Sorry state of Red Bulls saddens Ammann

"Beware of the Lung."

So read a sign that hung from the wall of Giants Stadium upon Mike Ammann's return to the MetroStars during the Eastern Conference finals in 2000. Five weeks earlier, Ammann's storybook season (which included a trip to the MLS All-Star Game, where he started in goal for the East), had come crashing down at the heel of Tampa Bay forward Mamadou Diallo. Sliding for a loose ball, Ammann reached the ball first, but Diallo still made a challenge: His cleat came slamming down on the MetroStars' keeper.

All told, Ammann would suffer three broken ribs, a punctured lung and a concussion. He worked overtime for more than a month to rehab and get in shape to return for the second game of the conference finals, helping to inspire the MetroStars to a 2-0 win over Chicago. The MetroStars would eventually lose the series. It would take eight seasons for the franchise to match that success, as New York made its first-ever trip to the MLS Cup last year.

And now the man known originally as the "King of East Rutherford" is saddened by the state of the franchise in which he was once an icon. Ammann remains a fan favorite despite being traded in 2001. Currently, he is working in information technology for the ViOn Corporation in Washington, D.C. Carpal tunnel syndrome is now perhaps his greatest on-the-job worry. "It's a far cry from playing a sport you love, but at least now I don't have to worry about a jackass like Diallo kicking me in the ribs," Ammann said.

Despite being out of the league for several years, he still closely follows his old team in New York. In Ammann's mind, the state of the franchise has regressed, and that says something, considering that he was a member of the 1999 team that set a league record for all-time futility. The team was sold and re-branded, and Ammann sees a bear market for the now-New York Red Bulls.

"I'm embarrassed for them, and I feel sorry for the fans who pay money to go watch them play every game," Ammann said about the franchise. "The fans deserve better for sure. I thought our 1999 team was horrendous, but this is unreal: 10 points from 19 games? Are you kidding me?"

The fans are dwindling. Despite being in the largest market in MLS, the Red Bulls are nearly 4,000 behind the league's attendance average of around 15,495. Ammann isn't necessarily opposed to Red Bull's investment in the league, saying that new ownership and their infusion of cash is potentially a good thing. He specifically says that the team name -- the corporate moniker has been a rallying point for many fans since the re-branding -- isn't the major issue. When asked about the last-place team's struggles and the issues with drawing fans, he simply asks "Have you seen a game lately?"

"If someone wants to come in and throw millions of dollars to own a team, then they have every right to name it what they want," Ammann said when asked if he opposed the re-branding. "The DC Jettas sounds good to me, too. Hell, I wouldn't care if there was the L.A. Budweisers or the Houston Hondas."

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But no amount of cash can put people in the seats if the product is bad. The Red Bulls currently own the worst record in the league, holding up the Eastern Conference with only two wins in 19 games. There is a very real chance the franchise might shatter the league's record for ineptitude, set by those '99 MetroStars. Ammann blames the team's management, and in particular coach Juan Carlos Osorio. It was Osorio who led the team on a tremendous playoff run last season before narrowly losing to Columbus in the MLS Cup.

"Juan Carlos was our fitness coach when I was playing, and I think he is an imposter. He should have never been given a head coaching job in the MLS. He went to England because they are way behind the United States in terms of fitness and conditioning, something he does well," Ammann said. "Juan Carlos was great at taking notes and charting every session a coach would put a team through.

"Unfortunately, he cannot coach a team and make necessary changes throughout the course of a game. He should have never been given the job in Chicago in the first place, and the guys in New York did a poor job in hiring him."

When asked about Ammann's statements, Osorio and Red Bulls management declined to comment.

Ammann feels that the team needs to start from scratch and bring in new management. Does he have any other advice for a Red Bulls team in need of a shot? "You'd have to pay me real money to share all of my ideas," he said.

Stat of the week

Call it the dilution of talent due to expansion, especially good attacking players, but scoring in the league is significantly down this year. Last year, an average of 2.81 goals per game were scored as opposed to this year, when teams are combining to find the next 2.59 times per game.

Quote of the week

"He was all over the place, and kudos for a great game. I wish we could have slipped one past him."

-- Kansas City midfielder Jack Jewsbury on New England goalkeeper Matt Reis. The Revs' netminder made a career-high 11 saves in an 0-0 tie Saturday.

Quick kicks

• It's déjà vu. Last week the Seattle Sounders defeated Kansas City 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup. Last year, the Sounders sent the Wizards home in the quarterfinals of the tournament, using penalty kicks after a scoreless regulation.

• Last year the worst goal differential in the league was minus-9, held by Toronto. Through 19 games this season, the Red Bulls already have conceded 15 more goals than they have scored.

• All-time, Kansas City has lost only once at Gillette Stadium, against six wins and five ties. It is the best record in the league at the Revolution's home field. The stadium opened midway through the 2002 MLS season.

Kristian R. Dyer is a freelance writer for ESPNsoccernet. He is the associate editor of Blitz magazine and also writes for the New York City daily paper Metro. He can be reached at KristianRDyer@yahoo.com.