It should be clear to most of you who follow the New York Red Bulls that there is very spirited fan base, which I will refer to as our Red Bull “community” throughout the remainder of this installment.  This is an important choice of words, because it signifies something much deeper than just a cluster of people in The Corral (Section 115) or in Section 101, or any other section of Giants Stadium.

Dictionary.com offers nine definitions for the noun, “community.”  While all nine are somewhat applicable for my purposes here, I will focus on #3:

“a social, religious, occupational, or other group sharing common characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the larger society within which it exists (usually prec. by the): the business community; the community of scholars.”

Indeed, this interpretation appeals to me most.  As New York Red Bull Fans and as fans of the Beautiful Game, no matter when or where it is played, we represent a truly unique and diverse community around the world.  Perhaps you might recall individual “citizens” (coincidentally, a nickname for RBN season-ticket holders) within your childhood community who were always there to lend a hand.  Whether it be to dig a hole, help you move, or shovel a driveway (I grew up in NH), there was a prevalent sense of belonging and arguably obligation.  We belonged to the same community, and we were obligated to maintaining its integrity by acting in a manner becoming of a good contributing citizen.

I should relent on philosophy for now, but I have been painfully reminded of the higher cause of RBN, which is reflected in our organization’s Statements of Purpose.

You may recall ~ 2years ago that RBN played an instrumental role, along with Sportfriends Soccer Club in Wayne, NJ, to raise ~ $26,000 for the Phil Diffley Family Trust.  Phil suffered from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease) and passed away Friday, January 25.  I played soccer with Phil at Sportfriends when he was healthy, and when his health was declining.  I even saw him play in last game for Sportfriends.  I never once heard him complain, and he always played hard (and well), and was quick with encouragement on and off the pitch.

My last memories of Phil were during the SocCURE Marathon Tournament at Sportfriends, where he coached his team from the sidelines in his wheelchair.  He was surrounded by family, friends, his players.  He was exactly where he wanted to be that day and night.

Phil’s presence that night also reminded me of another Sportfriends citizen and the coach of the Sportfriends women’s team, Franz Reiss, who succumbed to the same disease a little more than 2 years ago, if I am not mistaken.  Even in his final days, Franz would still make it to the sideline to support the ladies on the pitch.  Frankly, the details are not as important as remembering who these men were and what they represented.

I miss them both, as does the rest of the Sportfriends community.  Phil’s recent passing causes me to reflect on matters closer to RBN’s collective heart.

Every July 30, RBN remembers how it lost one of its own, Gennaro (Jerry) Russo, to myelofibrosis.  It came on so suddenly and progressed so rapidly.  We could hardly fathom the loss.  RBN pulled together for the Jerry and the Russo Family and donated blood.  We continue to support each other today.  Going forward, RBN raises funds every season to be donated to the USO in Jerry’s name.  It was a request of the Russo Family, and we responded accordingly.

I am proud to be an RBN National, and other Nationals and Diplomats should take the same pride in knowing that you belong to a unique, strong, and thriving community.  We give much of ourselves unselfishly in many different ways.  This spirit, combined with thousands of other spirited communities worldwide, comprise the indomitable global soccer community.

As we prepare for another MLS Cup campaign and supporting US Soccer in World Cup qualifying for 2010, please remember that we are many individuals who are lifted by acting as one.  Every time we lose any citizen, we lose a little bit of ourselves . . .

Peace Be With You,

Chief Toro

Auld Lang Syne (decrescendo) . . .  !! HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

(What is the rule of thumb as to how long can we appropriately greet people this way?)

Now, that the confetti has settled and the libations run dry (for now), it is time to refocus on what REALLY matters . . .  the 2008 MLS Season!!  So, if you have been checking the soccer boards, MLS web site, and New York Red Bulls web site, there is evidence that the “buzz” for the new MLS Cup campaign is escalating (i.e., crescendo).  Surely, this is merely the beginning of the rumor mill churnings, and I, for one, am very excited about it.  I refer back to Marc deGrandpre’s challenge: To win an MLS Cup BEFORE we play in Red Bull Park, the construction of which has been reinvigorated, with the hopes of an inaugrual match in the 2009 campaign.

However, let us not get ahead of ourselves.  Indeed, deGrandpre is working hard to establish the organizational culture and infrastructure to realize the goal that he has set forth.  Juan Carlos Osorio, and NEW Sporting Director, Jeff “Goose” Agoos, will execute their “plan” for the upcoming 2008 SuperDraft in Baltimore, MD.  They are further back in the “queue” than they would like, but do the names Jeff Parke (pick #60) and Dane Richards (pick #19) mean anything to you?  I hope to personally attend this, now that I live in Virginia.  It will be the first one I have attended, and I am very much looking forward to it.

Aside from the SuperDraft, the leading “league buzz” seems to be the contemplation by Figo to come to MLS.  CAUTION: Disgruntled European stars do not make great MLS players.  Before you say, “What about Beckham?”, I did not and still do not view him as a disgruntled European player.  There is a bigger plan that Beckam is helping MLS to execute, and I think enjoys his role in it.

“Red Bulls buzz” has been kicked off (no pun) with the first assurance that we will have a great keeper on our 2008 roster . . . “Make Way for Conway!!”  Honestly, I think he earned a steady #1 spot on last year’s roster.  He is due, and I think he will come through, notwithstanding one of the most ridiculous keeper blunders in MLS history.  I am looking forward to other roster announcements as the weeks pass by.  Also, the Red Bulls have an opportunity to redeem themselves from last year’s dismal Carolina Challenge Cup campaign, which will feature the reborn San Jose Earthquakes.  Stay tuned!

It is easy to stay informed if you frequent our RagingBullNation Calendar.  In addition to the MLS, the USMNT is ramping up for its 2010 WCQ Campaign, which includes intensified training and kicking off the 2008 friendly schedule with Sweden this month.  Let us not ignore the U17’s quest for the upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympics this summer!  The RagingBullNation Calendar has been updated with highlight events for MLS, the Red Bulls, and US Soccer.  So, be sure to check it often to know when and where . . . like RBN’s THIRD BIRTHDAY next month?!!!

Well, that is all I have to say at this point.  Do not expect me to keep up with the pace of the news in the coming months, because it will be frenzied.  Though, I will be sure to update periodically.  If I really analyzed everything I wrote or could possibly write or wanted to write about MLS, RBNY, US Soccer, I think my head would explode, sending my Golden Horns skyward.

By the way, even though Mama Bull has the RBN reigns, I will still wear my battle-tested, shimmering headgear until the Red Bulls win their first MLS Cup.  You can quote me on that . . .

YIRB

Chief Toro

PS

As a season-ticket holder, I just received a great premium from the RBFO . . . the full broadcast of the incredible match against the LA Galaxy, where David Beckham made is full-90 debut in the MLS regular season in front of nearly 67,000 spectators and soccer fans on DVD!  It also includes the FSC pre- and post-match presentations, AND highlights of the 2007 Red Bulls’ season.  Being a season ticket holder has many more benefits, so why not become a National or Diplomat of RagingBullNation and mix it up in “The Corral” with us?