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Red Bull has given Arena the keys to the castle. Yup. One leaves the press conference after basking in Arena’s confidence feeling that Red Bull made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Was it the money or the absolute autonomy he’d enjoy in building a soccer club? Or was it a combination of them both.
Arena will pack up his familia and move up north. He’ll be both be the soccer director and the coach. He’s gonna keep Richie (as assistant coach) and Des (the goalkeeper coach). He’ll add a few more to the team, including a technical director, fitness coach, and third assistant, and anyone else he damn well pleases.
Here are some highlights:
Appetizers were passed around before he finally arrived (he was about 40 minutes late), which included shrimp, kobe beef, sushi, chicken wraps and other stuff. So if he was an hour late, none of us would have cared.
Final design of the stadium will be ready in a few weeks. It will be the best soccer stadium in North America.
They’re working on two separate paths to complete a practice facility for the team and the youth teams to utilize. In case one fails, they’ll have the other. Could be ready before the stadium.
Arena seems optimistic of a team that has Wynne, Mendes, Guevara, Stammler, Buddle, O’Rourke. He mentioned Guevara more then any other and thinks he’s one of the best midfielder in the league.
There are no plans for an immediate acquisition while the transfer window is open. He’ll probably try and improve the team through trades and whatnot.
Arena thinks DC is the best team in MLS and is excited to play against them.
Paul Gardner asked where the players were in a negative way and Arena, classically, answered something like: Well, they have practice and I believe they’re on a 1:00 plane to Columbus for tomorrow’s game. Gardner is an idiot.
Arena drank some Red Bull.
Gio tells us that all of the Red Bull youth teams are in first place.
Arena kept mentioning that things will not be done cheaply and that Red Bull is behind him with whatever resources he’ll need.
He came to terms with Red Bull about 10-14 days ago.
At first, he didn’t want to return to MLS but after his conversations with the company executives in Austria and here, he though it was a unique situation where he can make a big difference and help the team/league get better.
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The Red Bulls announced today they have hired outgoing U.S. men's national team coach to be Sporting Director and Head Coach of the club.
The team will hold a 1p.m. press conference today and we'll be there to cover it.
More details in the team's official release.  Image provided by Red Bull New York
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Official release from the club:
RED BULLS TO FACE GERMAN BUNDESLIGA CHAMPIONS BAYERN MUNICH ON MAY 27
Kickoff slated for 12:00 noon at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
SECAUCUS, NJ (Friday, May 12, 2006) – Red Bull New York announced today that the club will host a special international friendly on Saturday, May 27 against the 2006 German Bundesliga champions, FC Bayern Munich. The match will be played at Giants Stadium at 12:00 noon EST.
"Hosting a team of Bayern Munich’s caliber will be an exciting experience for both our fans and our players," said Red Bull New York Managing Director Marc de Grandpre. "We are fully committed to bringing a higher level of soccer to the tri-state area and we have now given our fans the opportunity to see the Red Bulls take on two of the best teams in the world in Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona."
Led by German National Team goalkeeper Oliver Kahn and Dutch striker Roy Makaay, Bayern Munich captured their 20th German championship in club history after posting a 22-3-8 record (74 points) during the 2005-2006 season. The upcoming game with the Red Bulls marks the second meeting between the two sides at Giants Stadium, as New York upset Bayern Munich 2-0 on May 26, 2001.
"You always want the chance to play against world-class competition," said Red Bulls Head Coach Mo Johnston. "I know Bayern Munich very well having played against them in my career. They have been an outstanding organization for many years and are certainly one of the top teams around. We are looking forward to the challenge."
This will be the first of two marquee international friendlies for the Red Bulls in 2006, with the second coming against Spanish La Liga champions FC Barcelona on August 12.
All tickets for the Bayern Munich match are priced at $15.00. Red Bulls season ticket holders will have admission into the match as part of their season ticket package. The Red Bulls are also offering a special Four-Ticket pack, which includes four discounted tickets to the Bayern Munich match for a total price of $50.
For more information and for special group rates on both international friendlies, contact the Red Bulls ticket sales office at 1.877.RBSOCCER or log on to www.nyredbulls.com.
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Official release from the club:
RED BULLS ACQUIRE JEAN PHILIPPE PEGUERO FROM RAPIDS
Deal Thiago Martins and two draft picks for the Haitian-born striker
SECAUCUS, NJ (Friday, April 21, 2006) - Red Bull New York announced today that they have acquired forward Jean Philippe Peguero from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for forward Thiago Martins, their natural 2007 first round MLS SuperDraft pick and their natural 2007 third round MLS SuperDraft pick. Peguero is a United States green card holder, meaning that he will not count as a Senior International player on the Red Bulls' roster.
"We are excited to add another quality striker to our club," said Red Bull New York head coach Mo Johnston. "Jean Philippe is a strong, quick forward who is very good in the air. He has proven he can score goals in this league and we believe he can contribute to our team immediately."
The 25-year-old Peguero was originally signed by Colorado on March 31, 2004 after having previously played with Don Bosco in his native Haiti. During his first season in MLS, he led the Rapids in scoring by netting seven goals and four assists. He followed that up with a seven goal, six assist performance last season in 26 games of action. The 6-2 forward appeared in two games with the Rapids in 2006 and assisted on one goal thus far.
Peguero- who has made 10 appearances with the full Haitian National Team- is expected to join the Red Bulls in time to be available for Saturday's match with D.C. United.
Thiago Martins made his Red Bulls debut last weekend against Real Salt Lake and logged 11 minutes. He was acquired by the Red Bulls in a trade with Chivas on January 30, 2005. For his career, the 29-year-old Martins has tallied three goals and one assist in 27 MLS matches.
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Official release from the club:
MARC DE GRANDPRE NAMED MANAGING DIRECTOR OF RED BULL NEW YORK
Organizational Restructuring Plans Unveiled; Johnston to Remain as Head
Coach
SECAUCUS, NJ (Thursday, April 20, 2006) - Red Bull New York announced today that Marc De Grandpre will assume the role of Managing Director of Red Bull New York effective immediately. De Grandpre replaces Alexi Lalas who recently resigned from his position with the club for the President and General Manager post with the L.A. Galaxy.
De Grandpre has been with Red Bull North America for more than seven years as the Director of Field Marketing where he oversaw all marketing activities for the company's East region. He played an instrumental role in the successful acquisition and re-branding of the New York Red Bulls after the team was purchased in March and will work closely with FC Red Bull Salzburg on collaborative activities planned for the future.
"Over the past two months, I've had an opportunity to really get to know this club and am thrilled to help take it to the next level," said De Grandpre.
The new structure for the organization is two-pronged: De Grandpre will run all of the business and commercial aspects of the team, and a soon-to-be-announced Director of Soccer Operations will be responsible for all coaches, players, travel, and training related aspects.
Mo Johnston will stay in place as the head coach and will report to De Grandpre, until the Director of Soccer Operations is named, at which point Johnston will report to the Director of Soccer Operations.
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Official press release from Red Bull New York:
Red Bull New York News Release
ALEXI LALAS RESIGNS AS PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER OF RED BULL NEW YORK
U.S. Soccer Legend to Become President and General Manager of L.A. Galaxy
SECAUCUS, NJ (Monday, April 17, 2006) - Red Bull New York announced today that Alexi Lalas has resigned from his position as President and General Manager of Red Bull New York and will take over as President and General Manager of the Los Angeles Galaxy effective immediately.
"This is a bittersweet moment for me," said Lalas. "While I'm excited about the opportunity to return to the L.A. Galaxy, I'm also sad to be leaving this team and this area after such a short period of time. I wish nothing but the best for this organization, on and off the field, and I firmly believe that with Red Bull's involvement, the sky is the limit."
Lalas was named President and General Manager of the Red Bulls (then MetroStars) on June 13, 2005. He previously served as President and General Manager of the San Jose Earthquakes during the 2004 and 2005 MLS seasons.
Lalas joined the Earthquakes after an outstanding soccer career that began with his first cap on the U.S. National Team in 1991. An Olympian in 1992 and 1996, Lalas was a member of the United States' 1994 World Cup team and in 1995, he was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year. On the international club level, Lalas became the first American player since World War II to play in Italy's Serie A, as he signed with Padova in 1994 and scored three goals during the 1994-1995 season.
He has long been one of the leading figures and most familiar faces in United States soccer and he cemented his place in MLS history by making five all-star appearances over his seven-year career and garnered MLS Best XI honors in 2002. Lalas' MLS career began with the New England Revolution, who he played with for two seasons and then moved on to the MetroStars in 1998. He spent one season with the Kansas City Wizards in 1999 before retiring for the 2000 season. However, he returned to MLS in 2001 and appeared in 59 games for the Los Angeles Galaxy over the next three years. As a member of the Galaxy, he captured the 2000 F.C. Champions Cup, the 2001 U.S. Open Cup, and the 2002 MLS Cup Championship.
The Red Bulls are currently 0-0-3 in the 2006 campaign and sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. They are back in action this Saturday, April 22 when they host rival D.C. United at 4:00 p.m. ET at Giants Stadium.
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Press release from MLS…
FC Barcelona to tour U.S. in August
Ronaldinho, Messi and Eto'o to play in L.A., Houston and New York
NEW YORK -- Soccer United Marketing (SUM) today announced that FC Barcelona, led by Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho, will play three games this August as part of the club's first U.S. Tour since 2003. Barcelona, a UEFA Champions League semifinalist and runaway leader in Spain's La Liga, will travel from coast to coast, playing its first-ever matches in three of the four largest cities in the United States: Los Angeles (Sunday, Aug. 6) and Houston (Wednesday, Aug. 9) versus Mexican clubs, and in New York against the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer (Saturday, Aug. 12). Further details of the games in each city will be announced at a later date.
"This summer's FC Barcelona Tour promises to be one of the greatest soccer events ever to be played on U.S. soil," said MLS Commissioner and SUM CEO Don Garber. "Everyone who loves soccer will get to see the magic of Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi with their own eyes. Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing are honored to bring Barcelona's exhilarating style of play to our fans. For many, this FC Barcelona Tour will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
FC Barcelona, coached by Dutch midfield legend Frank Rijkaard and recognized for its spectacular brand of attacking soccer, features some of the world's greatest players, including FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho (Brazil), 18-year-old sensation Lionel Messi (Argentina), and African Player of the Year Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon). Also in the club's ranks are a host of players who will represent their countries in the 2006 FIFA World Cup: Rafael Marquez (Mexico), Carles Puyol (Spain), Deco (Portugal) and Mark Van Bommel (Holland).
Online ticket registration and deposits, which allows fans to guarantee their seat for the FC Barcelona Tour, kicks off on Wednesday, April 12 at 10:00 a.m. ET at: https://secure.mlsnet.com/MLS/mls/tickets/2006/fc_barcelona/deposit/. Tickets for the FC Barcelona Tour will be available to the general public through MLS clubs in each city (Chivas USA, Houston Dynamo, New York Red Bulls), with packages featuring MLS matches. Details of these ticket packages will be announced by the respective MLS club in the coming weeks on MLSnet.com and the respective club web sites.
"It is a good moment for FC Barcelona to promote its image in the great country of the U.S.," said FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta. "We are sure that, with the cooperation of MLS, Barca will become more recognizable among the North American public. We also believe that the presence of our team - and our star players - will assist the promotion and growth of soccer in the United States."
With just six games remaining, FC Barcelona holds an 11-point lead in the race for their 18th domestic Spanish championship. The reigning Spanish La Liga champions are also preparing for a UEFA Champions League semifinal series against Italy's AC Milan. The first match will be played on April 18 in Milan, Italy with the decisive return leg to be played at the Nou Camp in Barcelona on April 26. The Champions League final will be held on May 17 in Paris, France.
The Spanish giants will be making their first trip to the United States since 2003 when they played a three-game summer tour on the East Coast of the United States. FC Barcelona played at Gillette Stadium (2-2 vs. Juventus) in Foxboro, at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. (2-0 win over AC Milan) and at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia (3-1 loss vs. Manchester United). Following the three matches this August, the team will return to Spain to continue its preseason ahead of the kick-off to the 2006-07 La Liga season.
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Another day and more news about the Red Bulls opening day. There is so much going on, hopefully they have time for soccer:
RED BULL NEW YORK BOOKS SPECIAL MUSICAL GUESTS FOR HOME OPENER
Shakira and Wyclef Jean to headline halftime performance; 18-year-old sensation Rihanna to perform pre-game
SECAUCUS, NJ (Friday, March 31, 2006) – Red Bull New York announced today that world-renowned performers Shakira and Wyclef Jean will headline the halftime show at the Red Bulls home opener on April 8 versus the New England Revolution. In addition, Rihanna will perform at the Red Bull Energy Station outside of the South Tower before the game as well as sing the National Anthem.
"The Red Bulls are committed to entertaining our fans before, during and after our games," said Red Bull New York President and General Manager Alexi Lalas. "These great musical artists are yet another exciting element of what promises to be a historic day of soccer at Giants Stadium on April 8."
Shakira’s most recent album Oral Fixation Volume 2 has reached as high as #5 on the U.S. Billboard Top 200 Album charts. Her new hit single "Hips Don’t Lie" features Wyclef Jean and currently sits in the U.S. Billboard Top 20 in Airplay and is rapidly climbing the Top 40 Singles chart. Her Spanish language version of Oral Fixation Volume 2 (Fijacion Oral Vol. 1) took home the 2006 ‘Pop Album of the Year’ at the Latin Music Awards and her song ‘La Tortura’ won the ‘Pop Song of the Year’ award, also at the Latin Music Awards.
Other notable songs from the Colombian born signer include "Wherever, Whenever" and "Underneath Your Clothes," both of which were off her 2001 album, Laundry Service.
An original member of the band The Fugees, Wyclef Jean was featured on such hits as "Ready or Not," "Killing Me Softly" and "Fu-gee-la." He released a solo album named The Carnival in 1997 which included "Gone Til November" and a remake of the Bee-Gees classic "Stayin’ Alive." Wycelf has collaborated with a number of notable artists in his career, including Santana, Mick Jagger, Whitney Houston, Sublime, Black Eyed Peas and most recently Shakira on "Hips Don't Lie."
18-year-old Rihanna burst on to the music scene in 2005 with her smash "Pon De Replay," a single that climbed as high as #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. She recently released two other singles "S.O.S." and "If It’s Lovin’ That You Want."
The Red Bulls open their 2006 home slate with a 7:15 p.m. tilt against the New England Revolution on Saturday, April 8 at Giants Stadium.
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We'll be posting lots of info about the Red Bulls opening day, but this news was just announced:
RED BULL NEW YORK ANNOUNCES “TRIBUTE TO NEW YORK SOCCER” AT OPENING DAY
Soccer legend Pele to be part of the day’s festivities
SECAUCUS, NJ (Thursday, March 30, 2006) – Red Bull New York announced today the specifics of their “Tribute to New York Soccer” which will take place before their home opener on April 8 against the New England Revolution. Members of the New York Cosmos- including the legendary Pele- along with past MetroStars greats will be in attendance.
“You can't move forward without respecting the past, and so we're going to celebrate the rich soccer tradition that is such a vital part of the New York metropolitan area,” said Red Bull New York President and General Manager Alexi Lalas.
As part of a ceremony that will take place before kickoff, the Cosmos and MetroStars will be honored in an on-field presentation and video tribute on the stadium’s Daktronic Board. Pele and Franz Beckenbauer will then take the honorary “first-kick.”
The New York Cosmos were part of the North American Soccer League and called the tri-state area home from 1971-1985. The list of former Cosmos players who will be in attendance for the Red Bulls home opener includes:
Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, Shep Messing, Giorgio Chinaglia, Carlos Alberto Torres, Hubert Birkenmeier, Andranik Eskandarian, Vladislav Bogicevic, Werner Roth, Freddy Grgurev, Erhardt Kapp, Wim Rijsbergen, Julio Cesar Romero, Boris Bandov, Jorge Siega, and Nelsi Morais
Former MetroStars confirmed include:
Roberto Donadoni, Giovanni Savarese, Peter Vermes, Mark Semioli, Rhett Harty, Miles Joseph, Brian Kelly, and Jimmy Rooney
In addition to the pregame ceremony, the Cosmos and MetroStars will be on-hand at the Red Bull Energy Station- a unique, two-story structure that serves as an oasis for season ticket holders to mingle.
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Ronen and I attended the Red Bulls New York Media Day on Tuesday. We'll have tons of pictures and interviews up in the next few days. I wanted to post some information on some of the special things happening on opening day: - The Red Bull Energy Station, a unique, two-story structure where season ticket holders can hang out, will be located outside of the stadium between Gate C and the South Tower.
- Motocross Big Air Demo featuring Tommy "Tomcat" Clowers and "Mad" Mike Jones, who are two of the most recognized names in freestyle motocross. The two legends will be executing some of the biggest tricks of freestyle motocross, including the "Rock Solid", no handed t-whips and double nacs.
- Giants Stadium bubble will host an interactive zone including a BMX Flatland Demo, a breakdancing exhibition and multiple FIFA Street Video Game Stations.
- BMX Flatland Demo by Terry Adams featuring Adams riding on smooth flat surfaces at slow speeds and balancing on various parts of the bike while spinning it around beneath him.
- Breakdancing demonstration headlined by Richard "Crazy Legs" Colon, and members of the legendary Rock Steady Crew.
- Pre-game show that will feature a game-ball delivery by the Red Bull Air Force, an appearance by the famous "Challenger" (a bald eagle: more details), and a special tribute to pro soccer in New York (see previous post for more details).
- The Red Bull Air Force is an elite crew of professional skydivers who will jump from a Eurocopter Twinstar Helicopter into Giants Stadium with the official game ball in hand.
The team also announced they will play the home opener on grass: "The FieldTurf at Giants Stadium is unacceptable and there is a growing concern for the safety of our players," said Red Bull New York President and General Manager Alexi Lalas. "This decision reflects Red Bull's commitment to providing our fans with an authentic soccer experience and our team with suitable field conditions."
April 8th is shaping up to be a crazy great day!
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Official Press Release from Red Bull New York Media Relations
Red Bull takes over the MetroStars
Red Bull is expanding its interest in soccer with a unique, yet logical, next step in a process that began less than a year ago: the MetroStars will take the field in the upcoming 2006 Major League Soccer season as Red Bull New York.
With that, the fall champion of the Austrian Bundesliga, Red Bull Salzburg, will become the first organization in the history of Austrian soccer to gain a sister team in the MLS - one of the most rapidly expanding leagues in the world.
Red Bull CEO Dietrich Mateschitz said, "18 million Americans actively play soccer in the USA. Up to 60 million are soccer fans. We were so fascinated by these figures that we made the decision to join and support this development by taking over the responsibility for the MetroStars. Our goal is to further strengthen the team and position the New York Red Bulls as the soccer metropolis of the East Coast, as well as to join the investment for a new tailor made soccer stadium - the "Red Bull Arena"- which will serve as the new home for the New York Red Bulls."
Close collaboration between Red Bull Salzburg and the Red Bull New York is planned. Synergies in athletic areas as well as in management and marketing will be tapped. Projected plans include talent scouting, mutual training camps and friendly matches as well as joint marketing, merchandising and public relations activities.
The president and general manager is Alexi Lalas, one of the most prominent individuals in US soccer. The former defender for the US national team (played in the 1994 WC, in the 1998 WC for the U.S. team in France and played seven seasons in MLS) was the first American to receive a pro contract in Italy. The most prominent players in the present cadre are Youri Djorkaeff, part of the French world championship team in 1998 and Marvell Wynne, the first MLS draft pick overall this year.
The New York Red Bulls will kick off the season on the road against D.C. United on Saturday, April 2, and return to Giants Stadium for their first home game on Saturday, April 8, against the New England Revolution.
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