Three of the Red Bulls’ top performers took their talents abroad and represented their national teams on Wednesday, as Roy Miller (Costa Rica), Joel Lindpere (Estonia) and Bill Gaudette (Puerto Rico) all took the pitch in international friendlies. Despite the international commitments, all three players are available for selection by coach Hans Backe when the Red Bulls host the Portland Timbers Sunday at Red Bull Arena. (Watch on MSG+ | Get Tickets)
Miller made his 31st appearance for Costa Rica, earning a place in the starting lineup as The Ticos dropped a 1-0 home decision to Peru Wednesday. Peru played almost the entire match ahead, as Luis Ramirez put the visitors on top in just the seventh minute. Miller was replaced by Johnny Acosta in the 59th minute.
Miller recently notched his sixth assist of the season for the Red Bulls, which ranks him second on the team behind Thierry Henry, when he helped set up Markus Holgersson’s goal in New York’s 2-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo last Friday. The 27-year-old has 11 career assists in 76 all-time games with New York since joining the team in 2010.
Lindpere traveled home to Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, for his national team’s friendly against Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland on Wednesday. The home side captured a thrilling victory, as Estonia’s Konstantin Vassiljev scored on a free kick in the game’s final minute. Lindpere started the match and played 56 minutes, earning his 79th cap for Estonia.
New York’s 2010 team MVP has three goals in 24 games played with the Red Bulls this season, and ranks third on the squad with five assists. For his MLS career, Lindpere has made 87 appearances, starting 83 times, and has recorded 13 goals and 18 assists.
It’s possible to have a standout performance in a losing effort, and goalkeeper Bill Gaudette is proof. The Puerto Rican National Team faced an incredibly tall order on Wednesday when they hosted reigning FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012 Champions Spain. Spain had the lion’s share of the possession and registered an incredible 33 shots, including 10 on goal, but Gaudette stood tall and made an impressive eight saves. Santi Cazorla and Cesc Fabregas did find the back of the net for Spain in the 42nd and 45th minutes, respectively, but the 2-1 scoreline would have looked much different if it weren’t for the performance of the Red Bulls’ shot stopper. Marc Cintron’s goal for the hosts in the 65th minute cut the deficit in half, but FIFA’s No. 1 ranked team held on to their slim lead.
Gaudette, who made his third appearance for Puerto Rico, has three shutouts for the Red Bulls this season, posting a 3-2-1 record with a goals against average of 1.17 since joining the Red Bulls from the Los Angeles Galaxy in July.
