Major League Soccer, barring a collapse at the labor agreement negotiating table in the next few weeks, will play it's fifteenth season in 2010.
Though that history, eight different clubs have taken home the MLS Cup trophy (in its various forms). An MLS team has captured the US Open Cup in every year but one. In total, eleven different organizations have trophies to their names. Of the clubs that haven't won anything at all, only two are league originals with a history of failure going all the way back to 1996.
Of those two clubs, one needed thirteen years and a miracle playoff run to get to their first final, which they then naturally lost. No trophies, no success, and the butt of so many jokes that even the club's own fans can't help but poke fun on occasion.
It couldn't have been easy to be a MetroStars-Red Bulls die hard. Good thing, then, that New York fans are now the luckiest in the league.
By virtue of their market, New York will always be one of the most prominent American soccer clubs. It doesn't matter that the club has never won anything; in a league as young as MLS, it's more the international reputation of the city rather than actual play on the field or trophies in the display case. And well, New York is a draw for the likes of Thierry Henry, Raul, Ze Roberto, and Maldini the way Kansas City, Columbus, Dallas, and even Washington simply are not.
So it shouldn't surprise us that New York has been linked to all of those names in recent weeks. Add to the New York aura the brand new, and by all accounts world class, facility the Red Bulls are set to christen this season, and Red Bull fans should be riding a wave of euphoria unlike anything they've experienced before. Only the glory of a title could push the wave higher, and as with any MLS season, New York has as good a chance as anyone to bring the Cup home in 2010.
For now, at least until results on the field come in an potentially ruin the high, Red Bull fans are the luckiest in the league. No one else can boast a facility like Red Bull Arena. No one else can boast being connected to names like Henry, Raul, and Ze Roberto. While their history is terrible, their branding distasteful (to some) and their match-attending fan base lacking over recent seasons, the future is honestly and truly bright for New York Red Bull fans.
Not that any of their rivals will care. Adding the Union to the mix of New York-directed hatred that emanates from United and Revolution fans should make 2010 a notable one for New York.
Don't worry though, Red Bull fans. Not only do we already know that you thrive on the abuse, but you've got a sparkling new stadium to go to and world renowned footballers linked to your club every day. There's much to be happy about.
Fourteen years and no trophies, and you're still the luckiest fans in the league.
