In the 17-year history of this franchise, one event and one event only stands as the defining moment: the sale of the team to Red Bull in 2006 and the re-branding that followed. Countless words were written on the subject, countless arguments were yelled back and forth. Does it matter that the team is named after an energy drink? Should we keep a link to the past? Everyone has an opinion. Everyone has an answer. You know ours.

So in comes Thierry Henry. Thierry Henry, who has won everything there is to be won in soccer. Thierry Henry, now the club's captain and best player. Thierry Henry, who has no connection to times of Metro past. Thierry Henry, who never wore the black and red. Until now, that is.

For when the red and black armband turned up last week against Kansas City, questions quickly arose. Well, those questions are answered now.

Henry spoke recently about winning for the long-time fans. The red and black armband was not a coincidence. And, after setting up a goal against Toronto in front of the South Ward, he pointed into the stands, pointed to those who suffered through all these years. And then he pointed to the armband. And then he scored himself, and there it was, armband again, red and black stripes, red and black vertical stripes that we all loved so dearly and that now seem long gone.

Well, they are not gone. And we can only be thankful that our captain feels the same way. Oh, sure, Red Bull owns the team now. Red Bull helped build the wonderful stadium. Red Bull signs Henry's paycheck. But no owner, Red Bull, or whoever comes after them, will make us forget where this team came from. No one will makes us forget the red and black stripes (and yes, a year in black and white!). No one will make us forget Metro.

Thank you, Thierry. You might have never been a MetroStar, but you are a true Metro.