Who are ya?

Which leaves the question... what now for fans of this team? The Red Bull takeover fractured the fan base into disparate groups, each with principled arguments as to why they could or could not support this team and its new direction.

Though, for years, a central lament of die hard fans was that they didn't have a place of their own. Tired of putting up with uneven results in a patently unfavorable environment, scores of fans left the team altogether. Now that the stadium is a reality, one must ask if fans are fully aware of what they've gotten themselves into. With seating close to the field and a roof to keep the rain off and the noise in, there is no doubt that it will be a great place to watch a game.

Yet, there are to be luxury suites and private clubs for fans willing to pay top dollar. There will be VIP entrances and restricted restaurants with private dining from top quality menus (Wolfgang Puck's influence is mentioned in early advertising materials). Fans must now begin to wonder what part of the park will be set aside, if any, for those normal Joes looking to just watch a soccer game with their friends. What began as 'we want a stadium for us' has been turned into the crown jewel of an empire to which many fans feel they don't truly belong.

The celebration of groundbreaking day then, came down to this: Does accepting the gift of the stadium fans have long dreamed about come with it the final acceptance of Red Bull's permanent reign over this team? If you cannot deny the nature of their involvement in finishing the project, does it in some manner resolve the still cloudy question of how one supports a team named after a soda can?

It did for a number of MetroStars fans today, who grudgingly laid down their final arrows and moved on, accepting the reality of future that 'is' over the nostalgia for the past that 'was'. If the dirt dug up in a New Jersey parking lot today was meant to symbolize the beginning of Red Bull's commitment to Harrison, it also seemed to land on the grave of a dream for this stadium that began with the MetroStars.

Even if those questions are never resolved, this particular journey -- at least -- seems to have drawn to a close. At the very least, we can all celebrate that.