Happy birthday, America! Let’s play some footy! Welcome back to this edition of The Big Mick’s View from South Ward! There wasn’t a home game this week, so I got to enjoy Thursday’s Red Bulls action from the comfort of my own couch, without the danger of sunburn. Today’s beer of the match, by the way, is Victory HopDevil IPA, from Wisconsin.

Let’s turn our attention to some goings on around the MLS.

So, Carlos Bocanegra is returning home to Chivas USA after a decade away playing for the Rangers.

There are two things to note here. First, MLSE, the group that owns Toronto FC, had an opportunity to snag Bocanegra as he went through the allocation process to enter back into Major League Soccer. Apparently, with the announcement that Chivas’ prodigal son returning, they decided that it wasn’t in their best interests. That seems pretty astounding, since Toronto is sitting second to last in the Eastern Conference, and sitting tied with Chivas for second worst team in the league. Sure, they got a first round Super Draft pick, but that doesn’t help TFC now.

Secondly, Bocanegra’s return to Chivas could signal a philosophy change from the defense first approach that has gotten them so very far as of late. By the way, their next home game is against that very same TFC side.

As one door opens for the return of a major player, a different door closes on another player situation. On Wednesday, it was announced that RBNY and Juninho have reached a mutual decision to cancel the mid-fielder’s contract. It seems that the grey beard has decided to return to Brazil. Can’t say I’m surprised. It seemed that, as talented Juninho is, he just spent too much time resting his sore bones. I mean, in 13 appearances, he started 10 matches and recorded only 4 assists. Honestly, Juninho’s exit, and what he thinks of the 4-4-2 formation, is among the least of the Red Bulls problems at the moment.

Now, let’s get into RBNY’s tilt against the Colorado Rapids.

The Bulls have not had great success on games played on the Fourth of July. Out of the 11 matches they’ve played on America’s birthday, they have won exactly one single game. They have never won an Independence Day classic in Colorado.

The defense was slow and sloppy, the offense was rote. Thierry Henry missed several opportunities, which seems to be his habit through the last few games, including two juicy services from my favorite whipping boy, Eric Alexander. Fabian Espindola returned to being nearly invisible. Sure, they could use the excuse that the altitude affected their play, but others have won at Dick’s Sporting Goods Arena.

Honestly, this Red Bulls squad suffers from multiple personality disorder. One match, the team is hungry, focused, and difficult to play against. And then there is the team that showed up against the Rapids – soft in the middle, sloppy on defense, and slow on the attack.

This 2-0 loss to the Rapids sets up a must win scenario against the Montreal Impact a week from Saturday. If New York loses next weekend, the Impact will not only have those games in hand, but they will also own the tie breaker. Of course, this RBNY team seems to always make things interesting.

Nothing ever can be easy in Harrison, New Jersey, can it?

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