Weekend Recap

What a potentially devestating weekend I almost had on my hands.  In this case it wasn't the third time's the charm but rather the third day's the charm.

As posted below, Friday night i ended up at The Rock for the Devils vs Avalanche game and predicted a 4-2 outcome.  I was close, the final ended up being 3-2, however the Devils were on the wrong side (again) of the score.  For a team to have outshot thier oppostion 41-22 and only manage 2 goals is pathetic.  With so much offensive power on the bench, this is a team that should regularly be putting at least three in the back of the net each time out.  But okay, I get it, they're in an early season swoon.  Great thing about sports is the ability to play the next day and atone for your previous loss.  Or not...

Saturday the Devils hosted the Boston Bruins and nicely lost (again) by a score of 4-1.  What the f&ck is going on with this team?!?!  I know there are some rookies on defense and a newbie here or there on the offensive front but come on now, this is almost pathetic.  At least the team has the next few days off which will maybe refresh them, let them forget the first six games of the season and start fresh.  I would write some more about this game but I wasn't around to watch it as I was...

Down in Philadelphia for the New York Red Bulls' first trip to PPL Park to take on the Philadelphia Union.  The Red Bulls lost the match 2-1 but remain in first place in the Eastern Conference.  The Red Bulls close out their regular season this Thursday vs New England Revolution and all they need to do is win to clinch their second ever Eastern Conference Championship (first was back in 2000).

So entering Sunday I was a solid 0-3 through the weekend and I can say that I wasn't feeling the most confident with the Jets game, away in Denver.  Something in my gut told me this team would lay down, fall flat against a team it is clearly better than and walk into their Bye Week at 4-2 and right in the think of things in the AFC East.  And for the most of the game, I was correct.  Sanchez decided that it was the right time to throw some interceptions, the offensive line didn't want to block for LT or Shonn Greene.  The defense dared the Broncos to try and run on them and that's exactly what happened.  Denver ran for over 100 yards in a game for the first time all season.  Oh, and yes, how can I forget the horrible officiating that took place in the game?  Two OFFENSIVE Pass Interferences called one drive, a phantom Cromartie Pass Interference call, a 15 yarder on Jim Leonard for a helmet to helmet hit. Please.  But then... wait a minute... it's not over, it's not over baby.  Sanchez to Edwards, the Holmes, then Tomlinson.  Soon it all comes down to one play, 4th and 6; Sanchez looks right, looks left, scrambles, and some more before launching it downfield towards Holmes.  As the ball hits the green grass, Jets Nation is finally happy to see the yellow flag on the field!  Defensive Pass Interference!  Jets get the ball on the 2, LT punches in his second score of the day and the Jets move to 5-1, clear control of their division as they walk into their bye.

Not a pretty weekend at all, tough to watch.  But those last few minutes were beautiful.

And the Money Maker

This will be a section that I keep nice and simple and short.  Not only are the New York Red Bulls my local soccer team that I follow and support but they are also my employer.  For a matter of respect and company rules, I won't be doing to much talking about the team.  The occasions that I do speak about the club will all be factual information, nothing of my own opinion or speculation.

With that said, I can say that it is absolutely great to watch RBNY play in their brand new home, Red Bull Arena.  After many, and unfortunately unsuccessful, seasons at Giants Stadium, the club moved into RBA this past March and neither the team nor building have disappointed.  The Red Bulls are currently in first place in the Eastern Conference and just clinched their 2010 playoff berth with a victory this past weekend over Kansas City.  In the short few months that Red Bull Arena has been open, some of the largest teams in the world have made their way through these doors.  Santos FC, Juventus, Manchester City, Tottenham, Turkey National Team and Czech Republic National Team... not to mention almost all of the MLS teams as well.

The playoffs are fast approaching and the way things have been playing out over the last few weeks, a trip to the MLS Cup might very well have to come through Red Bull Arena.