In the wake of the recent rise of the New York Red Bulls MLS commissioner Don Garber said, “The league has had to operate for over a decade with a team in an extremely importantmarket that underdelivered and was unable to capture the hearts and minds of the city.”
The Wall Street Journal’s Kevin Clark writes that the franchisefor the first time has become a force in the league and perhaps in its crowded New York marketplace, on and off the field. The Red Bulls had the worst record in the league in 2009. Now they’re insecond place in the East under first-year coach Hans Backe, 12 points ahead of third place, and look to have their best regular-season finish in at least nine seasons. They featureFrench star Thierry Henry and Mexican star Rafael Marquez.
At the team’s new stadium in Harrison, N.J., which cost at least $220 million, attendance hasrisen to 17,926 per game from 12,774 the year before.
“There is no comparison between now and when I got here,” said striker Juan Pablo Angel, the team’s biggest starbefore Henry’s arrival. Angel, acquired in 2007, has 12 goals this season, second most in the league.
The Red Bulls need to keep Juan Pablo.He is doing everything he can to help the team win, making great passes, helping out defensively, and still has 12 goals.
The Red Bulls need to keep Juan Pablo.He is doing everything he can to help the team win, making great passes, helping out defensively, and still has 12 goals.