Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of


CARSON, Calif. -- Although the pain of the loss in the MLS Cup Final is still fresh, New York Red Bulls sporting director Jeff Agoos has already put the club's miraculous playoff run in perspective.

"We've got a lot to be proud of," Agoos said. "Nobody outside this locker room gave this group a chance to get here and compete for a Cup. They really raised the bar and we're very proud of what they accomplished."

Agoos also liked what he saw from the Red Bulls on Sunday, especially in the opening 45 minutes.

"I actually thought the first half was one of the best halves we played this year," he said. "I thought they stretched Columbus and Columbus managed it well, but they really put Columbus under a lot of pressure."

Having been in both sides of MLS Cup locker rooms as a player, Agoos knows how difficult it is to deal with a devastating loss in the final.

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

NEWSMLS Cup recap
• Crew capture first MLS Cup
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• Schelotto named MLS Cup MVP
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• Lewis: Right team took Cup
• Davis: Tactics trumped by talent
• Wolyniec rewards Osorio's faith
• Red Bulls waste strong first half
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• Red Bulls can't dodge final dagger
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MLS Cup Sights & Sounds

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

Highlights: CLB 3, NY 1

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

ExtraTime: MLS Cup Final

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

Crew top Red Bulls, 3-1

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

Crew celebrate MLS Cup win

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

Crew locker room celebration

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

MLS Cup trophy ceremony

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

Schelotto postgame interview

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

Crew players react

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

Crew press conference

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

Red Bulls press conference

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

One-Touch spotlight: Angel

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

One-Touch spotlight: Schelotto

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

Hejduk's late clincher

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

Marshall's game-winner

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

Wolyniec's equalizer

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

Moreno puts Crew on top
Nov. 22 headlines
• Tactical surprises unlikely
• NY native Gaven still growing
• Sidelined Stammler supportive
Nov. 21 headlines
• Carroll is Crew's unsung hero
• Goldthwaite stabilizes Red Bulls
• Crew expect strong support
Nov. 20 headlines
• Backline is Crew's backbone
• Angel key to Red Bulls' success
• LA weather sweet as Crew train
SIGHTS & SOUNDS

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

State of the League Address

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

Extra Time: Red Bulls preview

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

Extra Time: Crew preview

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

Crew arrive in Los Angeles

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

Crew practice Thursday

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

Red Bulls talk Cup

Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of

Crew talk beards, MLS Cup

"It's never easy. It's never easy to lose, especially when you get this close," he said. "It's very painful and it stays with you for a long time. Hopefully it gives the team motivation to get back here and win it next year."

Boisterous Richards subdued: New York midfielder Dane Richards isn't shy about proclaiming what he thinks to the media.

Earlier in the playoffs, Richards said he was planning to run Houston left back Wade Barrett into the ground and that he had plans on being in southern California late in November even before the Red Bulls stepped onto the field against the two-time defending champion Dynamo.

Earlier this week, he talked about how his team had proved all of the doubters wrong and how he wanted to be celebrating on the field after winning on Sunday.

The Jamaican international was more circumspect after the game.

"I wanted to be on the field holding the Cup, obviously," Richards said. "Unfortunately, we scored one and they scored three. Congratulations to them. They played a good game."

There were regrets for Richards after he created the tying goal only to see Columbus restore its advantage 87 seconds later.

"If we had just kept that tie for five or seven minutes, maybe the result would have been different," Richards said. "We gave up a goal just a minute afterwards. That killed all of the momentum."

Light at the end of the tunnel: No one wants to lose in a championship game. For a New York team that wasn't expected to be here, there was a bit of a silver lining even after the final whistle crushed their championship dreams.

"I'm happy with our team's performance today," Red Bulls forward John Wolyniec said. "The game can be cruel sometimes."

There isn't much time to reflect after walking off the field, but Wolyniec thinks his team will look back fondly on the surprising run that brought them to Carson.

"We had a chance to do something special," Wolyniec said. "At the same time, when you look back, we put in a great effort the last few weeks. It's been a fun ride. You always have that disappointment about not being able to win a championship, but at the same time, there are a lot of good memories."

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