okeedoke...
Getting to the game:
HELLO, PATH train! Took it from the World Trade Center stop (hadn't been down there in a month or two- great to see the actual tower framed up maybe 10 floors above street level)- trains left every 15 minutes for a 20 minute trip to Harrison.
Lots of Red/Star and Brazil shirts on the way- felt like going to see a game in Europe, except nobody was singing... so I guess not like traveling to see a game in Europe. But it was great to see all the fans heading out via public transportaion.
PATH stop was literally across the street from the stadium- a short walk and you're there. Awesome.
Downside- we got out there early and our train wasn't full, but the PATH stop heading out is not set up to handle crowds, one small stair case heading off of a small platform. Even with our uncrowded train, it was backed up pretty bad just trying to get off the platform and out of the station. This was something in the back of our minds about leaving the game later.
Stadium:
Looks really good from the outside- I particularly liked the fabric scrim that makes up the roof. Pretty bare-bones on the inside, but that's fine.
As soon as we climbed up to the concourse that wraps the stadium under the seats, you could tell there were problems. The concourse is fairly narrow, and they had concessions set up on either side of it directly opposite eachother. This led to lines forming perpindularly to the concessions stands and stretching across immediately blocking the concourse. Circulation nightmare all through the stadium. They'll figure out to organize the lines so that go parallel to the concourse, or it's going to be a problem every game.
That said- and I'm sure it comes across on TV- but inside the stadium proper that place is amazing. I haven't seen a game in a soccer specific stadium in... guh- no idea. Even most of the games I've seen in Europe were in bigger stadiums with tracks and whatnot. Every seat in here felt like you were right on the field... so cool. We were in the upper deck towards the corner (on the same endline as the Metro supporters), and it was still amazing. But next game, I'm trying to get on the lower tier so we're
really right on the field.
Game:
I was there with two GBs and their respective 9 yo kids, so I was a little distracted from just watching the game. But what I saw of the Bullstars looked like a big improvement from last year. They're still a little weak through the central MF, but much better disciplined in their shape. I was very impressed wtih the new rookie CB Tim Ream- nicely controlled with the ball at his feet and smart in the tackle and positioning. Can't believe they trotted Petke back out there, but wtf. Kandji and and forward mate (soulou?) worked really well off of each other with one guy showing and the other cutting. Both were fast and strong and willing to take guys on to go at goal. Maybe some poor decisions once they got the ball, but overall I liked what they did. Made me forget that Angel wasn't there- can't ask for more from a backup.
Teh Brazilians looked a bit slow- especially their #10 who, despite being amazing with the ball at feet, killed his team by getting beat by the REdbull's speed. Oh yeah- I was impressed with the speed of the Redbulls on both sides of the ball. Those forwards were routinely beating defenders to space and getting behind them.
Dane Richards

... I was tooting his horn last year- what a freaking goal.
Leaving:
With subs coming in en masse and the prospect of 25,000 people trying to squeeze up one little stai, we decided to leave after 65 minutes. Very easy, but it must've been a mess later.