Thanks to Rob P for the heads up . . .

Hey everyone,

I will be at the game tonite, so don't expect my usual running commentary. But for those that would like to use this as the games forum, feel free to comment on the action.

While we wait for the game, here is some stuff to look out for tonight:

MATCH UPS TO WATCH:

Amado Guevara v.

You know what happens when you take two days out of your work week to take a small vacation? You get two times the work on your desk to hammer out when you get back. Thats what.

Here is whats happening in the world of the Bulls:

+ Details have emerged on the nature of the Macoumba Kandji transfer package.

Michael Bradley was a Metrostar. Just ask Alexei Lalas. And with his recent sale from the Dutch Leagues Heerenveen to Germany's Borussia Monchengladbach, rumored to be around $5 million dollars, would you believe that the Red Bulls may be entitled to a piece of the action?

Here it is in a nutshell - MLS will get 20% of the transfer amount ($1 mil).

The dawn of the La Liga season is upon us, and the Yellow Submarine of Villarreal is pulling up to Osasuna's dock, with a couple of dents in its mighty fascade.

Midfielder Robert Pires is out, a heavy blow for the Spanish side. But to make matters worse, their attacking duo of Rossi and Kahveci are also expected to be sidelined.

As if the economic stimulus package wasn't enough to encourage the nation to put a little extra dough into the countries money stream, Wall Street has decided to bring in the big guns - The Red Bulls will be ringing the opening bell for NASDAQ today!

Agoos and Osorio will be on hand, along with Van Den Bergh, Stammler and about 20 other Bulls.

I encourage everyone to check out our writer Steve over at Jozy Altidores player blog here on theOffside.

He will be tracking our Jersey Boys progress through the Olympics and Villarreal. And I am sure this will be a bookmark on my laptop.

Click the pic to check out the link.

No shocker at all, but Coach Nowak announced his Olympic roster, including the likes of Jozy Altidore, Brian McBride, Freddy Adu, Brad Guzan and Michael Parkhurst. The Offside took part in the press conference this afternoon, with your humble blogger as your representative.

He was a laughing stock, awkward, enigmatic, inconsistent, a full of potential but far from reaching it kind of a player. Now? He's got his own T-shirt.

Hat trick Buddle? Who saw this coming?

There was a Claudio Reyna before the Red Bulls - and that is the Reyna that I and the rest of the world will remember forever. Feel how you may, but no one can take away the accomplishments of Captain America.

He was a pioneer for United States soccer. Following the "Golden Era" of American Soccer from 1990-1995, Reyna was one of the first youngsters to emerge as a steady bridge from the old guard to the new.

Questions abound regarding that Reyna DP slot. Do we own it? Will we use it?

Ives is clarifying things, as always. The Bulls won't be using the DP slot this season - mainly due to salary cap constraints. But they plan on using it on a marquee player for the opening of Harrison next summer.

I am in shock. Seriously. I mean, we all expected Reyna to pull a "Djorkaeff" and simply fade into the history books. This is something else all together.

I have to credit ESPN with this gem. Though Ives also says he was the first to report.

Reyna is gone folks. For reals.

So the question now remains - what of the DP?

Alot of things I didn't think were possible happened yesterday.

#1 - A park in the middle of New Yorks infamous Chinatown district was packed on all ends by thousands of footie fanatics dying for a glimpse of some of their favorite stars.

#2 - I got to see TiTi Henry, Robbie Fowler, Kalou, Reyna, Altidore, Angel, Jason Kidd, Barbosa, Baron Davis and and the infamous Steve McManaman play some footie from about a half foot distance.

Thierry Henry, Juan Pablo Angel, Claudio Reyna, Jozy Altidore and a host of other stars from soccer and basketball, will be playing a charity 8 v 8 soccer game in Chinatown at 5pm today! The best part about it? Its open to the public!

Run out of school kids.

Now that Jozy is gone, and a game we played in Washington clearly displayed our deficiencies, who is out there in the market that can take his place?

Time to throw random names against the wall. Maybe one will stick

JAY JAY OKOCHA

Jay Jay was released from Hull City a few weeks ago.

The derby is back!

Red Bulls face DC United this week, in what is always a highly contested and battled game (Saturday 7:30 on MSG and HDnet).

Unfortunately, we are limping into the Lions Den, and the scent of blood is definitely in the air. Claudio Reyna is still injured.

A six year contract with the second place team in all of La Liga?

Jozy, as always, you are doing us proud.

So the final chapter to this prelude is over. And here comes the excitement!

For the many Red Bull fans, USMNT followers, and soccer lovers throughout our great nation - thank you.

Its official! The season is now 1/3rd the way over! How has the team stacked up through 10? Glad you asked . . .

SO FAR - A .500 SEASON

When we were doing our preseason preview, I predicted the Bulls to be 1 game above the .500 mark for the season. A third of the way in, that is exactly where they sit.

Take a look into the future of Jozy Altidore - through the wonderful world of MS Paint!

Huelva seems his likely destination. And that is best. A young man of his skill deserves a chance to start - the key word being "chance." Always keep this in the proper perspective - just because he is transfering to a less than glamourous side does not by any means imply that he will be their immediate starter.

So I walked into my building today to get to my apartment. I head upstairs and the dog is going nuts - its been like 8 hours since I walked him last. But there is a problem - Boca v. Atlas was already started, in the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals. As the whining reached a fever pitch, I swung open the door, and "Dexter" ran out to the hallway.

Amado Guevara has signed with Toronto FC and has already made an impact, playing a major part in the Reds first win of the season.

And, as Melissa reports, Peguero Jean Phillippe (or Jean Phillippe Peguero - the mystery continues) has just signed on with the San Jose Earthquakes.