A Ruben Bover second half free kick goal was enough for the New York Red Bulls to earn a 1-0 win over the Under-23 squad of Brazil’s Fluminense FC Wednesday afternoon at a rain-soaked ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex – a match that was part of the Disney Pro Soccer Classic preseason tournament. New York, which wrapped up group play with six points off a 2-1-0 record, will face Orlando City SC on Saturday at 6:00 PM in its final match of the competition.
Both teams were trying to find their rhythm in the first half and Red Bulls goalkeeper Ryan Meara made a terrific save to keep the game scoreless in the 19th minute, getting his right hand over to palm away a Fluminense shot. On the other end, Thierry Henry was led into the box by Lloyd Sam. The Frenchman cut to his left foot and almost shot at an open goal but Fluminense was able to get back on defense to prevent the attempt.
In the second half, Meara again helped New York out with a pair of saves. First, he blocked a pair of shots from Fluminense attackers Marlon and Pablo. Then, Pablo was able to get behind the Red Bulls’ defense and slid an on target attempt between Meara’s legs. However, midfielder Dax McCarty was able to clear the ball off the line.
New York took the lead in the 74th minute. After the Red Bulls earned a free kick, Bover stepped up and from the left side of the goal, whipped a 23-yard shot over the wall and into the back of the net for his second tally in as many matches.
The Red Bulls begin their 2014 regular season schedule at BC Place, hitting the road to take on Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday, March 8 at 7:30 PM. Tickets to the Red Bulls’ first regular season game at Red Bull Arena on March 15 against the Colorado Rapids at 4:00 PM are on sale now by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER or logging onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.
New York Red Bulls 1, Fluminense FC Under-23 0
February 26, 2014
MLS Preseason
Disney Pro Soccer Classic – ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Scoring Summary:
NY: Ruben Bover 1 (unassisted) 74’
Disciplinary Summary:
NY: Thierry Henry (caution) 55’
New York Red Bulls: Ryan Meara (Santiago Castano 70’), Kosuke Kimura (Chris Duvall* 70’), Jamison Olave (Matt Miazga 68’), Armando (Ibrahim Sekagya 68’), Roy Miller (Ambroise Oyongo* 70’), Lloyd Sam (Connor Lade 70’), Eric Alexander (Michael Bustamante 68’), Dax McCarty (Ruben Bover 68’), Jonny Steele (Marius Obekop 70’), Bradley Wright-Phillips (Andre Akpan 72’), Thierry Henry (Peguy Luyindula 72’)
Fluminense FC Under-23: Klever, Igor Juliao, Nogueira, Fabio Braga (Matheus Carvalho 83’), Diego, Robert (Joao 83’), Luiz Fernando, Rodrigo, Eduardo, Marlon, Bryan (Pablo 59’)
* - Guest Player
Red Bulls Upcoming Schedule:
Feb. 17: Team travels to Orlando, FL for Disney Pro Soccer Classic field at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Feb. 19: Red Bulls 0 vs. Sporting Kansas City 1 (Disney Pro Soccer Classic)
Feb. 22: Red Bulls 3 vs. Montreal Impact 0 (Disney Pro Soccer Classic)
Feb. 26: Red Bulls 1 vs. Fluminense FC Under-23s 0 (Disney Pro Soccer Classic)
March 1: Final Disney Pro Soccer Classic match (opponent, time TBD)
March 2: Return to NY/NJ area
March 4: Red Bulls Jersey Week/Media Day Event at 5:00 PM
March 8: Red Bulls at Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place at 7:30 PM ET (TV: TBA) – MLS Regular Season Opener
March 15: Red Bulls vs. Colorado Rapids at Red Bull Arena at 4:00 PM ET (TV: NBC Sports Network) – MLS Regular Season Home Opener
