The New York Red Bulls will host a question and answer session with their season ticket holders later this month after recent front office and head coaching moves drew ire from some of the club’s most ardent supporters.
The club emailed all season ticket holders on Thursday, inviting them to the town hall discussion on Jan. 16 at a location that was not disclosed. The club is capping the meeting at the first 300 season ticket holders who reply.
Red Bulls general manager Marc de Grandpre, sporting director Ali Curtis and head coach Jesse Marsch are all expected to be in attendance to answer questions about the club, and the recent moves that have shaken up the organization.
“Your passion and support for the team is very important to us, and we understand your reaction to the decisions made this week,” the email reads. “We value your opinions and want to give you the chance to voice them, as well as ask the questions that you are looking to get answers to.”
“We truly appreciate your support, and we look forward to having an open conversation with you to discuss your concerns, while sharing more details about our vision for the club heading into our 20th season together.”
Curtis was appointed to the Red Bulls staff in December, and less than two weeks later delivered the news that head coach Mike Petke was being let go. After building his reputation as a club hero in New York over seven years with the club (1998-2002 and 2009-10), Petke led the Red Bulls to their first-ever MLS Supporters’ Shield in 2013 and their first Conference Championship appearance since 2008 last season.
His dismissal prompted some supporters to try to raise funds for a billboard criticizing the move, and others left a bottle of vodka on Petke’s doorstep shortly after he was fired.
