In the 1980s, the New York Mets used to have a tradition for the second home game of the year. Called the "No Respect" game, it was played in honor of those who couldn't get tickets to the home opener. Rodney Dangerfield would throw out the first ball and a good time was usually had by all.
After missing the home opener against the Revolution due to work commitments, I was expecting something similar for the game against DC United. Sure, tickets weren't exactly hard to find for the first game and they probably would not exhume Rodney. But I figured that Red Bull would roll out the Red Carpet for their loyal fans.
Maybe next year.
Due to inclement weather (the curse of the team, regardless of name), we moved the tailgate for the first game of the post-Lalas era to the Houlihans in Weehawken. While it was a congenial place to have a couple of beers, it does lack the atmosphere and inherent danger of the driving range bar. Regardless, the Idiots were resplendent in their rain gear and primed for the first win of the season. All of the Idiots were present, except for Ofer (who was meeting us at the game) and Jason (who was not).
We welcomed our latest Idiot -- Kevin. As part of the initiation process, he had to listen to Ronen talk about how much he knows about soccer for two minutes, without twitching or covering his ears. Kevin seemed to handle it well and should be tossing plastic bottles on the field by late Spring.
By the time we left bucolic Weehawken for the game, the rain had intensified, ensuring that attendance would be at a minimum. And it was, as no more than about 4,000 fans were present, a vast majority of whom were smart enough to stay under the overhang. Not the Idiots -- at least not until DC took the lead late in the first half. Marvell Wynne deflected a poor cross from Freddy Adu right into the path of Alecko Eskandarian, who slotted the ball past a stranded Tony Meola.
At this point, Alecko took a can of Red Bull tossed to him by a teammate on the bench, had a swig and spit it out. Funny? Yup. Classy? No. Enough to elicit an angry reaction by any member of the Red Bulls? Apparently not. This was the main talking point of the game, and Alecko was fined one month's wages -- $250.
RBNY could not get it going during the second half. Time after time, we gave up possession in midfield with almost no pressure. DC added another Eskandarian goal in the 59th minute and then Facundo Erpen hit a long range rocket past Tony in the 71st minute. Even when RBNY managed to score a consolation goal by Youri in the closing minutes, DC came right back to make it 4-1 with a quick strike by Jamil Walker. All in all, a dismal display by the home team.
It seems that respect, like a suspension from the NJSEA, must be earned.