Red Bulls are still thirsting for a star

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Red Bull Co. Ltd. made a $100 million investment in Major League Soccer, but so far, none of that money has gone toward improving the New York franchise. That could change. Red Bull chief executive Dietrich Mateschitz plans to capitalize on the league's ''Beckham Rule," which allows teams to break the bank for one player outside the salary cap.

An approach has been made to Real Madrid's Ronaldo, the Red Bulls' Youri Djorkaeff confirmed recently.

And a press conference Friday night indicated the sales pitch is about to accelerate. Former New York Cosmos players Pelé and Franz Beckenbauer were the attractions in a packed function room in a lower Manhattan hotel; though neither will play a direct role with the Red Bulls, both said they will be involved with the team.

''You see what is happening up here," Red Bulls general manager Alexi Lalas said. ''We will be doing things at a totally different level and this is the tip of the iceberg. We will be pushing the envelope. [Ronaldo] is on our radar screen and you can bet there are other people out there."

The Red Bulls might have set another precedent last night, heavily promoting the home opener against the Revolution with big-name anthem singers and halftime acts. Call it the ''Shakira Rule."

Pelé, who owns a house in the Hamptons, attended his first MLS game at Giants Stadium last night.

''I heard Ronaldo and [Zinedine] Zidane, they were approached to the Japanese team last month and both refused to go," Pelé said. ''Maybe if they got the invitation to come to the United States it would be different."

Beckenbauer, head of the World Cup 2006 Organizing Committee, was the key to bringing Red Bull into the league as a ''personal adviser" to Mateschitz.

''There is only one little town in this country," Beckenbauer said he told Mateschitz. ''It's New York. If you have one chance to buy a team in the United States, it's New York. If it's possible to buy only one team, it's MLS. So I help you because of my time with the Cosmos. I know what's going on in the city."

Revolution striker Taylor Twellman sustained a nose injury in a clash with defender Taylor Graham in the 76th minute of last night's 0-0 tie. ''It was a two-footed tackle from behind and they got a goal kick," said Twellman, holding an ice pack to his face after the match. ''[Djorkaeff] gets fouled and it's a free kick for them." Regarding the Revolution's offensive struggles, Twellman said, ''We are not getting enough chances. There is room for improvement, no doubt. It's a new system [a 3-4-3 alignment] and we are still getting used to it. But our job is to get shots on frame. We've got to get the ball wide and then get it into the box, and we haven't done that. It will come." Twellman will have his nose X-rayed today before leaving to join the US national team for Tuesday's game against Jamaica in Cary, N.C. . . . Clint Dempsey, Pat Noonan, Steve Ralston, and Matt Reis will join Twellman with the national team. The players will return to Revolution practice Wednesday in preparation for their visit to Kansas City Saturday . . . Half of the lights at Giants Stadium went out in the 86th minute, but referee Baldomero Toledo let play continue on a slightly darkened field.