RED BULLS TRAVEL TO PORTLAND, BEGIN FOUR GAME ROAD SWING: The first place Red Bulls begin a four-game road trip this weekend when they take on the expansion Portland Timbers at JELD-WEN Field at 10:00 PM ET (TV: MSG Plus/Galavision; Radio: WQBU 92.7 FM). This will be the first match ever between the two sides.
New York enters the match off a 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution on Friday night at Red Bull Arena. Thierry Henry scored his team leading seventh goal of the season, and also provided the cross that led to a New England own goal. Goalkeeper Greg Sutton was a key performer as well, stopping a Shalrie Joseph penalty effort to keep the match scoreless in the first half. It was the first Red Bulls’ victory since April 30, a 1-0 home win over Sporting Kansas City. The win also extended New York’s unbeaten streak to five matches. With the Philadelphia Union earning a 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake on the weekend, the Red Bulls and Union are tied atop the Eastern Conference standings on 22 points with New York Bulls holding a record of 5-2-7.
In its first season in Major League Soccer, Portland is 5-6-2 with 17 points, tied for seventh in the Western Conference. The Timbers are coming off a tough 1-0 loss at home to the Colorado Rapids in which Portland surrendered a stoppage time winner from the Rapids’ Drew Moor. Portland has dropped its past three matches, with its last victory coming on May 21.
NEW YORK-PORTLAND CONNECTIONS: Portland defender Jeremy Hall was drafted by the Red Bulls in the first round (11th overall) of the 2009 MLS Superdraft out of the University of Maryland. In two full seasons with the Red Bulls, Hall appeared in 37 matches, registering two assists. He also scored in the Red Bulls’ 3-1 friendly victory over Italian club Juventus last season. Timbers defender Eric Brunner was drafted by the Red Bulls in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, but did not sign with the club.
Portland defender Kevin Goldthwaite was a member of the Red Bulls during the 2007-09 seasons. During his tenure, Goldthwaite played in 24 regular season matches, scoring two goals and adding two assists. He started all four playoff matches for the club during their run to the MLS Cup Final in 2008.
Red Bulls defender Stephen Keel spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons with the Portland Timbers, while they were a member of the United Soccer Leagues First Division and USSF D-2 Pro League. In 2009, he helped the Timbers finish the regular season atop the USL First Division standings.
LAST WEEK: Red Bulls 2, New England Revolution 1 at Red Bull Arena on Friday, June 10
THIS WEEK: Red Bulls at Portland Timbers at JELD-WEN Field on Sunday, June 19 at 10:00 PM ET (TV: MSG Plus, Galavision; Radio: WQBU 92.7 FM)
NEXT WEEK: Red Bulls at Seattle Sounders FC at Qwest Field on Thursday, June 23 at 10:00 PM ET (TV: ESPN 2; Radio: WADO 1280 AM)
Red Bulls at Chicago Fire at Toyota Park on Sunday, June 26 at 2:00 PM ET (TV: ESPN; Radio: WQBU 92.7 FM).
HENRY NETS WINNER AS RED BULLS UPEND REVOLUTION, 2-1: The New York Red Bulls vaulted into first place in the Eastern Conference with a 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution on Friday night in front of 21,201 spectators at Red Bull Arena. Thierry Henry scored the game-winning goal, his seventh of the season, after an own goal by New England's Ryan Cochrane opened the scoring. Zak Boggs recorded the Revolution’s lone tally.
New York looked to jump on their rivals early, coming up with a couple of good scoring chances in the opening moments. One minute in, Mehdi Ballouchy played Luke Rodgers into the box, but the Englishman’s shot sailed just wide. In the 7th minute, Henry started a one-two with Joel Lindpere, with Henry then finding Rodgers at the penalty spot. New England defender A.J. Soares was able to deny Rodgers before his shot could reach the net.
The Revolution had a golden opportunity to take the lead, but Red Bulls’ goalkeeper Greg Sutton answered the bell. In the 33rd minute, Red Bulls’ defender Stephen Keel fouled New England forward Rajko Lekic in the penalty area, setting up a penalty kick that Revs captain Shalrie Joseph stepped up to take. Joseph shot high to the right side, but Sutton dove and parried the ball away, and the Red Bulls were able to clear.
New York took advantage of Sutton’s stop by earning the lead in the 37th minute. Near the Revolution penalty area, Rodgers played the ball to Henry on the right side. Coming in towards goal, Henry crossed the ball across the six yard box. Cochrane tried to deflect the pass but guided it into his own net. It was the first time the Red Bulls scored on an own goal since Sept. 16, 2010 at FC Dallas, when Jair Benitez suffered an own goal in a 2-2 tie.
The Red Bulls doubled their lead just five minutes after the restart. From his own half, Keel sent a looping upfield ball to Henry, who dribbled all the way down the left side and into the box. Henry cut the ball back to his right foot, then to his left around Cochrane, before placing his shot inside the far post. The assist was Keel’s first of his MLS career.
The Revolution pulled one back quickly on Boggs’ first goal of the year. On the left side, Didier Domi sent a pass to Chris Tierney. Tierney crossed with his left foot, finding Boggs at the far post. From an acute angle, Boggs controlled the ball and fired a shot underneath Sutton.
New York pushed for an insurance goal and nearly found it in the 77th minute. Henry pressed forward down the left side of the box and crossed the ball to Ballouchy, but his first-time effort was wide of the right post. In the 87th minute, it appeared that the Revolution had tied the game on a header by Lekic, but he was judged to have been in an offside position.
HENRY GETS SEVENTH OF SEASON, CLOSING IN ON MLS LEAD: Thierry Henry scored his seventh goal of the 2011 season in Friday’s 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution. Henry’s seven goals are good for second in Major League Soccer, trailing only the Los Angeles Galaxy’s Landon Donovan. New York’s Luke Rodgers is tied for sixth with five goals.
2011 MLS GOALS LEADERS
Player (Team), Goals
1. Landon Donovan (LA), 8
2. Thierry Henry (NY), 7
T-3. Eric Hassli (VAN), 6
T-3. Chris Wondolowski (SJ), 6
T-3. Charlie Davies (DC), 6
KEEL EARNS FIRST CAREER MLS ASSIST: Red Bulls’ defender Stephen Keel recorded the first assist of his MLS career in Friday’s 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution. The assist came on the game-winning goal, when Keel sent a long ball into the path of Thierry Henry, who finished the chance off. This season, Keel has played in five games, starting four. He was signed by the club on March 9, 2011.
BACKE RECORD STILL INTACT: Under Hans Backe, the Red Bulls have yet to lose a game in which they scored the first goal. In 2010 and 2011 combined, New York has posted a record of 19-0-5 in games where they opened the scoring.
HENRY AND RODGERS BEST SCORING DUO: The forward tandem of Thierry Henry and Luke Rodgers is the top scoring duo on Major League Soccer so far this season, as the two have combined for 12 goals this season. Henry, who scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over New England on Friday, is second in MLS in goals this season with seven. Rodgers has five goals, which is good for sixth in the league.
RED BULLS NAME CHRIS HECK AS NEW PRESIDENT, BUSINESS OPERATIONS: Red Bull New York announced today that long-time sports executive, Chris Heck, has joined the Red Bulls as its new President, Business Operations. Heck, who will begin his new role immediately, will oversee the business and commercial aspects of the club and Red Bull Arena.
“On behalf of our entire organization, I would like to welcome Chris to the club as our new President of Business Operations,” said Erik Soler, the General Manager and Sporting Director of Red Bull New York. “He brings almost 20 years of experience in the sports industry that will be instrumental as we continue the successful development of our business off the field.”
In his most recent role, Heck served as the Senior Vice President of Marketing Partnerships for the National Basketball Association since 2004, where he managed the business for the USA Basketball Senior Men’s and Women’s National Teams.
“I’m extremely excited to join the New York Red Bulls, which I consider the premier franchise in Major League Soccer,” said Heck. “The global sport of soccer continues to thrive and grow in this country at a tremendous rate and I’m happy to be able to play a role in its development through my contributions to New York’s soccer team.”
Prior to his role with NBA’s Marketing Partnerships, Heck, served as the league’s Senior Vice President of Team Business Operations, where he managed a group of experts in team sponsorship development, ticket sales, premium seating, marketing, and retention staff. Additionally, Heck oversaw the NBA Canada office in Toronto and managed the day-to-day league business relationships with the Wizards, Celtics, Knicks, Lakers, Clippers, and Sonics.
FIVE RED BULLS IN 2011 CONCACAF GOLD CUP: UPDATE
Juan Agudelo, F, USA; National Caps- 7
June 4 vs. Spain (Friendly): Agudelo started up top alongside Jozy Altidore for the U.S. before being subbed off in the 65th minute for Alejandro Bedoya. Spain won, 4-0.
June 7 vs. Canada: Agudelo, who started at forward for the U.S., consistently attacked the Canadian defense, taking four shots, three of which were on goal. Although Agudelo never broke through, American teammates Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey managed to find the back of the net, resulting in a 2-0 USA triumph. Agudelo was eventually subbed off in the 63rd minute for Chris Wondolowski.
June 11 vs. Panama: Agudelo started at forward and played 61 minutes before being subbed out in the 61st minute for Alejandro Bedoya. Panama rode two first half goals to win the match, 2-1.
UPCOMING MATCHES:
June 14 vs. Guadeloupe (9:00 PM ET in Kansas City, KS)
Tim Ream, D, USA; National Caps- 7
June 4 vs. Spain (Friendly): Ream played the full 90 minutes at centerback for the U.S. against a World Cup champion Spain squad that won 4-0 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA.
June 7 vs. Canada: Playing against a Canadian attack led by fellow Red Bull teammate Dwayne De Rosario, Ream rebounded to hold the Canadians scoreless. The stonewall defense played by Ream and the other American led to a 2-0 USA win. Ream played the full 90 minutes in the victory.
June 11 vs. Panama: Ream started and played all 90 minutes in the United States’ 2-1 loss to Panama.
UPCOMING MATCHES:
June 14 vs. Guadeloupe (9:00 PM ET in Kansas City, KS)
Rafael Marquez, D, Mexico; National Caps-104
June 5 vs. El Salvador: After not participating in Mexico’s friendly vs. New Zealand due to injury, Marquez came on against El Salvador in the 67th minute for Giovani Dos Santos. Mexico won 5-0.
June 9 vs. Cuba: Marquez started the match and played 72 minutes before being substituted off for Jorge Torres. Mexico defeated Suba by a 5-0 score. Marquez was on the field for four of Mexico’s five goals.
June 12 vs. Costa Rica: Mexico completed a dominant first round with a 4-1 victory over Costa Rica. Marquez got Mexico off on the right foot, scoring his 12th international goal in the 17th minute.
UPCOMING MATCHES:
June 18 vs. TBA (TBA in East Rutherford, NJ)
Dwayne De Rosario, M, Canada; National Caps-59
June 1 vs. Ecuador (Friendly): De Rosario joined the Canadian National team in time for their final friendly before Gold Cup play. De Rosario was selected to start in the midfield for the contest. The friendly resulted in a 2-2 tie.
June 7 vs. USA: De Rosario started at midfield for the Canadians and led an attack which was eventually held scoreless by American goalkeeper Tim Howard. Canada’s best chance at scoring came midway through the first half when De Rosario ripped a shot from outside the box that ended up just wide of the crossbar. De Rosario played 81 minutes for the Canadians.
June 11 vs. Guadeloupe: Canada kept its quarterfinals hopes alive with a 1-0 victory over Guadeloupe, with De Rosario providing the offense with a penalty conversion in the 51st minute. De Rosario started the match and played 63 minutes before being subbed out for Simeon Jackson.
UPCOMING MATCHES:
June 14 vs. Panama (7:00 PM ET in Kansas City, KS)
Dane Richards, F, Jamaica; National Caps-30
June 6 vs. Grenada: Richards started for the Jamaican National team in the midfield before being subbed off for Omar Daley in the 64th minute. Richards’ effort resulted in an assist on a Ryan Johnson goal. Jamaica won the match by a decisive margin of 4-0.
June 10 vs. Jamaica qualified for the quarterfinals with a 2-0 victory over Guatemala. Richardsstarted and played all 90 minutes, and assisted on Demar Phillips’ second goal of the game, which came in the 78th minute.
UPCOMING MATCHES:
June 13 vs. Honduras (9:00 PM ET Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ)
BACKE TO COACH MLS ALL STARS; VOTING UNDERWAY: New York Red Bulls Coach Hans Backe will lead the MLS All-Stars against Manchester United in the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on July 27 at Red Bull Arena (Live on ESPN2, Galavision, and TSN at 8:30 p.m. ET). Fans can also vote now for the 108 nominated players – the top six per team chosen by a panel of media members – by logging onto www.mlssoccer.com and via text messaging (22442). The six Red Bulls are: Dwayne De Rosario, Thierry Henry, Joel Lindpere, Rafa Marquez, Tim Ream, Luke Rodgers.
Major League Soccer selected Backe for competitive considerations -- he does not have to travel to and from this summer’s showcase event, he is familiar with the facilities, and his team plays at home on July 23 against FC Dallas. These factors provide advantages to the MLS All-Stars as they prepare to face the English Premier League champions and prevent other MLS coaches from missing any training sessions with their clubs.
Backe was a finalist for the 2010 MLS Coach of the Year award after the Red Bulls matched the best season-to-season improvement in MLS history, going from last place in 2009 to first in the Eastern Conference in 2010. Backe, 59, has almost 30 years of professional coaching experience.
In addition, MLS unveiled the selection process for the 2011 MLS All-Star team. Fans will be able to vote three ways – online, via text message, or on Twitter – for the players they believe should face Manchester United. Fans will select 11 All-Stars – known as the “First XI” – but the coach will choose the starting lineup.
A total of 32 All-Stars are named each year, per the collective bargaining agreement. The process in 2011 is similar to previous years, as media, fans, players, the All-Star coach and MLS Commissioner Don Garber all contribute to the final roster.
TICKETS FOR SECOND HALF OF RED BULLS SEASON ON SALE: Individual game tickets to the final portion of the New York Red Bulls’ 2011 MLS regular season at Red Bull Arena are on sale now.
These home games will mark the return of the Red Bulls to Harrison after the team’s historic participation in the prestigious Emirates Cup tournament in London at the end of July. Some of the action includes exciting matchups such as the Los Angeles Galaxy, CONCACAF Champions League Finalists Real Salt Lake and Eastern Conference foes Philadelphia Union.
The matches that are on sale are:
Date, Opponent, Time
Saturday, Aug. 13, Chicago Fire, 7:30 PM
Sunday, Aug. 28, Los Angeles Galaxy, 7:00 PM
Saturday, Sep. 10, Vancouver Whitecaps, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, Sep. 21, Real Salt Lake, 8:00 PM
Saturday, Sep. 24, Portland Timbers, 7:30 PM
Thursday, Oct. 20, Philadelphia Union, 8:00 PM
Each game also gives the Red Bulls and their fans an opportunity to give back to the community. Examples of the home game community activation are the Red Bulls 9/11 Tribute Night on Saturday, Sept. 10 when they host the Vancouver Whitecaps, and Breast Cancer Awareness Night on Thursday, Oct. 20th when the team hosts the Philadelphia Union. For a full list of charitable opportunities at every Red Bulls home match, visit //www.newyorkredbulls.com/charitable-schedule.
Tickets can be purchased by logging onto www.newyorkredbulls.com or by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER.
