For New York Red Bulls, Patience is a Virtue

AP Photo/David Banks

Designated Players can bring a lot of short-term things to the franchises that sign them.

There are the headlines, the extra revenue generated from an increase in tickets and merchandise, and the experience from years of playing the sport in the world’s top league with the top teams and teammates.

The New York Red Bulls are learning that what they won’t necessarily bring, right away at least, is wins.

Since July 15, the Red Bulls have signed former Barcelona stars Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez to go along with their first Designated Player, Juan Pablo Angel.

In the four league games Henry has played in, the team has gone 1-1-2 and has been shut out twice, scoring a total of only three goals—two against the Houston Dynamo in a game that they blew a 2-1 lead in the final minutes of the match.

In the two games Marquez has played, the team has not scored or won.

It’s not an encouraging sign for a team that many are jumping on the bandwagon as serious MLS Cup contenders.

However, it is not time yet for the long-suffering New York fans to go into a panic.

Henry and Marquez are just beginning to get their feet wet in MLS. They are transitioning to a new team, a new league, and a new city to live in. For the two stars it is simply an adjustment period.

Will the Red Bulls win the MLS Cup?
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Submit Vote vote to see results Henry has already showed what he is capable of. He assisted on all three goals the team has scored in his four matches. He is linking up with Angel extremely well, and he himself is attacking the goal strong but is just unlucky in the finishing department.

Marquez, a defensive-minded player, has been a major part in why the Red Bulls have only given up one goal in his two games. He helped anchor the defense hold the Chicago Fire, with Designated Players Freddie Ljungberg and Nery Castillo, scoreless, and surrendered only one goal against the Los Angeles Galaxy, the league’s top team and second-highest scoring team.

While the Red Bulls cannot afford to let up, they are in a good position with the tiniest bit of leeway, enough to win some points and let their superstars get comfortable.

What the fans need is patience.

Had this been last year, who knows what former coach Juan Carlos Osorio would have done. The never-happy constant-tinkering could have delayed the progress of the team gelling and the players getting comfortable.

But Hans Backe is different. He generally keeps the lineup and formation consistent, and he rides the hot hand. Backe knows the stars the team has acquired and fully understands there is necessary adjustment time. And he will give them that time.

A franchise long infamous for bad luck and silly decisions finally has some hope. There is the second place standing after last season’s debacle, the new stadium, and the commitment to winning bringing in an additional two Designated Players. There is plenty for Red Bull fans to be optimistic about.

Rough patches happen. Some fans may be thinking, “Same old Red Bulls.” But there is plenty of reason to keep hope.

Henry and Marquez will get it together sooner rather than later, and the team will certainly be a dominant force when it does happen.

MLS Loses Icon as Clint Mathis Retires

Clint Mathis, one of the memorable and beloved soccer players of his generation retired after starting Saturday’s Los Angeles Galaxy-Real Madrid exhibition match.

A career that spanned 13 professional seasons, Mathis was successful at the college, club, country, and international club levels. He had a nose for goal and carried along an iconic personality.

Mathis was a star for four years at the University of South Carolina. He scored 53 goals and added 15 assists in 58 total games, was a two-time All-American, set the school record as a sophomore with 25 goals in one season, and led the team to the NCAA tournament all four years.

His goal scoring prowess really progressed in Mathis’ time with Major League Soccer.

After being a first round draft pick of the Los Angeles Galaxy in 1998, Mathis finished his rookie season with five goals and 10 assists, establishing himself as a rising talent.

In 2000 he was traded to MetroStars where he quickly solidified his presence as one of the best playmakers America had produced.

The MetroStars had a dismal 1999 season but were instantly uplifted with Mathis’ arrival. He scored 13 goals and 13 assists in 21 games with the team that season, including an MLS-record five goals in one game against the Dallas Burn, en route to leading the team to the MLS Cup semi-finals.

The following season he won the MLS Goal of the Year (which would later be nominated for Goal of the Decade) for his incredible 60-yard run through defenders and bottom corner finish.



While Mathis was a member of the team through 2003, because of injury, national team duties, and transfers overseas and within MLS, Mathis would not make a significant return to the MetroStars, now renamed the Red Bulls, until 2007. His last goal with the club came in a thrilling 5-4 win over the David Beckham-led Galaxy in front of 80,000 fans at Giants Stadium. It also happened to break the franchise-record for goals scored in all competitions, at 45 (Juan Pablo Angel later broke Mathis’ record).

Mathis would finally win an MLS Cup championship with Real Salt Lake in 2009. His role was heavily reduced with the team, appearing as a substitute, but would play a key role in winning the championship match. With the score tied 1-1 after overtime, Mathis was selected to take the first penalty kick in the shootout and converted.

In 11 MLS seasons Mathis scored 67 total MLS-competition goals with the Galaxy, Red Bulls/MetroStars, Real Salt Lake, and Colorado Rapids.

He also made an impact overseas, acting as a goal scoring threat with Hanover 96 in the German Bundesliga and for Ergotolis in Greece. Mathis scored in his debut for both clubs and he scored four goals in his first five games with Hanover.

Mathis’ biggest goal of his career came in the 2002 World Cup. Representing the U.S., Mathis started the second game of the group stage against host-nation South Korea and scored after collecting a ball from the air and slotting it into the bottom corner, to give the United States a 1-0 lead and eventually a 1-1 draw.

Mathis’ goal scoring abilities absolutely captured the attention and imagination of soccer fans in the States, but it wasn’t the only thing about him. Mathis had quite a bit of personality to him that really made him remarkable.

In fact, it was a second personality that endeared him to fans.

Mathis adopted an on-field personality known as Cletus. Cletus was brash, was honest, and had flair. He would help Clint celebrate his success, but also would cause him to make some poor decisions. But all in all, they made Clint recognizable.

He was the cover story for Sports Illustrated's 2002 World Cup preview issue.

After Mathis scored his first goal with the MetroStars, he lifted his jersey to reveal an “I Love New York” t-shirt, expressing his dissatisfaction that the Galaxy got rid of him as well as making New York his new home and earning credit with the home fans.



Not only did Clint score in the 2002 World Cup, but he also sported a Mohawk that scored him instant recognition.

As for Cletus’ bad influence, he reared his ugly head while Clint was with Hanover.

In his second season with the German club, there was a coaching change and the new manager kept Mathis on the bench. One game, Mathis was used as a substitute in the last few minutes of the game yet almost immediately scored the game-winning goal. As for his celebration, Mathis ran to the sidelines in front of his bench and tapped his wrist, referring to a watch, how late Mathis entered the game, and what he could have done with more time.

Mathis started the next game, but never played for the team again afterwards.

All things considered, Clint or Cletus, goals or benchings, Mathis was a special individual. He had talent galore and was an entertaining character.

MLS and American soccer in general will miss a man that made such an impact on the game and an impression on its loyal fans.



Photo Credits.
Top: AP Photo/Yonhap, Jin Sung-chul
Left: AP Photo/Bill Kostroun
Right: AP Photo/Christof Stache

New England Patriots Training Camp Questions

With the start of training camp comes the start of a new NFL season. It’s a bit cliché, but every team starts 0-0 and with optimism that they could pull everything together and win the Super Bowl.

Some teams can be more optimistic than others. The New England Patriots are one of them. The Patriots have the talent and organization to be set up to win now.

That said, they are far from a perfect squad. The team is undergoing a youth movement on the defensive side of the ball, have some early injury concerns, and still have some off-field business matters to take care of.

Here are some of the Patriots’ biggest questions that need to be answered for the team to have a successful season.

Who will start at cornerback opposite Leigh Bodden?



Leigh Bodden’s five interception season earned him a new contract with the Patriots, but who will the team partner with him?

The two leading candidates are second-year corner Darius Butler and first-round draft pick Devin McCourty.

Butler played in 14 games last season, registering 33 tackles and three interceptions, including returning one for a touchdown.

McCourty is extremely versatile and could play a big role on special teams as well as on defense.

Early expectations had the team bringing on McCourty slowly, but he has been taking a lot of reps with the first-team defense alongside Bodden, before Bodden was taken out because of injury.

With Bodden temporarily sidelined, McCourty and Butler will both start in the team’s first exhibition game, and will battle each other the entire preseason for the right to start.

One would think because of the way the Patriots handle their players that Butler has the edge because of his experience in the team’s system, but McCourty looks to be on the fast-track to playing time.

Both prospects have bright futures, and the competition will make them that much better. But right now, only one will get the nod to start.

Vince Wilfork got his money. Will he live up to his new contract?

Players in the last year of their contract typically play strongly, working to ensure a big payday in the offseason. The problem is that once they do get that new contract they aren’t as motivated and see a sharp decline in stats.



The perfect example is the previous big-name defensive tackle free agent before Wilfork: Albert Haynesworth.

In 2008, Haynesworth put up career-highs in games started (14), total tackles (41), sacks (8.5), and forced fumbles (3). He signed a contract with the Washington Redskins worth $100 million with $41 million guaranteed.

He then proceeded to go down in all those categories, starting only 12 games, registering 29 total tackles, eight sacks, and forcing zero fumbles.

This year he has had trouble even passing a conditioning test.

Wilfork did not have a career year in 2009. Still he was too important to the Patriots team and defense to let go, and he got his new contract. It wasn’t Haynesworth money, but it was certainly not table scraps.

The Patriots organization and coaching staff has done a good job bringing in quality players, both with football talent and locker room character, and Wilfork has been a vital part with strong winning teams, so it’s unlikely that he become complacent now that he has his money.

How will extra responsibility affect Bill Belichick?

The Patriots will enter the season without an offensive and defensive coordinator. Belichick will be the primary play-caller for both sides of the ball.

Belichick was already heavily involved with the defense, as that was his specialty coming into the league, but now he assumes more responsibility.



Belichick’s play calling on offense was heavily scrutinized when instead of punting on fourth down on their own 28-yard line with a six point lead and two minutes remaining against the Colts, they went for it. They failed to convert and gave the ball back to Indianapolis and Peyton Manning with plenty of time and little field left to win the game.

Considered one of, if not the best coach in the league, is Belichick taking on too much? Is his control of the team reaching too far?

When will Wes Welker be ready to play?

Welker tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the regular season finale against Houston and was expected to miss at least the first half of the season. He was placed on the physically unable to perform list, but showed up at camp.



Then he was removed from the PUP, and once removed a player cannot be put back on the list. This lead to speculation that Welker could be ready sooner than expected.

Welker has said he even hopes to be ready for Week 1 against the Bengals. He has not missed a day of camp and participated in full-contact drills.

Still, for a player that relies heavily on his route running and cutting, one has to wonder how affective Welker will be and when he will be at full strength, physically and mentally.

What does the future hold for Tom Brady?

Tom Brady’s contract situation has been the biggest story of the Patriots’ offseason.

The franchise quarterback is in the final year of his contract and the future isn’t so clear.

While he is the face of the team, the two sides have not been able to agree on an extension. Currently he is scheduled to make $6.5 million this season, well-below the price-tag of other elite quarterbacks. The biggest factor in extending Brady’s deal is the uncertainty of labor negotiations for next season and what contract stipulations and changes could come from a new collective bargaining agreement.

Another factor, although not nearly as pressing as the labor issues, is that Peyton Manning and Drew Brees’ deals are also set to expire and the New England brass could be waiting to see what the market price for the top-three quarterbacks in the league will be.

Still, Brady, most likely, isn’t going anywhere.

Owner Robert Kraft has said, “He’s going to be here.”

Brady himself has expressed that he wants to continue playing for a long time and that it’s every player’s desire to retire with the team that drafted the individual.

And if no extension is agreed on?

Brady is too much of a professional to allow it to become a distraction. He has yet to voice his displeasure. Also, players are known to have career years at the end of their deals, attempting to cash in on a strong campaign.

Photo Credits.
Tom Brady: AP Photo/Steven Senne
Devin McCourty: AP Photo/Elise Amendola
Vince Wilfork: AP Photo/Stew Milne
Bill Belichick: AP Photo/Steven Senne
Wes Welker: AP Photo/Stew Milne

Public Enemy Number One Heads to New York

AP Photo/Martin Meissner

Recently on its website, Sports Illustrated published a list of the most hated teams in sports history.

It was all the teams you loved to hate. Whether it be lots of money, dirty play, or just lots of attitude, the team was despised.

One more thing that especially got most of the teams vilified was that they won championships.

To American soccer fans, Rafael Marquez is a villain. To the New York Red Bulls, he may just be the bad guy that gives them a winning edge.

Think back to the NBA in the late 1980s and throughout the '90s. Dennis Rodman was mean. He was pierced all over, had tattoos all over, and dyed his hair crazy colors. He wore wedding dresses. He kicked cameramen.

He also, however, led the league in rebounding seven consecutive seasons and was named defensive player of the year twice.

Most importantly, he played a key role in three championship teams with the Chicago Bulls and two with the Detroit Pistons (a team infamous for its "Bad Boys" moniker).

Marquez has an awful reputation with soccer fans in the United States.

He is the captain of the Mexican National Team, the United States' arch rival. In the two teams' match up in the 2002 World Cup he was red carded for purposely head butting Cobi Jones. There was also the World Cup qualifier in 2009 where he kicked goalkeeper (and fan favorite) Tim Howard.

It’s all enough to earn him status as public enemy number one in the states.

However, he has captained three Mexican World Cup teams, all of which made it to at least the knockout round. He was a French Ligue 1 Best Defender and named Best North American player in 2005.

He's won the Ligue 1 championship once with Monaco, La Liga four times and the UEFA Champions League twice with Barcelona, and the FIFA Confederations Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup with Mexico.

He's tough, he's skilled, and he's a winner.

Marquez will play central midfield for the Red Bulls. His possession and passing ability will link the defense to the offense, creating more scoring chances.

He will be the enforcer if anyone tries to rough up high-priced forward Thierry Henry.

He will bring some of the 79,156 fans that crammed New Meadowlands Stadium to watch Mexico face Ecuador to Red Bull Arena.

He could also get a few red cards and encourage some animosity from outsiders to himself and the organization.

But no one in New York will care as long as this villain helps to finally deliver a championship.

Shore Conference Represented in the Big Leagues

AP Photo/Winslow Townson

It was “Shore Conference Baseball Night” at the Boston Red Sox’ home game against the Detroit Tigers Saturday afternoon.

Maybe no one at Fenway knew, but those in Monmouth and Ocean Counties watching the nationally televised game did. Two of the area’s former high school standouts were recently promoted to the big leagues and made a big splash.

Jeff Frazier, from Toms River South, playing for Detroit and Ryan Kalish, from Red Bank Catholic, playing for Boston both got their first big-league hits and surprisingly played big roles in the game.

Frazier, 27, was called up before Friday’s matchup and started both games as the team’s designated hitter. He was promoted from Triple-A Toledo where he was hitting .273 with 23 home runs, 68 RBI, and 68 runs scored in 104 games.

After going 0-3 with a walk and a run scored in his Major League debut, Frazier—batting seventh in the lineup—went 2-4 with a double and two runs scored.

“He's made significant progress as far as making himself a big-league hitter. He was a high draft choice in the past, and he's continued to improve in the last couple years, so we think he's a guy that can come up and give us a little bit of help offensively,” team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said on the team's website.

Kalish, 22, was called up earlier in the day and got to the park only shortly before the game started. Playing with both Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket, Kalish had a .294 batting average, 13 home runs, 47 RBI, and 25 stolen bases.

Manager Terry Francona slotted Kalish in the eighth spot in the batting order and played him in front of the famous Green Monster in left field.

Down 4-0, Kalish jump started the Red Sox rally singling in Adrian Beltre in the seventh inning. Kalish also finished the day 2-4, adding a run and an RBI.

The Red Sox are usually active at the trade deadline but were quiet this year, partly because of Kalish.

“We decided rather than putting someone like a Ryan Kalish in a deal that we would regret some day, with the way his development is going, he's ready for a trial here at the Major League level,” Epstein told reporters. “He brings a lot of energy, brings an advanced approach to the plate, brings a solid all-around game. Those are things that we could use right now.”

He hit well, but playing in Boston Kalish must need to learn how to play balls hit off the Green Monster. Frazier laced a ball off the wall to lead off the fourth inning that Kalish misplayed and allowed Frazier to slide into second without much of a challenge. Kalish said he intends to get to work to learn the position immediately.

For how long either stays in the big leagues for now is unsure, especially Kalish in Boston, where players like Jacoby Ellsbury will be coming off the disabled list.

What is for sure is that both players are highly regarded in their organizations and made their case that they belong at the highest level of the game.

Strike Force

On Wednesday, the city of Houston played host to the Major League Soccer All-Stars.

Tonight, the Houston Dynamo will host the biggest star in the MLS today, who was ineligible for the “showcase” against Manchester United days earlier. Thierry Henry, the French International, will make his New York Red Bulls and MLS regular season debut.

On the heels of a World Cup that received a lot of attention, Henry has attracted a lot of focus to the Red Bulls and the league. Much like David Beckham in 2007, the high-profile star Henry will bring in a lot of money from jersey sales and extra fans to the games. He’ll also make a big difference on the field.

Henry played in two Red Bulls exhibition matches last week against English Premier League sides Tottenham and Manchester City and he impressed. He scored in the 25th minute of his debut against Tottenham and in both matches showed creativity and a great vision with dangerous passes that sprung forth a strong attack.

In both those games Henry only played the first 45 minutes. Against Houston however he will see increased time.

But what makes his MLS debut more special is that it will be the first pairing of him and New York captain Juan Pablo Angel.

Angel, another Designated Player with EPL experience, is the Red Bull’s all-time career goals leader (even though he has only played in three and a half seasons with the club). He is a quality finisher who the team has heavily depended on.

However they have yet to find a strike-partner for him. The team has paired him with ten different players—Jozy Altidore, John Wolyniec, Salou Ibrahim, Macoumba Kandji, Dominic Oduro, Dane Richards, Francis Doe, Oscar Echeverry, Mike Magee, and Clint Mathis—before landing Henry.

The pairing could easily be the most potent in all of MLS. Henry played on the wing for much of the beginning of his career which has helped him become a great passer and crosser.



They are both dangerous scorers so defenses will not be able to key on one and double him. They will have to respect both forwards which should create more space than either is used to as well as open the field for their teammates, especially the wings like Richards, Jeremy Hall, and Danleigh Borman, who all have good speed.

Henry also has good pace and is able to get behind the defense. All of those skills should help the two players find each other and wreck havoc on their opposition. The opponent in their first game together could help expedite the process.

Houston—in seventh place in the eight-team Western Conference— has given up 25 goals, tied for most in the Western Conference, and will be further weakened.

Veteran goalkeeper Pat Onstad missed practice on Thursday and is not expected to start. Central defender Bobby Boswell will also miss the game due to a suspension he must serve for receiving a red card in the Dynamo’s previous game against Columbus.

If Henry and Angel can capitalize on the opportunity of playing together and against a vulnerable defense then the team can gain some much needed momentum as they head into the end of the season pushing for a playoff spot.

Not only will a successful Henry-Angel tandem generate plenty of buzz for the league and the team off the field, but it may also finally bring home a trophy.

What once was a dream—not only landing Henry but also winning the championship—becomes, at least partly, a reality tonight.

Photo Credits.
Thierry Henry: AP Photo/Mel Evans
Juan Pablo Angel: AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

New England Patriots Training Camp Preview: Running Back Depth

AP Photo/Steven Senne

Throughout the New England Patriots’ dynasty that encompassed the first ten years of the new millennium, one thing that was never stable was the running back situation.
The team got production from the position, whether it be Antowain Smith, Corey Dillon, or Kevin Faulk. However it was also the most inconsistent position. There was a rotating door of running backs due to spotty performances and an unbelievable amount of injuries.

Between the uneven play of the running backs and the star-studded quarterback the team has, the Patriots have evolved into a very pass-happy team, but the fans and coaches would like to add a little more balance to the attack.

Coming into the new decade, the team has found no complete answer. Players have shown flashes of brilliance, but then wound up benched because of turnovers or injuries. Who will the Patriots be able to depend on in 2010, an extremely pivotal season for the franchise?

Here is a look at the running backs on the roster.

Laurence Maroney

Maroney is arguably the most perplexing player on the Patriots roster. Drafted number 21 overall in 2006, he was the first running back New England selected in the first round since Robert Edwards was taken number 18 out of Georgia in 1998.

He has not lived up to expectations.

He has yet to reach 1,000 yards in a season or play all 16 games in a season. He turns the ball over at critical moments in the game and at critical spots on the field. Not to mention three Pro Bowl running backs—DeAngelo Williams, Joseph Addai, and Maurice Jones-Drew—were selected after him (four if you count Leon Washington who made the Pro Bowl as a kick returner).

Still, he flashes moments of brilliance that makes Pats fans think he may be able to turn this thing around yet. Just last year there were the two touchdown games against the Jets and the Saints, the 123-yard and one touchdown performance against Tennessee, and the 94-yards he put up against Carolina (three of those games were Patriot wins).

In the last year of his original rookie contract Maroney will be looking to play for a new contract as well.

At 25, Maroney is still young. The Patriots keep giving him chances, and he will likely start the season as the starting back. Can he overcome injuries and terribly inconsistent play? One has to wonder how much more patient the Pats and the team’s fans will be with him.

Fred Taylor

Taylor has had a long, successful career. The Pro Bowler was productive in his first year with the Patriots.

In six games he played in Taylor scored four rushing touchdowns and lead the team in rushing three times.

The problem is that he played in only six games. Taylor has a history of injury issues, especially lately, and the 34-year-old is in the twilight of his career.

He still has talent and can contribute on the field as well as being a good player to have in the locker room, but the Patriots cannot rely on him to be the number one featured back. One has to wonder how much Taylor has left in the tank.

Kevin Faulk

Faulk is New England’s do-it-all running back. He rushes the ball, catches passes out of the backfield, and occasionally returns kicks and punts. He’s never rushed for more than 640 yards in a season throughout his entire 11-year career with the New England Patriots, however he is the epitome of a team player and is vital to the franchise’s success.

Faulk is also surprisingly durable. Although he is 34-years-old, he has played in at least 15 games in each of the past four years and eight out of his 11 seasons overall.

Faulk resigned with the Pats this offseason and while he won’t be the featured back he is someone the team, especially Tom Brady, depends on.

Sammy Morris

Morris lead the Patriots in rushing yards (727) and rushing touchdowns (7) in 2008, and he spearheaded the most potent Patriots rushing attack in 20 years.

When he first came to the Patriots as a free agent in 2007, a cast-off of divisional rivals Buffalo and Miami, Morris was a solid backup running back that made a good contribution on special teams. However when those ahead of him fell due to injury Morris capitalized on the opportunities. He is in good favor with Patriot coaches and front office members.

Morris’ downfall is his inability to stay healthy. He hasn’t played all 16-regular season games since 2005 and has only done so three times in his ten year career.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis

An undrafted free agent signing the “Law Firm” has been an impressive signing for New England. He’s low on the totem pole, but because of constant injuries at the position Green-Ellis gets opportunities and he makes the most of them.

In 2008 when Maroney went on injured reserve, Green-Ellis was named the starter and really took over. He rushed for a total of 275 yards, compiled 3.7 yards per rush, and scored five touchdowns.

He won’t move in front of a healthy Maroney, Taylor, Faulk, and Morris but he has showed he has value and depth at this position on this team has proved absolutely necessary.

Chris Taylor

Green-Ellis’ running mate while at Indiana, Taylor hasn’t made much of a dent in the NFL. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2006 by Houston but has played a grand total of seven games and missed two entire seasons, including 2009—his first with New England.

It’s a mystery what he could provide and how he could climb the depth chart. Yet they re-signed him and kept him around after last season so there’s got to be something the organization sees in him.

Thomas Clayton

A burly running back at 5’11”, Clayton spent all of 2007 and all but two weeks in 2008 on San Francisco’s practice squad, then spent 2009 on injured reserve. He will battle Taylor for a spot on the team, but his outlook isn’t so rosy as of now.

Eric Kettani

The Navy graduate was placed on military reserve last season and will most likely not be a contributor in the upcoming season either.