While many of you might assume I am referring to individual player accolades, I am actually referring to the first 11 seasons of MLS. It has been a while ride from 1996-2006, today’s version of MLS soccer has vastly improved from that of the inaugural season. Now, I do not mean to discredit or slight the MLS “trailblazers.” In fact, it is the ultimate compliment to them!

Even though I a bleed Red Bull, I really enjoyed watching the MLS Cup match yesterday afternoon. I had to work a deal with a coworker to do it, but in my opinion, it was worth it! I thought ABC did a nice job with the angles and audio, and even Eric Wynalda did not tick me off as he usually does. Furthermore, it is nice to know that if Bruce Arena’s tenure in New York abruptly ends for whatever reason, he has a shot with ESPN or ABC in technical commentary. Bruce has been the “self-promotion wizard” these days, no? YOU WORK IT, BRUCESTER, BUT NOT BEFORE YOU BRING AN MLS CUP TO NEW YORK.

Speaking of New York, Don “The Commish” Garber recently proclaimed the State of the League and reaffirmed some very important news during a live interview during the 2006 MLS Cup match. In 2010, we could see another MLS team in the New York market!! Now, this is not necessarily NEW news to many of us, BUT he confirmed it on an international broadcast, which brings some more credibility to it! Other exciting news included the new Designated Player Rule. However, with the addition of Toronto FC next season, we will be watching two less matches during the regular season (one home & one away). Hmmmfff . . . I understand the rationale, but not sure I like the idea. Regardless, I am hopeful that the RBFO will offer up some nice international competitive (e.g., MLS Copa) or friendly matches as “compensation.”

Remember, folks! SEASON-TICKET HOLDERS are always taken care of first when these “compensation” opportunities come around. So, if you are still on the fence about whether or not to purchase Red Bull season tickets, you have until December 15 to take advantage of 2006 prices for 2007, including an additional discount on RagingBullNation seats in The Corral (Section 115). Yes, this is another shameless plug, but I really believe you will enjoy Red Bulls soccer even more if you share your experiences with folks like us . . . REALLY! I have plenty of UNSOLICITED testimony, and a classic is featured in my “The Unforgiven” BULLog post immediately preceding this one.

Speaking of “The Unforgiven,” as a New Englandah myself, I cannot help but feel bad for Pat Noonan and Jay Heaps . . . MAN what botched PKs. Incidentally the PK series was thrilling in and of itself . . . SERIOUSLY!!

FINALLY, I COMPLETED AND UPLOADED ALL OF THE REMAINING VIDEOS (YOU ARE WELCOME, VERY MUCH!), EXCEPT FOR ONE, WHICH WILL BE UNVEILED AT THE END OF THIS WEEK!!!! The new videos begin with the September 16 entry in the Bull’s Eye View, but there are also earlier ones from this season that have been posted for some time.

If you have not perused this part of our site, it is worth a little bit of your time to get a better idea about RagingBullNation’s MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES DISORDER! Seriously, as they say, “A picture is worth 1,000 words.” If this is true, then reminisce with us in the Bull’s Eye View, and if you are a DVD buff, and you missed last season’s audiovisual content, you might check this offer out!

Getting back to MLS . . . Thank you MLS, the MetroStars, and the New York Red Bulls for the memories this season and previous ones, and giving “soccer crackpots” like myself an invigorating and frustrating hobby! We have some more important news to share with you at the end of this week, so check back soon!

Until later this week . . .

YIRB,

CT

So, I watched the MLS East Conference Championships . . . and I could not help but empathize with DC United, who can now be thrown into the same bucket as the New York Red Bulls . . . THE UNFORGIVEN. If you look at the box score, you would have thought the outcome would have been different. Alas! The Beautiful Game exacts its merciless blow, and rewards the opportunist (i.e., Taylor Twellman/New England Revolution). DC United, winner of the Supporters Shield and the first team to clinch a playoff berth with 55 regular-season points, is disposed. Freddy Adu, holding his head in his hands on the bench, must now personify DC’s collective state of emotion.

As an avid New York Red Bull fan, I am [unfortunately] all too accustomed to these circumstances. While I do empathize, there is another small side of me that is gloating . . . especially to the immature, 20-something, pre-pubescent princesses who jeered about us losing last weekend as we peacefully exited RFK. I exclaimed my prediction in response, “You’ll lose to New England!” I knew they would, because they did not deserve to be there to begin with. Regardless of what you think of the MLS playoff structure, it is what it is . . . any given team, any given day or night. Congratulations to the Revolution for turning the “Blackout” into a “Whiteout.” (I really had to figure a way to work this idea in . . . it was too good to let it pass! ) To DC’s credit, they were more deserving, but again, were “The Unforgiven.” Follow the rest of the 2006 MLS Cup drama, here.

Now, back to New York. Yes, it is our off-season now, but we are still busy with our RagingBullNation Heart of the Bull election process!! Check back on this site soon to see which one of the five finalists wins! Also, we FINALLY get our due press from the fantastic job Mama Bull did during our last home Roundup! The “beneficiaries” appreciated our efforts as well: LCEC Cover Letter Thanks Letter1 Thanks Letter2 Thanks Letter3. I guess we now must rename ourselves “Red Bull Nation?” hehe Too cute!! Of course, now the drama unfolds as to who stays or goes for the Red Bulls’ 2007 season. Always good fodder for the chat boards, as will be the 2007 Expansion Draft, where former Red Bull “rogue,” Mo “Mojo” Johnston will look to build the Toronto FC team from the ground up. Our Raging Reds’ inspiring performance last weekend should give ALL Red Bull fans something to look forward to next season, and the season after that, and after that . . .

It is my goal to have the Bull’s Eye View (”BEV”) videos compiled and posted by the end of next week. So, hold your breath! Seriously, it should be good stuff! Now, I must return to the comfort of the couch and TV, to see who will take on the Revolution . . . My prediction? Houston Dynamo. Why, because I would hate to see Kyle “Pig Pen” Beckerman get a shot at the Cup before we do! heheeeeee!!!! [When you got, you got! Houston 3-1]

YIRB,

CT

PS
We have received quite a few flattering e-mails after the season has completed. We truly value your feedback, even the not-so-good stuff. We would especially like to thank all the authors for taking the time to encourage us (see an excellent example below). As any fan club leader will tell you, it is a LOT of labor . . . but a labor of love! Feedback like that below, and the sincere letters of thanks from our guests over the past two years make it all worthwhile! GO RED BULLS!

10/30/06 . . .“Hi, I’m a huge soccer enthusiast and after years of following the metros I became a season ticketholder this year - my feeling is that if people like me who love soccer don’t support MLS, who will?! Even though I’ve not been able to get invoved in your RagingBullNation, I’ve watched the support you give the team - before games at your tailgates, during the games and in the Pub afterwards, and I’ve read and enjoyed all of your commentaries this past season. I wanted to express my thanks to you and your entire group for being such excellent team supporters and for inspiring fans like myself to get out to games and to get into the Pub and to enjoy soccer at this more involved level. It was another frustrating season of “almosts” - we almost scored, we almost won - but I think the team did in fact improve and last night’s game at DC gave me so much hope for a better next season! Keep up the great work, — HR”