NYRB: How Good Is Kenny Cooper?

The New York Red Bulls have Thierry Henry and we all know he's a dangerous attacking player with predatory instincts in front of goal, but how good has former Portland Timbers striker Kenny Cooper been this season? Answer: very good. He has nine goals to date, including his latest, a cool-as-you-like-it 78th minute winner against Philadelphia yesterday:



This win puts the Red Bulls in first place in the Eastern Conference. I am definitely looking forward to seeing how far the Red Bulls can go this year with players like Cooper taking some weight off of Henry's shoulders.

LINK TO GOAL (in the event video does not show up in FireFox)

Thierry Henry: Still Clinical

At age 34, New York Red Bull captain Thierry Henry is still as clinical of a finisher as he was ten years prior. We saw a rejuvenated Henry score a few big goals for Arsenal during a loan spell this winter, but I for one was not sure which Henry would turn up at the beginning of the MLS season: the hands in the air frustrated Henry or the barn-storming goal-scoring French man-machine. Here's what we got in NY's home opener:





Bald head slick is back and ready to rock in New York!

New Boys Who Netted...

Some January purchases have paid off instantly this year! Here are a few players who have netted with their new club right off the get go:

Thierry Henry Arsenal

Incredible from the Arsenal legend. A dream comeback! To bad his great start has not carried on throughout his spell thus far. 

Darren Gibson Everton

The former Manchester United man gave his former team a boast in the standings after his cracker at Goodison Park was enough to see off league-leaders Manchester City. Courtesy of an assist from our boy Landon Donovan! 

Djibril Cisse QPR

The enigmatic forward who left Lazio (good move dude) netted a brilliant goal and followed it up with his trademark gymnastic routine. Bravo, weirdo!

Alberto Gilardino Genoa

Gilardino does what he's best at when he first arrives at a club: scores a goal. Then it's all downhill from there with the worst kit number possible, 82. Good goal though!

Michele Pazienza Udinese
The Juventus loanee returned to Udinese with a bang last night, scoring off a Toto Di Natale set-piece. See the goal here.


Video Credits:
YouTube
footytube

Friday Must Sees

Hello mis amis,
This week I have viewed some things that you must see:

Incredible back-flip penalty


Lionel Messi's Facebook page: 
Nearly 7 million followers in a mere three days
http://www.facebook.com/LeoMessi

Barca fans wear creepy Mourinho masks to Shakhtar match
"It's like something out of an Aphex Twin video." Hilarious from Dirty Tackle

Brazilian prospect Neymar scores a great goal, gets sent off...
...for putting a mask of his own face on. Vanity?


Inter's Stankovic scores a stunning volley from 45 yards


Thierry Henry's Sky Special about life 
Aligned nicely by The Shin Guardian

Philippe Mexes confirms he will leave Roma after seven glorious years
And we mourn:
Mourning Rugantino
Mouring Rugantino Part II
Naturally, I bought a Mexes jersey at the beginning of the season.

The story of the floating village football team in Thailand

MLS Begins Tonight - My Pledge

The 16th MLS season kicks off tonight with the Seattle Sounders hosting the LA Galaxy. Surprisingly, Landon Donovan still had time to send me an email urging me to watch the game. That guy is amazing!

A new MLS season is upon us, Americanisti. My friend Landon Donovan and I would like you to pledge to watch tonight's game with a buddy. Pledge your time tonight and win an MLS t-shirt! That said, I would personally like to pledge more MLS viewing and blog posting. Usually I am intrigued by our league for a fleeting moment, then hone back in on European football. But this year, since I have faithful readers to keep me in check, I pledge to watch more MLS and post about the league regularly. Call me out if I'm not doing this, friends.

Now, here are a few reasons you should be excited about the new MLS Season:

Rival expansion teams have joined the league, creating derbies unknown to the MLS. The Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps, regional rivals amongst one another and the Seattle Sounders, will play their inaugural MLS seasons this year! I, for one, am pumped to see these Cascadia Cup participants do battle. For more rivalries, check out this link.

JP Dellacamera has left his post at ESPN. This double-edged sword announcement was welcome news for MLS viewers. The positive: Adrian Healy will take over for the blathering Dellacamera at ESPN. The negative: Dellacamera has moved to FSC. Burn!

Thierry Henry is "so New York" this season. He takes the train to the stadium, he trounces around the Village buying new threads, he eats at the trendiest spots...

Oh no, he's too New York!

USMNT legend Kasey Keller will hang up his gloves and boots at the end of the season. It will be emotional for all, especially me. "I love you Kasey," is what I repeatedly screamed in 2006 when I got to see Keller's Borussia Mönchengladbach square off against Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena. Even though he turned around a few times in fright, he knew my feelings were true. Lets all cheer for this hero and hope he goes out on top!

The MLS playoffs have been expanded, giving teams like the Kansas City Wizards (I mean Sporting Kansas City) a chance to vie for the cup. This hotly contested move by the league will allow for 10 out of the 18 MLS teams to be in the playoffs...simple mathematics tell us that's over half the league. Why can't the league winner be the team who tops the table? There could be cup playoffs on top of that, right? Get a clue MLS.

We could be in for some serious summer signings after the European season ends. Tremendous rumors including players like Nicolas Anelka and Miroslav Klose have emerged and could come to a head in places like New York and LA.

Enjoy the beginning of the season MLS fans! I'll be watching!