Location: El Pastor, 570 Market Street (corner of Polk St.), Newark NJ 07105 Phone: 973 589 2801 Map: http://tinyurl.com/elpastor

There is free parking in the rear (ahem) and it is an easy walk from the Newark Penn Station on the Path or NJ Transit trains.

Any questions, please hit us up at empiresc@verizon.net.

We had wanted to do this earlier in the year, and around a game, but unfortunately that was not possible. But, we’ll have some fun events worked in, we’re working on a special guest and you’ll be able to pick up your 2010 ESC membership, ESC gear, and ticket packages from the front office. We’ll have some raffles, an event on the big screen and other fun stuff. There will be a drink special on Spaten beer as well (like you need a reason!).

Nevada Smiths, Feb. 20th, 74 Third Ave, between 11th & 12th. Take the L to 3rd Ave or 4/5/6/N/Q/R/W to Union Sq. You can also take the Path train to 9th or 14th and walk over.

There will be a New Jersey membership drive on the day of the soft launch, March 13th, in Harrison, so please save the date for that too.

Thanks!

As we move into RBA, know that the club’s goal is to sell our stadium out each week. This means that seats may not be available in 101 on gameday for you to walk up and buy a ticket. The cheapest way you can get a ticket is to buy a package, which they have in 2 game (Santos opener & home opener), 4 game & 8 game packages. We’d ABSOLUTELY recommend getting the 2 game home opener packs with the Santos & Chicago games if you are going to those games. We’re not trying to sell tickets for the front office, we’re trying to make sure that you don’t get shut out of those games.

Full Season Plans: $272 – We are holding the first 6 rows in S101 for ESC members.

8-Game Plans: $136 – You will receive the MLS Home Opener on 3/27 and 7 other games of your choice. Inquire about Santos match when purchasing if you want it.

4-Game Plans: $72 – You will receive the MLS Home Opener on 3/27 and 3 other games of your choice. Inquire about Santos match when purchasing if you want it.

Stage is Set 2-Pack: $36 – Get a ticket to the Santos match on 3/20 and a ticket to MLS Home Opener against the Fire on 3/27.

To order, call 201-583-7024 and tell them you are an ESC member.

The ESC will be rallying ’round the flag this Saturday night as the boys of red, white & blue hit the mean streets of Carson, California for the annual January spring training punch around, featuring fellow World Cup team Honduras in the first match of 2010.

Honduras, when last we left them, were partying like mad in Tegucigalpa after our come-from-behind tie vs. Costa Rica meant that Team Amado would be making the long trek with us to South Africa. They won’t be shouting “Gringo! Gringo” at us this time, or, not happily anyway, but nonetheless, it’ll be a good time. And, frankly they owe us a free beer and some chorizo.

We’ll be watching down at Nevada Smiths, 74 Third Ave. at 11th Street. Game starts at 9pm ET, but feel free to get there early because the more you drink, the happier you’ll be that you came. To the bar.

See you Saturday!

Ah, good times.

The ESC brought a large pile of ruckus to Philly, and dumped it right into the Union’s backyard.

Lead by Flip, Menace, Matrim & others, 50 plus NYRB fans sang in full voice, again showing everyone how it is done.

From singing down the local team, to sharing some love with DC, to talking down the 4 Sounders fans who were trying to talk smack (wrong coast, yo), it was a great day.

It started in Newark with the bus (thanks again, MLS/RBNY) from the ‘other’ Penn Sta. to Philly, where we were dropped off right into the middle of a Chris Albright sighting.

From there it was into our seats & in front of the cameras for an hour plus of standing & signing.

Whether it was cheering on our draft picks, getting a waive from the NYRB coaching staff, or just bending an elbow at the beergarden, it was a great day all around. We didn’t get Duka, but we got Tchani, De Luz and 3 other players in addition to Chris Albright, and we are making progress towards our squad for this year.

Maybe the best thing to come out of the day was getting RIGHT in front of our coaching staff to let them know exactly how much we care about our team, and making it a success.

We hope that all of the members that took part enjoyed the event, that those who didn’t make it down try to get in on the next one, and that everyone is really excited for a great year in 101 in 2010.

We need you to help us rock it, no two ways about it. So make sure you are there, home and away, to share in great days like this.

Thanks again, all.

(This isn’t the real bus, yo, chillax.)

New York Red Bulls fans will head south on the turnpike next Thursday, January 14th for the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, to sing and cheer for our next 4 players. Thanks to our “whoops” of a 2009 season, we’re sitting pretty on draft day with 4 picks in the first two rounds, at number 2, 14, 18 and 31. Will it be Duka? Opara? A trade and a pile of allocation cash? Who knows, but be there live to find out. Not to mention, you get to rag on the Philly Union supporters for taking whatever Chris Carrieri they end up taking with the first overall pick.

Bus leaves from the Ironbound, right across the street from Newark Penn Station. Meet in front of # 2 Ferry Street, at the corner of Market St.

Be at the bus stop ready to go at 10:45 AM. Bus leaves U2 Style (with or without you) at 11am. Don’t be late, because we can’t wait.

We should get to Philly at 1pm, draft starts at 2pm and we’ll stay until the second round ends, around 5/6pm. We’ll be home 2 hours later, call it 7pm-8pm.

No smoking on the bus, beverages are allowed (cans only) and bring a bag for your trash with you, cause you’ll be taking it off the bus.

Also, you need to bring a $ 5 tip for the driver. No tip, you ride in the pooper.

So, hurry up and reserve your spot by sending an e-mail to empiresc@verizon.net. Everyone who is officially on the bus will get/has gotten an e-mail confirmation. As of now there are only a few spots left, so wait for your confirmation before you show up.

You can only reserve a spot by sending an e-mail, so don’t get left behind!

Polls will remain open until midnight Saturday December 26th. The follwoing members have put their esteemed names in the hat to lead the club.

Top to Bottom and Left to Right (Corey Vezina, Michael Sansone, Tim Hall, Thomas Binkley and Noach Misch.

Good luck to all the candidates. To vote you myst be a ESC member and registarted on this webiste. You may vote at the poll in the following link http://www.empiresupportersclub.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=770

The sign in the upper deck from the Toronto fans read “The Last Douche Out, Turn Off the Shite”…psst Toronto, you’re the last douche.

The last game to be played at Giants Stadium in predictable fashion was played in driving rain and horrible conditions, in some places standing water was on the field of play. Given the way this season had gone most fans were not expecting an awe inspiring performance….but that is what we got.

With Toronto’s playoffs on the line, New York laid down a severe 5-0 beatdown and gave New York its most convincing home win since 2006 when they beat hapless Salt Lake 6-0. The result ended Toronto’s bid for a first ever playoff appearance and sent their fans home wet and depressed for a 12 hour bus ride. Hope you enjoyed the trip douches.

The win capped off a miserable 14 years at Giants Stadium with the NFL lines, the poor concessions, the nazi security of the NJSEA, and the shit field surface. All of that is now a thing of the past, for the next time we watch our New York side it will be in Red Bull Arena. Start the countdown.