The New York Red Bulls asked a question on Twitter and didn't get the answer they wanted

The New York Red Bulls haven't played a competitive game of soccer since October 1, which is good for the players' need for a little time to rest up for the regular season run-in and the playoffs.

But while the players are out of sight, the club has to find ways to keep itself visible. In part for the simple reason that it employs people for that very purpose and they have the thankless task of showing up to work to do something whether there is any soccer being played or not.

RBNY's prolonged quiet time has seen off-the-pitch activities get more of the spotlight.

Receive signed @luisrobles1984 posters, gloves or tickets to #NYvCLB by giving to @TackleKidsCancr!

DONATE: https://t.co/elNUbjf8EK#RBNY pic.twitter.com/iwudTX9wVe

— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) October 13, 2016

The New York Red Bulls volunteered at Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter in East Hanover, N.J. to help homeless dogs and cats.#REDTogether#RBNY pic.twitter.com/BOw6x2PCyK

— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) October 12, 2016

.@chrisduvall91 and #RBNY supporters served food to the homeless youth at @CovenantHouseNJ​ as a part of the 11 Days of Service initiative. pic.twitter.com/rDGX4zsgJi

— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) October 13, 2016

Don't forget to bring donation items for Breast Cancer Awareness Month Sunday to #NYvCLB! @HorizonBCBSNJ#REDTogether#RBNY pic.twitter.com/dUoZvAMD2Z

— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) October 14, 2016

And we have been visited by a talking seat with a passion for ticket sales:

And buried in the club's various charitable and promotional works, the modern-day mainstay of digital marketing efforts: the Twitter poll.

POLL: Should Kljestan start against Mexico? #USAvMEX #USMNT#RBNY

— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) October 13, 2016

Of course, the danger of engaging with fans is that the wrong fans might choose to be engaged.

twitter.com/NewYorkRedBulls

Oops.

Can't win 'em all, RBNY. Just #AskNYCFC.

On a hot summer night, would you offer your throat to the wolf with the red roses? #AskNYCFC

— Shogun Of Newark (@timtheredmenace) July 17, 2016

#askNYCFC How do you feel about Harambe?

— Kyle (@KyleWHUFC) July 30, 2016

@NYCFC @OfficialVieira Would you consider liquidating? #AskNYCFC

— Markus (@TechnicalTore) September 11, 2016

The blue newbies' marketing department seems to be the victim of unintended consequences more often than most.

NYCFC's Frank Lampard expertly trolled by#RBNY fan https://t.co/sO13IfA8nW via @Metro_US

— Kristian Dyer (@KristianRDyer) October 11, 2016

About time, perhaps, that NYCFC fans got to entertain themselves at RBNY's expense.

For their part, those Red Bull employees charged with keeping the club's digital media channels active in sunshine or in rain appear to be taking the Friday-afternoon hijacking of a Twitter poll with exactly the level of concern it deserves.

how important are polls

— Andrew Vazzano ⚽️ (@AVRBNY) October 14, 2016