New York Red Bulls
2007 Record: 12-11-7 (3rd in East)
Coach: Juan Carlos Osorio (1st Year)
Key Players: Juan Pablo Angel, Claudio Reyna, Jozy Altidore
Key Pickups: Zach Thornton (Free Agency)
Key Losses: Clint Mathis (Ergotelis), Ronald Waterreus (Ret.)
2008 Outlook: Good
We don’t get many Ergotellis games on TV here in Alabama, which is a real shame. I will miss watching Clint Mathis play now that he has gone Greek. It’s fun to imagine what it would be like if Clint joined a Greek fraternity, instead of a Greek soccer team. It’s not that hard to imagine it either.
If I were another team in the East, I would be scared of RBNY. They basically return all of their most important offensive weapons sans Mathis (who still is on the list for the all-time most disappointing performance in a World Cup by a player with a mohawk). Stammler and Freeman are both versatile players. Reyna is still one of the better field generals. What they lost between the pipes has been replaced with the acquisition of Thornton.
But what I would be most scared of when I face the Bulls is the Double A Battery™ at the top. I just trademarked that just now, by the way, so don’t even try it. Angel and Altidore and poised to be the best tandem of forwards in the league, hands down.
It’s a shame Altidore will likely soon turn to Europe to further his career. He appears to be coming along so well right beside last year’s league goal per game leader Angel.
Overall, the team has depth, a coach with something to prove, and two of the most exciting and potentially productive offensive players in the league. That is a recipe for success in any sports league.
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