Skip to main content

Off the Post and So Close - Closing Thoughts on 2015 Red Bulls Season


Off the post. Off the freakin post. 

That's really all I can muster up after the New York Red Bulls fall short yet again after a splendid season that included the second Supporters Shield. Despite digging ourselves in a huge hole in Columbus by giving up a goal in the first nine seconds of the first leg, another in the final seconds, and never being able to put up the all-important road goal, I didn't lose hope. Even until the very end. 

I guess that's why this loss hurts so much. 

After a season that began with town meetings and a fanbase thoroughly upset with the firing of Mike Petke (as was I) things did not look good. There was NYCFC entering hte market, and of course the big question of "how good are we WITHOUT Thierry Henry?" I will openly admit, I was wrong about Ali Curtis and Jesse Marsch. They had a vision, a philosophy, a style of play, and stood behind it. And as we now see, it worked. Big time.

This season was absolutely fun. Lots of goals. A great pace on the field. And of course, I loved the approach of going with youth over the high priced old imported players (looking at you NYCFC).


After being in the building, in box seats nonetheless, for the 2nd leg of the Eastern Conference semi-finals against DC United, I really thought this could be a special year. Possibly the year we hoist the MLS Cup for the first time ever. 


Instead, we played lousy in two legs against a strong Columbus team. Poor passing within the box and a ton of ill-advised turnovers were the absolute downfall. But here we are. Another heartbreaking conference final loss. 

And a loss only inches away from a possible different result. So close. So damn lose. Off the post. Off the freakin post. Ugh. 

But that's sports. And that's New York Red Bulls fandom. So it goes. That insane last minute wraps up my support of this club thus far. 

Regardless, I'll be back to ride with these Bulls again next year, once again wishing, that it'll finally be our year. 
Labels:

Recently Read

Dome Pondering Move Review: Say You Will (2017)

What is it about? A recent high school graduate cares for his mother while attempting to navigate his first relationship following his father's suicide.  Who is in it? Travis Tope - Sam Nimitz Katherine Hughes - Ellie Vaughn Favorite Scene: [spoiler alert] Sam plays his song for his mom. Favorite Quote: Ellie: "I wish we could have met down the road, maybe when we were like 27." Sam: "I think we needed each other now." Review:  Say You Will was an absolutely pleasant surprise of a watch from the Amazon Prime offerings.  I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this one, but after the credits rolled, it was a movie that provided authentic characters and a great lesson on life. We don't always have to have everything figured out, and it's okay if you don't.  What makes Say You Will so beautiful is that all of the characters are carrying some inner struggle that connects them in the moment and time that helps them through whatever it is. The unlike...
Read more

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Amateur (2018)

What is it about? The recruiting and exploitation of a teenage basketball phenom expose the immoral undercurrent world of amateur sports and business.  Who is in it?  Michael Rainey Jr. - Terron Forte Jr.  Brian White - Vince Josh Charles - Coach Gaines
Read more

TNA Slammiversary 2026: "A great show that felt like it could have been epic with the proper buildup."

TNA certainly came into Slammiversary 2026 carrying some public relations (or perception?) baggage which affected the excitement for this event. For me, Slammiversary has become one of those wrestling events on the calendar that moves the needle for me. This is especially the case after attending last year's historic event.   This year, the hype was not there. And ultimately, the overall creative process for the product for most of 2026 was well...plain. It wasn't terrible. But yeeaaaaaahhhhhhh, nothing felt overly exciting. The company had no major storyline driver. And thus, we saw the removal of Tommy Dreamer as head of creative at TNA after being with the company for almost ten years. Much of Slammiversary 2026 felt like it was pulled together two weeks out. And even heading into the show, with the added drama of Dreamer's release, TNA once again felt unstable.  Fortunately, what we got was a great show that feels like - again, there is that perception thing! - TNA is ...
Read more