Good Evening Dave Martinez,

The New York Red Bulls have won the Western Conference Championship. All year, you have followed their exploits, interviewed the usual suspects, and speculated on their playoff hopes. All questions have been answered, and now its time for the final phase of this project to go into motion.

This one is for CUCS.

Enjoy.

(PS: Notice how the spanish announcers pronounce Wolys name perfectly - while every English speaking announcer outside of NY calls him WALL KNEE ACK)

Hey, I can eat crowe all day if you want me to - but who saw this coming? The Red Bulls played an extremely physical game against the defending MLS champions, and came out on top in a commanding three nil performance. All doubters? You are silenced.

Featuring the same lineup two weeks in a row, the Red Bulls pulled off the impossible; a win in Houston.

As the starting lineup for the first leg of this home and home series was announced, it seemed that the omissions were louder than the stadiums speakers. Juan Pietravallo, Gabriel Cichero and Jorge Rojas all rode the bench in a crucial playoff showdown. But put it into context; these are the show pieces of the Coaches midseason signings.

My home computer has a huge, disabling virus.

My throat is more ripped than Van Winkle.

My head, throbbing and sweating like a fat guy on a stair master.

My body? Completely weakened and dead.

You see, though 4 tickets to the Houston playoff game laid within eye distance from my bed, I could not get up and use them.

I have to hand it to the Footie God of SBI, he has been covering the Red Bulls / Dynamo series like butter on a hot bagel. What has he taught us?

- Seth Stammler is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

- The Red Bulls are relying on past experience to assume that the Dynamo hate playing on the Giant Stadium turf/cement (as evidenced by the 3-0 destruction that took place earlier in the year).

Hey everyone. Alot of things have been going on and I have fallen way behind. Forgive me.

Here are some highlights of the past week, and today.

- The Red Bulls have found themselves facing Houston in the first round. Yes, the Western Conference Houston Dynamo. How? For the uninformed, the final wild card spot, based on the entire leagues aggregate point standings (single table), found the Red Bulls barely squeeking in with the very last spot.

Your destiny is in your hands.

Win and you're in.

We have heard all the cliches before. And it always seems to be so encouraging before you step into a game. "Win and you're in. . . ," yea right.

Juan Carlos Osorio had to travel to the city he shunned to breathe life into his new teams playoff hopes.

Don't tell me it was the Columbus Reserves, don't tell me it was a gift, don't ruin my parade - THE RED BULLS WON! And now they are a gentle whisper away from the final Wild Card berth. And to think, Andrew Boyens thought the Crew would throw the kitchen sink at them . . . . but I digress.

Riding the backs of Juan Pablo Angel and Danny Cepero (YES, DANNY CEPERO), and relying on a depleted defensive line, the Red Bulls did what winners do in these situations, burying home 2 goals in the clutch to seal a victory and a potential playoff berth.

One thing is for sure - when Juan Carlos Osorio set his sights on a tall centerback to man the Red Bulls defensive line, he wasn't kidding. I mean look at this picture - he sticks out like a mountain in a big blue shirt!

After the initial shock that came from being traded out of Toronto, Andrew Boyens has lived through an up, down and up again rollercoaster of a season.

Before I put up the Andrew Boyens / Big Mac Kandji interviews, I would be remiss not to note the performance of our international players (and a former one as well):

DANE RICHARDS

Dane came in around the 75th minute earning his 4th cap in another Jamaican win, this time over Honduras 1-0.

Tonights game has that weight of importance that MLS fans only seem to feel when David Beckham and the Galaxy are in town. Its with that in mind that I invite NYRB and RSL fans alike to the TORB for some LB (Live Bloggings).

Here is some stuff to hype ya' up for tonites showcase clash, on ESPN 2 @ 10pm:

- Dema Kovalenko is dying to get into tonights game, and he tells the Desert News all about it.

As work continues to get in the way of my blogging and online trading, I figured I'de combine both for a new feature on The Red Bulls Offside (TRBO on your stock tickers) simply entitled "Bull Market."

Much like our current financial crisis, the Red Bulls are falling down an endless pit of despair without a rope or cleaver to prevent the fall.

THE CURRENT STANDINGS:

x - Columbus - 53
x - Houston - 43
New England - 43
Chicago - 42
Chivas - 39
RSL - 35
NYRB - 35
Rapids - 34

KNOCKING ON THE DOOR

Everyone EXCEPT the Galaxy

Dallas is actually at 34, but the tie breaker belongs to Colorado.

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.

The guy that puts together your favorite tailgate parties? The gal who puts together supporters group trips to enemy territory? The person who sneaks in the confetti? Or the one who composes all the new DC HATE chants? Hell, even your favorite friggin blogger ! The Red Bulls are asking you - "Who is the Red Bulls Fan Of The Year?

Two come from behind goals to tie the game, one goal for the lead, and the home result? Zero points. Ouch.

Last year, Bruce Arena was highly criticized for his inability to field a consistent squad week in and week out. Coach Osorio is beginning to get an earful for the same.

CURRENT SITUATION

The Bulls find themselves six points behind Chicago, and two over DCU. In this pivotal playoff chase, the Bulls, on paper, have the safest challenge of the above teams this week, facing an underachieving and unstable Colorado side. United finds themselves on the road against a resurgent Dallas squad.

Hey everyone. I am back.

There has been some construction in my office that forced me off the internet for nearly four days. I never knew technology could cause withdrawals . . . . but here I am, back to the old bloggeroo.

And here is some stuff I've missed (and maybe you have too) this week:

+ As some of you already know, Gabe Cichero and Jorge Rojas won't be there for the leagues induction of RSL's new soccer specific stadium.

Terribly sorry that I didn't post yesterday, but I've been uber busy. Anyway, since there's no national news, let's turn our attention to club news.
Champions League
Fiorentina tied 2-2 in their CL Group Stage opener with Lyonnais. The game was full of controversy, and you can debate until you're bluer than Tobias Funke over whether Lyonnais' first goal was valid or not.

Join me here, tonight at 7pm, as I have a couple of Bud Lights (Im on a diet), devour some sushi and take in the fixture that Juan Carlos Osorio calls "The most important game of the season."

Will Kandji take the pitch?

Will Schelotto actually play?

Will the Bulls at least emerge with a point?

With the absolutely humiliating display of football Colombia has been exhibiting lately, it was a foregone conclusion that technical director Jose Luis Pinto would have to walk the plank. Well, it happened. And in his place, interim coach Eduardo Lara, is looking to mend fences with those shunned by Pinto.

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.

It took alot to get the deal done, but the Atlanta Silverback goal scoring forward stand out Macoumba Kandji is now a Red Bull. The Silverhawks have agreed to a loan deal through the rest of this season, with an option to sign . And after passing his physical, you can expect him to be making his debut in short time.

In their inaugaral valuation of Major League Soccer, the Red Bulls rounded up the top five most valuable teams in the league.

Here is how they stand, per Forbes:

Value: $36 million

Revenue: $10 million

Operating Income: -$4.5 million

The Red Bulls hope their days as a small fish in the big New York sports pond will be over once they begin play at Red Bulls Arena in Harrison, N.

I am doing this weeks post game a bit differently. To those who love the usual format, the hero was Angel, who kept trucking and creating the entire game despite showing an enormous amount of disappointment and angst in relation to the non existent attack.

As for the other three catagories, Diego Jimenez scores an "Offside Hat Trick.

Well, business is back to normal after the Kandji disaster last week. Weeks of good news and achievement took a backseat to the alleged communist behavior of the MLS. But people do forget rather quickly, especially after the team has performed so damn well in a historically disasterous period for previous Metro/Bull squads.

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).

Every road point counts as the march to the playoffs continue. Satudays Primetime game featured lots of back and forth play, with 0 goals to show for it. The evening ended in a 0-0 draw But its a draw that feels like a win - a road point during an important playoff race, given to us by a choking Jaime Moreno!

After trialing with the team the past two weeks, Gambian youth player Sainey Tourey has signed on the dotted line for the Red Bulls and will be available for tommorrows DC United clash.

Tourey has trialed with Arsenal in the past. He has also been a part of the Gambian Under 20's and 17's, playing a key role as a stud forward.

Just when you thought the league turned the corner on ridiculous rules and regulations, we get this - MLS has blocked Red Bulls transfer of Atlanta Silverback standout, Kanji.

Grandfathering Carlos Ruiz is fine.

Grandfathering Landon Donovan? No problem Beckha .

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.

So how is the progress after seven days? The Red Bulls are keeping their fans abreast of situations with Red Bull Arena by sending periodic e-mailed press releases on the progress. So why not share the info with those who aren't in the loop? Enjoy.

RED BULL NEW YORK PRESS RELEASE

HARRISON, NJ (August 26, 2008) – Red Bull New York begins today providing regular updates on the progress of Red Bull Arena Built by Makita.

As you may have heard, Jorge Rojas had some visa problems while playing with his Venezuelan National side, and could not reenter the US. Long story short - his passport was found to be damaged to the point of possible forgery back in his native land, and refused his right to travel. Once they found out who he was, his visa was reinstated in ONE DAY.

This was my footie weekend. Fo' Sho'. Need proof? Well, I will be glad to share it . . . .

#1 - ARGENTINA WINS THE GOLD!!!!!!!

In what was widely considered the best footie game of the Olympics, the Biceleste faught through Nigerian pressure and African style heat to win the Gold Medal.