Red Bulls Weekly Update: August 2

CLUB TO UNVEIL RAFA MARQUEZ TOMORROW: Red Bull New York announced today that it signed former FC Barcelona star and Mexican National Team captain Rafael Marquez to a multi-year contract as the club’s third Designated Player. Marquez will be unveiled to members of the media at a press conference Tuesday, Aug. 3 at Red Bull Arena at 1:15 PM ET.  WATCH THE LIVE STREAM RIGHT HERE ON NEWYORKREDBULLS.COM

“Rafael has shown on the club and international level that he is one of the world’s top players,” said Dietmar Beiersdorfer, Head of Red Bull Global Soccer. “He has been a winner at all levels and illustrated that he is a leader both on and off the field. We are thrilled that he decided to come to the Red Bulls at this time in his career.”

“I am excited to be joining the Red Bulls,” Marquez said. “Coming to New York and playing in Major League Soccer was a chance that I could not refuse. I am committed to doing my very best to help the Red Bulls in their playoff push this year and compete for championships in the years to come.”

Internationally, Marquez has appeared for Mexico 94 times, and has captained the team since the 2002 FIFA World Cup. With Mexico, Marquez won the 1999 Confederations Cup and the 2003 Gold Cup, and has led Mexico out of the first round in his three World Cup appearances. In the 2006 World Cup, Marquez netted a goal in Mexico’s second round match against Argentina and in 2010, he scored in the tournament’s opening match in a draw with host, South Africa.

Marquez spent the last seven seasons of his club career at storied Catalan side, FC Barcelona. He was a part of four La Liga winning Barcelona teams (2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010). In 2006, Marquez helped Barcelona win the UEFA Champions League title, appearing eight times in the competition, including in the final, where Barcelona beat Arsenal, 2-1. With the victory, Marquez became the first Mexican player to ever win the UEFA Champions League. He was also a member of Barcelona’s 2008-09 squad that won an unprecedented six championships, as he took home the UEFA Champions League title for the second time of his career.

Prior to joining Barcelona, Marquez played for AS Monaco from 1999-2003, as he became one of the most highly touted young players in world soccer. Marquez helped his club win the Ligue 1 title in his first season and was the Ligue 1 Best Defender in 2000. The 31-year-old started his professional career at Mexican club Atlas, where he debuted in 1996 at just 17 years of age.

RED BULLS WRAP UP SWING IN CHICAGO: The New York Red Bulls complete a three-game road swing in MLS action when they take on the Chicago Fire on Sunday, Aug. 8 at TOYOTA Park at 9:00 PM ET on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and WQBU 92.7 FM.

The Red Bulls looked to pick up three points against the Houston Dynamo last Saturday after New York forward Juan Pablo Angel’s brace gave the Red Bulls a 2-1 lead. However, Houston’s Brian Mullan scored a 90^th minute goal to spoil the MLS debut of Thierry Henry, who recorded his first two assists in the tie. New York is still in second place in the Eastern Conference with 27 points and an 8-6-3 record, seven points behind the Columbus Crew, which has played one extra game.

New York will be facing a Fire team that has recently reinforced its roster with the addition of two new Designated Players. After signing Mexican international Nery Castillo, the Fire acquired Swedish standout Freddie Ljungberg last Friday. Chicago, which also boasts the likes of former U.S. forward Brian McBride, Dutch striker Collins John and MLS All-Star defender Wilman Conde, finds itself in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 20 points off a 5-5-5 record. The Fire notched a huge 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy Sunday night at The Home Depot Center. After the visitors took a 3-0 lead within the first 20 minutes, they were able to fend off two Landon Donovan penalty kick goals to earn three points.

New York defeated Chicago in the team’s opening showdown on March 27, 1-0, behind a Joel Lindpere first half strike. That match was the first MLS game played at Red Bull Arena. Angel has scored five goals against the Fire over his career, as New York has not won at TOYOTA Park in six tries.

LAST WEEK:
Red Bulls 2, Houston Dynamo 2 at Robertson Stadium on July 31

THIS WEEK:
Red Bulls at Chicago Fire on Sunday, August 8 at TOYOTA Park at 9:00 PM ET (TV: ESPN2, ESPN Deportes; Radio: WQBU 92.7 FM)

NEXT WEEK:
Red Bulls vs. Toronto FC on Wednesday, August 11 at Red Bull Arena at 7:30 PM ET (TV: MSG; Radio: WQBU 92.7 FM)
Red Bulls vs. Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday, August 14 at Red Bull Arena at 6:00 PM ET (TV: Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports en Espanol; WQBU 92.7 FM) – MATCH IS SOLD OUT

2010 MLS STANDINGS
INCLUDES GAMES OF SUNDAY, August 01, 2010

ANGEL CONTINUES FLIGHT, WINS POW: With his brace against the Houston Dynamo on July 31, Juan Pablo Angel increased his franchise leading goal tally and was named Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for Week 18 of the 2010 Major League Soccer season. It is the second time this season that Angel has earned the award and fifth of his career. Angel, who started and captained the MLS All-Stars in a 5-2 loss to Manchester United at Reliant Stadium on Wednesday, July 28, is second in MLS with 11 goals this season – one shy of Los Angeles’ Edson Buddle. The Colombian Designated Player featured for 45 minutes against Manchester United in his third All-Star game appearance.

2010 MLS LEADING SCORERS
PLAYER (Team) GOALS
1. Edson Buddle (LA) 12
2. Juan Pablo Angel (NY) 11
T-3. Dwayne De Rosario (TOR) 8
T-3. Sebastien Le Toux (PHI) 8
T-3. Alvaro Saborio (RSL) 8

NEW YORK ALL-TIME LEADING SCORERS
GOALS (Regular Season)
PLAYER GP GOALS
1. Juan Pablo Angel 89 56
2. Giovanni Savarese 85 41
3. Clint Mathis 93 39
4. Amado Guevara 103 32
5. John Wolyniec 141 26

GOALS (All Competitions)
PLAYER GP GOALS
1. Juan Pablo Angel 95 59
2. Clint Mathis 110 45
3. Giovanni Savarese 97 44
4. Amado Guevara 117 38
5. John Wolyniec 164 36

Game Winning Goals
PLAYER GP GWG
1. Juan Pablo Angel 89 12
T-2. Clint Mathis 93 10
T-2. John Wolyniec 141 10
4. Amado Guevara 103 9
5. Giovanni Savarese 85 8

MULTI-GOAL GAMES
PLAYER GP MULTI-GOAL GAMES
Juan Pablo Angel 89 12
Giovanni Savarese 85 10
Clint Mathis 93 6

ANGEL-HENRY COMBINE TWICE IN 2-2 TIE: Forward Juan Pablo Angel scored twice, while new strike partner Thierry Henry, who made his MLS debut, was the creator of both goals as the New York Red Bulls drew with the Houston Dynamo, 2-2, at Robertson Stadium Saturday night. Angel, who is second in goals scored in MLS with 11, tallied on either side of halftime and Henry recorded his first two league assists.

The Dynamo had the first scoring opportunities of the match in the ninth minute. Midfielder Brad Davis swung a corner kick into the box that fell to Lovel Palmer, whose one-time effort towards the back post was parried away by goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul. The rebound fell to Adrian Serioux and he blasted it over the bar.

Angel, Henry and the Red Bulls would make the Dynamo pay for those misses a minute later when they took the lead. Henry gathered the ball near the left corner flag and cut the ball towards the endline before putting it into the six-yard box. Angel controlled it and knocked it past goalkeeper Tally Hall for his 10^th goal of the season.

Houston tied the game in the 24^th minute. Red Bulls defender Roy Miller was tackled in the midfield, but play continued, as the Dynamo re-gained possession and drove into New York territory. After Red Bulls defender Chris Albright blocked a shot in the box, Carlos Mendes slid in on Joseph Ngwenya and referee Paul Ward pointed to the penalty spot. Davis stepped up and converted the kick, tucking the ball in the low, right-hand corner of the goal.

Henry nearly helped the Red Bulls snatch the lead back in the 30^th minute. Macoumba Kandji fired a low cross into the penalty box that Henry re-directed towards the left post. Hall went down to push it away, but Angel gained possession and again found the French forward, who could not put his second attempt on frame.

In a wide open first half, the Dynamo earned its second penalty kick of the interval when Tim Ream clipped Houston forward Brian Ching in the box. Davis stepped up again, but this time rifled it over the crossbar.

On the other end, Henry had a golden opportunity to open his account, running in on goal off an Angel flick-on from a Seth Stammler pass and sliding his shot just past the right post. In the 44^th minute, the Red Bulls went a man up as Palmer earned a red card when he came in late on Mendes.

Both teams threatened to score immediately after the break, with Houston’s Danny Cruz hitting it past the right post and Henry later inducing Hall to fist away his strike on goal.

Angel would give the Red Bulls a 2-1 lead in the 58^th minute and again, Henry was the provider. Henry had the ball in Houston’s half and found Angel making a diagonal run into the 18-yard box. The Colombian took a touch and hit a rocket into the back of the net, recording his club-record 12^th multi-goal game.

Houston stole a point in the 90^th minute, as Brian Mullan leaped over his defender and headed home an Andrew Hainault cross to tie the game.

HENRY MAKES STRONG DEBUT: New York Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry made a stellar debut to his MLS career when he notched two assists on fellow strike partner Juan Pablo Angel’s goals in a 2-2 tie against the Houston Dynamo Saturday night. Henry, who signed with the team on July 15 after the International Transfer Window opened, made his Red Bull debut on July 22, scoring a goal in a 2-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur at Red Bull Arena as part of the Barclays New York Challenge. Against the Dynamo, Henry played the full 90 minutes and also created several scoring chances for himself.

RED BULLS-GALAXY SOLD OUT: Red Bull New York announced that the MLS regular season match between the Red Bulls and the Los Angeles Galaxy on Aug. 14 at 6:00 PM ET (TV: Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports en Espanol; Radio: WQBU 92.7 FM) at Red Bull Arena is sold out.

Ticket plans for the second half of the Red Bulls’ MLS home schedule, including new Designated Player Thierry Henry’s expected home league debut in New York’s next match at Red Bull Arena on Aug. 11 against Toronto FC at 7:30 PM, are on sale now by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER or CLICKING HERE.

RED BULLS TO HOST SECOND MAYOR’S CUP: Red Bull New York will host the second annual Mayor’s Cup, a match between the soccer teams of the New York Police Department and the Fire Department of New York, immediately following the Red Bulls vs. San Jose Earthquakes match on Saturday, Aug. 28 at Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls vs. Earthquakes match kicks off at 7:30 PM ET. The Mayor’s Cup will benefit the New York City PBA Widows’ and Children’s Fund and the Firefighter Sergio Villanueva Soccer Foundation.

The New York City PBA Widows’ and Children’s fund provides assistance to the widows and dependents of officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The Firefighter Sergio Villanueva Fund promotes domestic and international goodwill through the sport of soccer and commemorates the life of Sergio Villanueva, a New York City firefighter and former New York Police Department officer who gave his life on September 11, 2001.

“It is great to get the support from the premier football club in New York,” said Jonathan Kanovsky, Executive Director of the Firefighter Sergio Villanueva Soccer Foundation. “It is a great feeling to partner with the Red Bulls and have a local event that our supporters in the area can attend. It will be great to play on the best pitch in the United States and to be able to play our rivals in what we believe is the premier soccer facility in the country. What better place to promote international and domestic goodwill than the cultural melting pot that we live in here in the New York-Metro area.”

Fifty percent of Mayor’s Cup tickets sold will be donated to the aforementioned foundations. Tickets can be purchased by logging on to www.newyorkredbulls.com/mayorscup or by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER.

“We are very excited about the upcoming match,” said Lt. Ronald Mejia, coach of the NYPD Soccer Team. “It’s an honor to play at the Red Bulls’ new stadium, and at the same time play for bragging rights and of course two great causes. The Fire Department has a solid soccer team and although we are rivals on game day, they are our best friends off the field. We support each other's causes and really look forward to August 28th when we face off. The Red Bulls have given our teams such a big opportunity that we cannot thank them enough.”

Last year’s Mayor’s Cup was won by the FDNY, who defeated the NYPD by a 3-0 score.

REAM, BOUNA LEADING THE WAY: New York rookie defender Tim Ream and goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul are the only players to have played every minute of the team’s 17 MLS regular season matches this year.

CLUB WAIVES WOLYNIEC: Red Bull New York announced on July 30 that it waived forward John Wolyniec.

“John is a true professional and a hard working player. We spoke to John about staying on with the club in another capacity but he expressed an interest in continuing on with his playing career. We wish him the best of luck in the future,” said Red Bull New York General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler.

This season, Wolyniec played in four regular season matches, starting in two. The Staten Island, NY native also recorded four goals in four Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup games. Wolyniec, who is second all-time in regular season games played with 142, was re-acquired by New York on Aug. 17, 2006 from the Los Angeles Galaxy for a 2007 fourth round SuperDraft pick and a 2008 second round SuperDraft pick to begin his third stint with the club.

MATCH TICKETS FOR SECOND HALF ON SALE: Match tickets for the second half of the Red Bulls’ season are on sale now. Fans can purchase Groups, Family Packs and individual match tickets for all Red Bulls’ matches in August and beyond by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER or by CLICKING HERE. The full schedule of matches that are on sale is as follows:

Wednesday, August 11: Red Bulls vs. Toronto FC - 7:30 PM
Saturday, August 14: Red Bulls vs. Los Angeles Galaxy – 6:00 PM – SOLD OUT
Saturday, August 28: Red Bulls vs. San Jose Earthquakes – 7:30 PM
Saturday, September 11: Red Bulls vs. Colorado Rapids – 4:00 PM
Saturday, October 2: Red Bulls vs. Kansas City Wizards – 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 9: Red Bulls vs. Real Salt Lake – 4:30 PM
Thursday, October 21: Red Bulls vs. New England Revolution – 7:30 PM.

SOLO FUTBOL AIRS SUNDAY: Red Bulls WADO 1280 AM and 92.7 FM announcers Ernesto Motta and Robert Sierra host their weekly call-in radio show, Solo Futbol, on Sunday night from 8-11 PM on WADO 1280 AM. Motta, Sierra and their panel of experts and guests analyze the Beautiful Game and the New York Red Bulls.