The Opening Event

June 30, 2008

Photgraphs by Miho Suzuki

Change is Good?

June 12, 2008

by Liam Johnston

Chelsea Football Club has secured Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari—manager of the Portugal squad that won Group A in Euro 2008 despite losing to hosts Switzerland 2-0—to take over as Chelsea’s manager post Jose Mourinho. Okay, technically, Scolari is joining the club after the sacking of the more torpid Avram Grant. But Grant’s appointment was always intended as a stop-gap. Chelsea’s billionaire owner, Russian Oligarch, and nouveau riche art collector Roman Abramovich is attempting to match Mourinho’s charisma, charm, and celebrity—he dubbed himself “the special one”—by the appointment of Scolari. Ironically, Scolari’s style of football is notably a practical one, as was Mourinho’s. Yet, Mourinho was hounded by Abramovich to provide—and eventually run out for not—“a more stylish brand of football.” This, and rumors circulating as late as last week that Mourinho was on the short list for possible replacements for Mourinho, suggests that Abromovich understands his mistake of letting Mourinho go. Now, Mourinho is the manager of Inter Milan, some key Chelsea stars may follow, and other quality players will surely come and go, but nothing much will change in terms of Chelsea’s successful—albeit cautious—style of football. Similarly, Scolari will continue Mourinho’s tradition of off-pitch entertainment and controversy, and even if Scolari’s style in this regard is “nasty, brutish, and short,” he will continue Mourinho’s success at chipping away the ABC (Anyone But Chelsea) wishes of many English Premier League fans. The Moral of this story: “Change is good?”

The Fighter Versus The Special One

Wenger Welcomes Scolari Challenge

Luiz Felipe Scolari: In His Own Words

Scolari Takes Pride in Chelsea’s Workmanlike Victory

Scolari Sacked As Chelsea Manager

FREE BEER!!!! FOOSBALL!!! Did we mention FREE BEER?!?!?

June 10, 2008

June 10th 7pm

@ the austrian Cultural Forum, 11 East 52nd Street, New York, NY

Chris Leitch and Luke Sassano from the Red Bulls are going to be there!

To celebrate Austria’s role as co-host of Euro 2008 soccer championship, the Austrian Cultural Forum NYC has commissioned an art exhibition, “Bread and Soccer: in the arena of art,” as well as a series of public programs, including soccer film screenings and foosball tournaments featuring team players from the New York Red Bulls.

I am seeking soccer fans and foosball fans to participate in a series of free foosball tournaments. Anyone is welcome to participate, and finalists - the strong, the brave - will have the exciting opportunity to play against professional soccer players from the New York Red Bulls. Red Bull First Team players Chris Leitch and Luke Sassano will appear at the June 11 tournament

tournament rules

June 9, 2008

Tournament Structure

A total of 24 players can sign up to play.

All of the players will be split up into 2 groups…each group will be assigned a foosball table.

Each group will be broken down into 6 teams, with 2 players on each team.

You can choose your own team and group.

Each team will play 5 matches - 1 match against each of the other teams in their group.

Teams compete to score the most points (goals) over the course of 3 matches.

Teams with the highest point totals after playing their 3 matches will play a championship match against players from the NY Red Bulls professional soccer team and receive prizes.

In the case of a tie at a table at the end of the 6 matches, a sudden-death game to 1 point will be played to break the tie.

Scoring Rules

There is a ten-minute time limit to each match. If time runs out before either team achieves 10 goals then the teams receive whatever their current scores to their point total.

If a team reaches ten points before ten minutes runs out, then they win that match and receive 10 points. The opponent team receives whatever points equal to the number of goals they scored during the match.

For example: If a game runs out at ten-minutes with a score of 7 to 4. One team adds 7 points to their total score and the other adds 4 points to their total score.

If a team wins a match 10 to 5 before the end of 10-minutes then they receive 10 points to their point total and their opponents receive 5 points to their total.

Scores will be recorded by tournament officials; their decision is final in the case of dispute.