RED BULLS, UNITED, REKINDLE ATLANTIC CUP RIVALRY: Fresh off their second victory of the 2011 season, the Red Bulls visit their Atlantic Cup rivals D.C. United on Thursday night at RFK Stadium at 8:00 PM ET (TV: ESPN2, ESPN Deportes; Radio: WADO 1280 AM).
New York raced past the San Jose Earthquakes last Saturday 3-0, improving to 2-1-2 on 8 points, and sit in a three-way tie for second place in the Eastern Conference standings. Red Bulls forward Luke Rodgers scored his first MLS goal just two minutes into the match, and notched another in the 15th minute off a feed from Thierry Henry. Rodgers then returned the favor, setting up Henry’s first goal of the season late in the match to seal the victory. The Red Bulls remain unbeaten in 2011 at Red Bull Arena, posting a 2-0-1 record.
D.C. comes into the match on a two-match unbeaten streak, winning their most recent game, 3-0, over Toronto FC. Just like the Red Bulls, United scored two early goals, with Chris Pontius and Charlie Davies finding the back of the net in the 5th and 10th minutes respectively. Pontius added another in the 73rd minute, as D.C. improved to 2-2-1 on seven points, and sits in sole possession of fifth place in the East. In his first season in Major League Soccer, Davies leads MLS in goals scored, as his strike on Saturday was his fifth of the young season.
Thursday’s clash will be the 55th meeting of the New York-D.C. rivalry that dates back to the league’s inaugural season of 1996. All time, New York is 18-29-7 against United, but went undefeated against their rivals last season. The Red Bulls defeated United 2-0 on May 1, 2010 at RFK Stadium, and earned a 0-0 draw on July 10, 2010 at Red Bull Arena, winning the Atlantic Cup, the regular season series between the two sides, for the first time since 2003.
RODGERS WINS MLS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: New York Red Bulls forward Luke Rodgers was voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for Week 5 of the 2011 MLS season. Rodgers made the most of his first MLS start at Red Bull Arena, tallying two goals and an assist in the Red Bulls’ 3-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes Saturday night.
Rodgers gave the Red Bulls a lead in just the second minute of play. Rafa Marquez swung in a corner kick that was flicked to Dane Richards, who redirected it into the six-yard box. With a quick reaction, Rodgers headed it into the back of the net. In the 15th minute, forward Thierry Henry stole the ball from defender Ramiro Corrales near the right corner of the box. He took a touch and sent a diagonal pass across the face of the goal just out of goalkeeper Jon Busch’s reach. Rodgers’ well-timed run put him in perfect position to double the Red Bulls’ advantage.
In the second half, Rodgers went from goal-scorer to facilitator in the 87th minute, when he fed Henry for his first goal of the season. Rodgers paused with the ball just outside the right corner of the area and then chipped a cross to the far post, where Henry buried it with a diving header into the side netting.
Rodgers joined the Red Bulls after signing on Jan. 28, 2011 from English League One side, Notts County. The 29-year-old has also played for Yeovil Town, Port Vale, Crewe Alexandra and Shrewsbury Town throughout his career.
The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season by a panel of journalists from NASR. The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information and membership information can be found at http://www.soccerreporters.com/.
LAST WEEK: Red Bulls 3, San Jose Earthquakes 0 at Red Bull Arena on April 16
THIS WEEK: Red Bulls at D.C. United at RFK Stadium on April 21 at 8:00 PM (TV: ESPN2, ESPN Deportes; Radio: WADO 1280 AM)
NEXT WEEK: Red Bulls vs. Sporting Kansas City at Red Bull Arena on April 30 at 7:30 PM (TV: MSG; Radio: WADO 1280 AM; TICKETS)
RODGERS, HENRY SCORE AS RED BULLS UPEND EARTHQUAKES 3-0: Two goals from Luke Rodgers and Thierry Henry’s first tally of the season paced the New York Red Bulls to a 3-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night at a rain-drenched Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls outshot the Earthquakes 19-6, and goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul made three saves for his first win of the season, as the Red Bulls improved to eight points off a 2-1-2 record.
WATCH:Full Match Highlights
New York took an early lead just two minutes after kickoff on Rodgers’ first MLS goal. Rafa Márquez swung a corner into the box that was deflected by an Earthquakes defender to the far post. The ball fell to Dane Richards, who got a touch and bounced the ball towards the center of the area, where Rodgers was able to get his head to the ball and guide it past Jon Busch for his first career MLS goal.
WATCH: Rodgers opens his Red Bulls account
Rodgers doubled his account and the Red Bulls’ lead in the 15th minute. After a Rodgers cross misfired and went to the far side of the field, San Jose defender Ramiro Corrales was dispossessed by Henry. Henry stormed into the box on the right side and played a low cross towards the goal area finding Rodgers, who beat Busch with a first-time effort. Rodgers nearly netted his third of the half in the 39th minute, barely missing the net from the right side of the penalty area off a feed from Dwayne De Rosario.
WATCH:Rodgers doubles New York's lead off an Henry assist
Coundoul was called into action for the first time of the game in the 48th minute, stopping 2010 MLS Golden Boot winner Chris Wondolowski’s acute angle effort from the right side.
Henry was dangerous throughout the match, coming close in the 52nd minute. Rodgers played Henry through on goal, where the Frenchman took a touch around Busch but couldn’t keep his left-footed chance on frame. Later, Henry forced Busch to make an acrobatic save in the 76th minute when the netminder parried Henry’s 25 yard effort.
Henry finally found the back of the net in the 87th minute on a beautiful feed from Rodgers. On a counterattack, Rodgers pulled up from outside of the box and sent a cross into the path of Henry, who dove forward and nodded the ball into the far side netting. It was Henry’s third career MLS goal, and Rodgers’ first MLS assist.
WATCH: Henry puts the game away with assist from Rodgers
HENRY SCORES FIRST OF 2011: Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry found the back of the net for the first time in 2011 in New York’s 3-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes last Saturday. The goal was the Frenchman’s third career MLS goal.
VOTE: Henry for AT&T MLS Goal of the Week
RICHARDS EIGHTH ALL-TIME ON CLUB ASSISTS LIST: Dane Richards assisted on Luke Rodgers opening goal in the team’s 3-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes last Saturday, and it was the Jamaican’s 21st career assist for the club in all competitions. Richards now sits tied with Roberto Donadoni for 8th on the all-time club assists list.
ALL-STAR GAME PRE-SALE BEGINS WEDNESDAY: An exclusive pre-sale for the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game at Red Bull Arena, which will take place on July 27 and will feature storied English club Manchester United, will begin this Wednesday, April 20 at 10:00 AM. During the pre-sale, all Red Bulls Plan Holders and Basic Members will have an exclusive window to purchase tickets to the match before tickets go on sale to the general public.
All Red Bulls Full Season Members will have the first chance to purchase seats starting on April 20. Beginning on May 3, Red Bulls 10-Game Plan Holders will have an opportunity to purchase seats, followed by 5-game Plan Holders on May 5. Red Bulls Basic Members will join the pre-sale later in May.
Full Season Members will also receive a discount on tickets purchased equal to the number of Full Season Memberships on their account. In total, Full Season Members can purchase up to double the amount of seats on their account during this exclusive pre-sale. After the Full Season Member pre-sale, all Red Bulls 10-Game Plan Holders, followed by 5-Game Plan Holders, will have an opportunity to purchase tickets to the AT&T MLS All-Star Game up to equal the amount of plans on their account. These tickets will be full price with fees and will be based on availability. Red Bulls Basic Members will also have an opportunity to purchase a limited number of tickets to the AT&T MLS All-Star Game, based on availability, after the Plan Holders pre-sale is complete.
Any remaining tickets following the presale will be made available through a General Public sale beginning on Thursday, June 2 at 2:00 PM. To participate in the presale please contact the New York Red Bulls to purchase a Full Season Membership, Partial Plan or Basic Membership. For more information CLICK HERE or call 877.RBSOCCER.
TODD HOFFARD NAMED RED BULLS GOALKEEPER COACH: Red Bull New York named Todd Hoffard its Goalkeeper Coach. He joins the club after successful playing and business careers over the past 15 years.
“We are excited to bring Todd on board to our team,” said Red Bull New York General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler. “Todd has a great deal of experience in American soccer and will be a valuable asset to our coaching squad.”
Boasting an expansive career in soccer through both coaching and playing, Hoffard founded the ONE on ONE Soccer Goalkeeper School, serving as its National Director for the past 17 years and coaching various levels of youth soccer. He most recently spent a two year stint at Temple University as a women’s soccer Assistant Coach. Prior to that, he coached several other Division I men’s and women’s teams as an Assistant Coach, including both University of Pennsylvania squads and the College of Charleston’s and St. Bonaventure University’s women’s teams.
Hoffard enjoyed an eight-year professional career following a five years of collegiate play at powerhouse Hartwick College, which he led to a No. 3 ranking in his senior year. Drafted by the Harrisburg Heat in 1994, he spent two seasons at the club before heading off to the Albany Alleycats, Reading Rage, Philadelphia Kixx, Cleveland Crunch and capping his career with the Charleston Battery. He spent time overseas on trial with several clubs in the United Kingdom at various points in his career, including a stint with the Tranmere Rovers in 1994, two spells at Carlisle United in 1994 and 1997 and a trial with Torquay United in 2000.
Hoffard has been a part of the U.S. Soccer Region I ODP Staff and PA ODP Staff, coaching goalkeepers of all ages to various levels ranging from state and regional to ODP and full professionals. He was inducted into the Garden Spot High School Hall of Fame in 2009 and is married as a father of two.
RED BULLS TO HONOR MIKE PETKE IN PRE-GAME CEREMONY ON APRIL 30: The Red Bulls will honor former Red Bulls defender and current Individual Development Coach and Business Operations Manager Mike Petke in a ceremony prior to their match at Red Bull Arena on April 30 against Sporting Kansas City at 7:30 PM ET. Petke will have the opportunity to address the crowd before the game.
Petke, who retired after the 2010 MLS season, played 13 years in the MLS, including seven seasons with New York over two stints and became one of the most beloved members in the franchise’s history. In addition, Petke is the club’s all-time leader in games started, games and minutes played and was part of the team’s All-Time Best XI that was unveiled in 2010.
"I feel honored that the organization has decided to celebrate my career with this ceremony,” Petke said. “This club has been so much more than just a team since I started my career here. The New York Red Bulls organization has done so much for me and my family, and I am truly grateful for their recognition of my playing career.”
Petke, a three-time MLS All-Star, featured in 169 regular season games for New York, starting in 158 of them and logging a total of 14,060 minutes. The Bohemia, NY native started his career with New York in 1998, being drafted in the first round (eighth overall) in the 1998 MLS College Draft. Petke played five seasons for New York and helped the club to its first-ever Eastern Conference championship game and division title in 2000.
Petke re-joined New York from the Colorado Rapids on Nov. 26, 2008 and played in 19 games in 2009. In 2010, his final professional season, Petke made 16 appearances, starting in 11, and he became only the 12th player in MLS history to appear in 300 regular season matches, reaching the mark with his start on May 20, 2010 against the Columbus Crew. In the Grand Opening of the club’s brand-new stadium, Red Bull Arena, on March 20, 2010, Petke tallied the Red Bulls’ second goal of the match off a close range volley en route to a 3-1 win over Santos FC.
Petke played for D.C. United from 2003-05 and he won the MLS Cup for the first time of his career in 2004. In 2005, Petke was traded to the Rapids and made 80 appearances over three-plus years. During his 13-year run in MLS, Petke scored 13 goals and four assists in regular season action, logging 25,731 minutes – a mark that is seventh all-time in MLS history.
On the international level, Petke was part of the 2002 U.S. Men’s National Team pool and earned two caps for his country. Petke attended Southern Connecticut State University, where he won a number of accolades including twice being named on the All-New England Collegiate Conference First Team and the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Petke was appointed to his current role of Individual Development Coach and Business Operations Manager on January 12, 2011 and is currently serving in a variety of roles with the Red Bulls, working within different departments in the front office and the coaching staff.
USA WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM TO FACE MEXICO AT RED BULL ARENA JUNE 5:
The U.S. Women's National Team will play its Women’s World Cup Send-Off match against Mexico on June 5 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. The match will kick off at 2 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and Univision.
The match will mark the final contest for the U.S. women before the team departs for Europe in mid-June for a pre-Women’s World Cup training camp in Austria. The USA opens the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup against Korea DPR on June 28 (ESPN at 11:45 a.m. ET) at Rudolf Harbig Stadium in Dresden, Germany.
Tickets starting at $22 go on sale for Red Bull New York Plan Holders and Members on Saturday, April 16, at 10 a.m. ET through ussoccer.com, by phone at 1-877-727-6223 (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. only) and at the Red Bull Arena ticket office (open Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.). The General Public Sale will begin on Monday, April 18 at 10 a.m. ET through the same channels.
Before the match against Mexico, U.S. Soccer and the U.S. Women’s National Team will honor U.S. legend Kristine Lilly for her historic career. The only woman to play in five FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments, Lilly retired last January after a 23-year international career with a world-record 352 career caps and 130 goals, second only in world history to Mia Hamm.
The match against Mexico marks the first game for any full U.S. National Team at spectacular Red Bull Arena, one of the newest jewels in the growing collection of world-class, soccer-specific stadiums in the United States.
The match also features a unique side note in that it will be the first game between the two countries since the USA was upset by Mexico in the semifinal of the CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Cancun, Mexico last October. The loss forced the USA to win the third-place match at the tournament then defeat Italy in a home-and-home playoff series for the last of 16 berths at the World Cup.
“There’s nothing better than having a World Cup send-off game at an amazing venue against a very good opponent in front of a great crowd,” said U.S. captain and New Jersey native Christie Rampone. “It will be an emotional game and a great test for us before we head over to Europe to begin our final preparations.”
The U.S. women have played quite a few matches in New Jersey, playing five times at the old Giants Stadium in East Rutherford and twice in the mid-1990s at Rutgers University in Piscataway. The match will also mark a homecoming of sorts for the numerous New Jersey products who have consistently made U.S. rosters this year. Rampone hails from Point Pleasant, N.J., veteran flank midfielder Heather O’Reilly is from East Brunswick. Attacking midfielder Carli Lloyd is from Delran while midfielders Tobin Heath and Yael Averbuch hail from Basking Ridge and Montclair, respectively. In addition, backup goalkeeper Jill Loyden is from Vineland.
The USA is riding a 49-game unbeaten streak at home, compiling a record of 44-0-5 during that time.
The U.S. WNT will kick off its 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign in Group C against Korea DPR live on ESPN on Tuesday, June 28 at 11:45 a.m. ET from World Cup Stadium in Dresden. The match will also be available on ESPN3.com and ESPN Mobile TV. The U.S. will then face Colombia on July 2 at 11:30 a.m. ET from World Cup Stadium in Sinsheim, and close out group play against Sweden on July 6 at 2:30 p.m. ET from World Cup Stadium Wolfsburg. Both matches will be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN3.com.
Mexico is in Group B at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup where they will face Japan, New Zealand and England.
RED BULLS SIGN DEFENDER TEDDY SCHNEIDER:
Red Bull New York announced April 12 that it has signed defender Teddy Schneider.
“Teddy had a solid preseason camp and we are excited to sign him to our squad,” said Red Bulls General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler. “He will give us cover at left back and we look forward to tracking his development this season.”
The Red Bulls selected Schneider in second round (31st overall) of the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft. Schneider, a native of Califon, NJ, was a four-year player at Princeton University. He helped the Tigers finish atop the Ivy League during his senior season, and was named as a Second Team All-Ivy League selection. During his collegiate career, Schneider played in 69 games, starting 65, and registered seven goals and eight assists.
Schneider started and played 90 minutes in the Red Bulls Reserve’s 3-1 victory over the University of Virginia on Sunday, April 3.
