home game and most were very pleased with even that turnout.  

 

The world title competition that the CCL sends a team to is also not regarded by most as an important competition.  No one really respects the team that wins as the best in the world unless they've proven it in other competitions. 

 

I'm guessing Petke's main role in all of this was to truthfully tell the hierarchy that you can win a championship in MLS by staying healthy and peaking at the end.

 

Not Petke's call...