Season Comes to a Close

At Red Bull Arena last night, in front of over 23,000 fans, the New York Red Bulls saw their 2010 campaign come to an abrupt close thanks to a 3-1, 3-2 aggregate loss to the San Jose Earthquakes.

RBNY entered the match sporting a 1-0 aggregate lead thanks to a Joel Lindpere goal last Saturday evening in San Jose but that lead disappeared pretty quickly as Bobby Convey struck for SJ's first goal only six minutes into the match.  The teams played at the score for most of the remaining match until the 76th minute when Convey struck again.  Potential departing Red Bulls DP Juan Pablo Angel connected only two minutes later to give RBNY hope and a tied aggregate score.  However, MLS Golden Boot winner Chris Wondolowski gave the visitors the final goal of the match.  New York subbed on two forwards for the final 10 minutes, including Frenchman Thierry Henry, but weren't able to get a dangerous shot on goal as time expired.

New York set an MLS record during the regular season for the largest increase of victories from one season to the next.  They finished in first place in the Eastern Conference with 51 points.  The team will now break for the off-season and reconvene in February.

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.