5 Questions with the RBNY Fanbase: Garry Redman

The Illuminati. The Priory of Sion. The Deep State. The Libertarian Party. There are many strange and secretive organizations but none so mysterious as the “New York Red Bulls Discussion Group” on Facebook.

Though his true identity is shrouded in mystery, the leader of this cabal of soccer fanatics for a New York team based in New Jersey goes by the name “Garry Redman.” We made contact with Mr. Redman on May 22, 2018 and he agreed to meet with us in secret.

After being blindfolded and driven around for countless hours, we arrived at the Quik Chek in Clark, NJ for a clandestine conversation with the leader of this strange cabal:

OaM: How did you first find out about the Red Bulls/MetroStars? And, perhaps more importantly: What kept you supporting them through all these years?

Garry R.: Back in 1995, when word that MLS was granting a franchise in the NY/NJ area, me and about 30 friends decided to make the leap to check out the new team in a new league. The excitement back then was at an all-time high. After many years of supporting teams from afar, we now have a local team we can support in our back yard. What’s kept me supporting them was the same reason I stubbornly support the Knicks, Rangers, Yankees and Giants. Loyalty. Been rewarded with championship seasons with three of the five, waiting on the Knicks and MetroStars/Red Bulls. It’s worth noting that I’m the only one from the original group of 30 that is still supporting the team.

OaM: What’s the most memorable RBNY/MetroStars moment you got to see in-person?

Garry R.: There’s two. Traveling to DC to finally beat the curse of being eliminated by Da Scum once and for all. We lost the game, but advanced by a 3-2 aggregate. Ending their season was the icing on the cake, and it remains one of the all-time best road trips ever for me. The second, winning our first major trophy in 2013, the Supporters Shield. I presented the game ball before the match. To this day, it remains my best home game as a supporter. Felt that I came full circle since I supported the team back in 1995.

OaM: Who is your favorite Red Bulls player of all-time?

Garry R.: That’s a real toss up, there are a lot of players that fit that mold. But right now, I’d say it’s Mike Petke. Mainly because he was a living, breathing embodiment of what this team is all about. Hard-charging, gutsy, always taking on our opponents - even with the odds squarely stacked against us, all of that. He’s still remembered fondly for a reason. Say all you want about his coaching, but he was the guy that got it all started.

OaM: Now onto the more current stuff: The Red Bulls are on a four-game winning streak and are now beginning to get recognition from the rest of the league. How do they keep that momentum against the Philadelphia Union and avoid another home trap game a la the Chicago Fire?

Garry R.: They just have to keep doing what they have been doing, beating the teams in front of them. It’s like I’ve always have said, “Good teams win at home, great teams win, period.” Simple as that. Look, don’t get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE what they are doing thus far, and as you know we’ve pretty much expected this with the crew they have assembled. But, as long as they keep playing like the championship contenders they are, the more attention they are going to draw, not just from the league, but even more importantly, the entire metro area.

OaM: Finally, and perhaps most important of all: Do you think Ignacio Pussetto will be a Red Bull?

Garry R.: That’s really up to two people: Ignacio and Denis. Denis has to keep pushing that he will be a good fit for this club, and Ignacio has to be convinced that this is the best move for him. Should we sign him, I personally think he’s the “home run hitter” that this team needs to move from championship contender, to champions of MLS.

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Many thanks to Garry for taking the time to answer our questions.

And if you would like to be the subject of our next interview with members of the RBNY fanbase, let us know in the comments below.