Club Overview

Red Bull New York is an American professional soccer organization based in New Jersey that fields a team in Major League Soccer called the New York Red Bulls.The team plays their home matches at Giants Stadium located at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey but is currently constructing a new stadium in Harrison named Red Bull Arena. The team's headquarters are located in Secaucus, New Jersey.

The team is a founding member of Major League Soccer, but has gone through several name changes. The team was originally known as the New York/New Jersey MetroStars through 1997. From the 1998 season until right before the 2006 season, the team was known as simply the MetroStars. On March 9, 2006, it was sold to Red Bull GmbH, and the name of the organization was changed to Red Bull New York while the playing team was to be called the New York Red Bulls. The sale of the team was controversial among its fans, similar to the situation in Austria, where Red Bull bought SV Austria Salzburg and renamed it FC Red Bull Salzburg.

The team plays its home matches at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. During the team's first season, the MetroStars had solid black or solid white jerseys and during all other seasons, the home jerseys had red and black vertical stripes. The MetroStars were known as the New York/New Jersey MetroStars through 1997, after which the NY/NJ part of the name was gradually phased out and then dropped altogether.

The team's best result in MLS play was the MLS Cup final in 2008. In the US Open Cup, the MetroStars reached three semifinals (1997, 1998, 2000), before finally reaching their first final in 2003, losing 1-0 to the Chicago Fire. On August 26, 2000, the Metros' Clint Mathis set an MLS record by scoring five goals in a game against the Dallas Burn.

The team's main and bitter rival is D.C. United, with whom they compete annually for the Atlantic Cup, a minor title instituted by the two teams' management that DC United has won four out of five times. In 2006, former DC United player Alecko Eskandarian went to the extent of drinking Red Bull after a goal and spitting it onto the field as an intentional slight on the recently renamed Red Bulls. He was then fined by the Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee $250. The DC United and New York Red Bulls rivalry is perhaps the most embittered in all of MLS. Other rivals are the New England Revolution and the Chicago Fire. The Red Bulls are also developing a rivalry with the new MLS expansion side Toronto FC due to the short distance between the teams.

The team was sold to Austrian energy drink producer Red Bull and then was renamed Red Bull New York in 2006. The team currently is building a new stadium named Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. The team colors are red, white, and blue.

Some famous players that played for the team were Roberto Donadoni, Lothar Matthäus, Adolfo Valencia, Youri Djorkaeff, Amado Guevara. The team has had its share of famous coaches as well, including Carlos Queiroz, Carlos Alberto Parreira, Bora Milutinović, as well as Bob Bradley, Mo Johnston, and Bruce Arena. American stars Tony Meola, Tab Ramos, Tim Howard, Alexi Lalas (who was also the team's General Manager, for a brief time), Clint Mathis, and Eddie Pope have all played for the team.

Club History

1996-2000 The club's original name was Empire Soccer Club, which gave birth to the name of the team's largest supporters' group, Empire Supporters Club. Team owners John Kluge and Stuart Subotnick were executives at the company MetroMedia, leading to the inclusion of "Metro" as part of the soccer team's name. Nike wanted the full name to be MetroFlash, but a more sensible MetroStars was selected.

Tab Ramos, the first player to sign with MLS, became the first MetroStar, and was soon joined by 1994 World Cup teammate Tony Meola and A.C. Milan star midfielder Roberto Donadoni. 1990 World Cup player Peter Vermes was named the first team captain, but it was the previously unknown Venezuelan Giovanni Savarese who became the Metros' first breakthrough star. The team's first coach was Eddie Firmani of New York Cosmos fame.

When the league began play in 1996, it was expected that the MetroStars would quickly become the league's dominant team. Despite famous players and high-profile coach, the team never seemed to gel. In the team's first home game against the New England Revolution, former Juventus defender Nicola Caricola headed a cross into his own net in the dying minutes to hand New England a 1-0 win in front of 46,000 fans. The resulting play would later be dubbed the "Curse of Caricola" by fans to explain the team's inability to come through with a domestic trophy in their history. Firmani left after eight games (3-5) and was replaced by former Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz who did no better than even (12-12) the rest of the season. The team made it into the playoffs, only to lose to eventual champions D.C. United.

The team continued to flounder season after season. The combination of talented players and insipid play earned the team the sobriquet, RotMasters, from Paul Gardner, a curmudgeonly columnist at SoccerAmerica. Gardner coined the name by rearranging the letters spelling MetroStars.

Starting in 1998, the team stopped referring to itself NY/NJ, but it took a few years for the media and fans to catch up. The team went by just MetroStars, with no city or state attached to it, a rarity in American sports.

In 2000 MetroStars dropped the bombshell by acquiring German International player Lothar Matthäus from Bayern München. Matthäus played in 16 MLS fixtures during the season and his tenure in USA is considered a disappointment.

Over the years, the MLS front office has attempted to help this team, which sits in the middle of the nation's media center of New York City by bending the rules to move high-profile names to the team.However, that practice was abandoned since the sale of the team in 2001 to the Anschutz Entertainment Group; in fact, AEG President Tim Leiweke commented on neglect towards the franchise under its previous owners.

2001-2005

Despite their poor domestic record, the MetroStars became the first (and at this point, only) MLS team to win a trophy outside of North American soil, a 2004 victory in La Manga Cup. The MetroStars defeated Ukraine's Dynamo Kyiv 3–2 in the semifinals before edging Norway's Viking FK 1–0 in the final.

Late in 2005, after the firing of Bob Bradley, assistant Mo Johnston was named interim head coach and guided the team to seven points in its last three games, with wins at DC United and then at Chivas USA the MetroStars made it to the playoffs.Unfortunately it was just another season to end in disappointment after they were knocked out of the playoffs with a 3-2 loss to the New England Revolution.

Red Bull takeover (2006-2007)

When Red Bull purchased the MetroStars in 2006, it decided to completely re-brand the franchise, changing the name, colors, and logo. The team's purchase by Red Bull generated controversy among some fans of the MetroStars, not dissimilar to the situation in Austria, where Red Bull bought SV Austria Salzburg and renamed it Red Bull Salzburg. While some fans were disappointed with the loss of Metro identity, others found fault in corporate branding, or with labelling the franchise as New York, when it plays and is headquartered in New Jersey. Some fans even went to the extent of leaving the team. Letters to the Red Bulls ownership show their indifference to what former fans thought of the name change. Other fans have accepted the change, in light of the MetroStars' lack of success on the field, and waning support in the stands. In 2006 the Red Bulls managed to defeat German powerhouse Bayern Munich 4–2 in a friendly game in Giants Stadium which was a sign of progress.Also in 2006, The Red Bulls had a friendly against FC Barcelona but lost 4-1 in front of a sold out crowd of over 79,000 fans at Giants Stadium. Also on August 18, 2007 the NY-LA Galaxy match debut of David Beckham drew 66,238 fans to Giants stadium and all time league record for a non-double header league match.

Red Bulls VS. L.A. Galaxy On August 18, 2007. After a disappointing world-cup run, Bruce Arena immediately helped the new Red Bulls. They made it to the playoffs and after a late goal by Jozy Altidore seemed they could go further. Unfortunately a late goal was scored by DC United ending the playoff run and dreams of players and fans. The Red Bulls are set to play host to FC Barcelona again this summer in a rematch of the 2006 match.

On November 5, 2007, Bruce Arena resigned as coach of the Red Bulls.The move came two days after the team was eliminated from the 2007 MLS playoffs by the New England Revolution.

Former Chicago Fire and Millonarios coach Juan Carlos Osorio was announced as the new coach of the Red Bulls. He has wanted to come back to New York because of his family and friends located in New York. "This is without a doubt one of the most proud moments for me, to be back in New York with all my family and friends," Osorio said. "Since 2001, when I left for Manchester City I always made it my goal to come back to MLS as head coach of the New York Red Bulls. Today, I've been given that opportunity, and I'm extremely proud and extremely pleased."

2008 - Present

Juan Carlos Osorio led the Red Bulls to a good start in the 2008 season despite some injuries. South African midfielder Danleigh Borman made an early push for Rookie of the Year after scoring two goals in two games. Borman was drafted in the first round of the 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft. Jeff Parke led the defense in Osorio's 3-5-2 formation.

Superstar forward Jozy Altidore left the Red Bulls to sign a six year deal with La Liga club Villarreal CF for a record $10 million transfer fee, the highest for any American soccer player. On July 14th, American soccer star Claudio Reyna retired from the team. His departure leaves an opening for some of the Red Bulls' recent additions, including Jorge Rojas, who already has three assists under his belt, Juan Pietravallo, Diego Jimenez, and Gabriel Cichero. Over 47,000 tickets were sold to the July 19 game versus the Los Angeles Galaxy which was the team's and league's season record attendance. The game ended in a 2-2 draw with goals from Dave van den Bergh and Juan Pablo Angel. The Red Bulls held the lead for most of the match, but Landon Donovan tied the game late into injury time. New signing Rojas had two assists in the game. Pietravallo also made his RBNY debut as a substitute in the 89th minute.

The Red Bulls played Spanish powerhouse FC Barcelona in a friendly match on August 6 before about 40,000 fans. They lost 6-2, with their goals scored by Rojas and Seth Stammler. Gabriel Cichero made his debut that night.On August 11, the Red Bulls defeated bitter rival DC United in a convincing 4-1 win with goals from star striker Juan Pablo Angel, Mike Magee, and Sinisa Ubiparipovic. This crucial win kept the Red Bulls in the tight Eastern Conference playoff race and earned them temporary bragging rights in the bitter Atlantic Cup rivalry.

Though being the last team to qualify for the playoffs in the 2008 season, the Red Bulls made an impressive playoff run defeating two time defending champions the Houston Dynamo 4-1 on aggregate. The next week they played Real Salt Lake in the Western Conference final at Rio Tinto Stadium in Utah. Dave van den bergh put the Red Bulls ahead in the 28th minute. The Red Bulls stubbornly defended for the rest of the game and though Real Salt Lake hit the post three times, they couldn't find the equalizing goal. This win put the Red Bulls into the 2008 MLS cup final in Los Angeles against MLS Supporters' Sheild winners, the Columbus Crew. Though controling the first half, the Red Bull lost 3-1, with their lone goal coming from veteren John Wolyniec in the 51st minute.

Club Rivalries

D.C. United (Known as DC Scum among many fans)

New England Revolution

Chicago Fire

Stars of the Current Squad

Juan Pablo Angel Jorge Rojas

Club Legends

Jozy Altidore (2006–2008) 
Branco (1997) 
Youri Djorkaeff (2005–2006) 
Roberto Donadoni (1996–1997) 
Amado Guevara (2003–2006) 
Tim Howard (1998–2003) 
Eduardo Hurtado (1998–1999) 
Alexi Lalas (1998) 
Clint Mathis (2000–2003, 2007) 
Lothar Matthäus (2000) 
Tony Meola (1996–1998, 2005–2006) 
Jaime Moreno (2003) 
Jeff Parke (2004–2008) 
Eddie Pope (2003–2004) 
Tab Ramos (1996–2002) 
Claudio Reyna (2007–2008) 
Giovanni Savarese (1996–1998) 

Most Appearances

Most Goals

Player Recognition & Awards

Team Honours

Club Management

Uniforms

Stadium

Sponsors

Important Links

www.metrofanatic.com

Supporter Groups

Empire Supporters Club Kearny Army Raging Bull Nation

References