Red Bulls defender Wilman Conde arrested

The New York Red Bulls: a team that absolutely cannot get out of their own way.

The Major League Soccer club in this country’s largest media market certainly didn’t need another obstacle. And yet, here they are – one more high hurdle on a course increasingly strewn with them.

Center back Wilman Conde, who is currently injured but nonetheless represents the center piece of the Red Bulls’ back line, was arrested last night. Police in New Jersey charged Conde with aggravated assault on a police officer.

Police allege they responded to a noise complaint when things got out of hand. According to the police account, as reported in The North Jersey News, at one point Conde “became loud and got in the way of the officer and began to push him.”

Wow. What else to say? Conde has made some bad choices previously regarding his words and career choices. But this one sets a new standard.

Because here’s what each and every one of us should ask ourselves before we get pushy and belligerent with law enforcement: How can this possible end well for me?

The answer, of course, is that it won’t. There really are only two ways that arguing with police will finish for us: “bad” or “really, really bad.” That’s it. Only Conde missed that lesson in life.

So, add “Conde loses his mind, gets himself arrested” to the list of troubles around Red Bull Arena. That list already includes the ongoing and seemingly never ending Rafa Marquez drama, the now-resolved Luke Rodgers situation, worries over Thierry Henry’s European visits and, of course, Henry’s current injury.