July 15, 2010
The Red Bulls did the expected yesterday when they announced that they have signed ex-France international forward Thierry Henry.
As with most DP signings, I'll take a wait and see attitude. While Juan Pablo Angel might like a running mate that can play at the same high level that he can, I wonder if he'd have preferred a midfielder that could find him over another forward?
And it will be interesting to see if Henry has any sort of lasting effect when it comes to drawing fans to Red Bull Arena. Last weekend's DC United-NY Red Bulls game at Red Bull Arena had an announced crowd over 16,000. But from what I saw on TV, it looked like Red Bull Arena was about half full.
For me, Thierry Henry will be worth the investment if he can elevate the Red Bulls on the field and at the ticket window.
As a DC United fan, I hope not!
Rhinos play to another scoreless draw
Bob Lilley is obviously not real happy with how his team has played as of late.
Although, for a guy with the rep as a "defensive minded coach", you'd think that he'd be thrilled with back to back clean sheets!
It will be interesting to see how the Rhinos look on Saturday night when the Carolina RailHawks come to town.
News & Notes:
- If you didn't catch Devo linking to this NY Post article on Rhinos GK Neal Kitson, here you go.
- Props go out to the Rochester Ravens who are now on a two game winning streak. Also, Ravens MF Brooke Barbuto was named to the W-League Team of the Week.
- How ironic is it that the same week NY signs Henry and DC's newest DP, Branko Boskovic , debuts, the Houston Dynamo cut ties with their DP Luis Landin . MLS clubs need to up their batting average on DP signings, IMO.
- Steve Davis looks at where MLS teams might look to add new DPs.
- DC's Bryan Namoff is retiring and moving into DC's front office as the new Special Projects Manager.
- The Portland Timbers are in the news again ahead of their move to MLS.
- If you don't watch your ESPY's viewing experience ruined, don't click on this link.
- MLS Talk looks on the Bob Bradley watch.
- How about that NSC Minnesota Stars come back from down 2-0 late to get a draw versus AC St Louis?
- Pitch Invasion has a shout out for Inside Minnesota Soccer.com's look at fixing D2 pro soccer. And here is part 2 of that series that has a lot of stuff with Rob Clark.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and not necessarily those of the Rochester Rhinos or SoccerSam.com. Feel free to send any comments or complaints to news@soccersam.com. James promises to read (but not to respond) to all of them.
