RED BULLS FACE CHICAGO IN U.S. OPEN CUP QUARTERFINALS TUESDAY: The Red Bulls look to advance to the U.S. Open Cup semifinals for the first time since they reached the final in 2003 when they travel to Chicago to face the Fire on Tuesday night in a quarterfinals battle at 8:30 PM ET. The game will be streamed live via the Fire’s website at www.chicago-fire.com.
The Red Bulls advanced to the quarterfinals by virtue of a 2-1 victory over USL Pro side FC New York back on June 28 at Red Bull Arena. It was the Red Bulls’ first match of the 2011 Cup campaign, as they automatically qualified for the third round based on last year’s finish atop the MLS Eastern Conference. In the victory over FC New York, Corey Hertzog and John Rooney both scored to help the Red Bulls come back from a one goal second half deficit.
Chicago is into the quarterfinals thanks to a 1-0 victory over the Rochester Rhinos of on June 28. New York and Chicago have met one previous time in the U.S. Open Cup when they met in the finals of the 2003 tournament. Chicago took home its third Cup crown, defeating New York 1-0 on oct. 15 at Giants Stadium on Damani Ralph’s 68th minute goal. The winner of the Red Bulls-Fire match will take on the winner of the quarterfinals match between Sporting Kansas City (MLS) and the Richmond Kickers (USL Pro), which also takes place on Tuesday at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in Kansas City, KS.
If the Red Bulls and Sporting Kansas City advance Tuesday, New York would travel to face their Eastern Conference rival at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park on Aug. 30 at 8:30 PM ET. If Richmond wins, the Red Bulls would host the Kickers at Red Bull Arena on Aug. 30 at 8:00 PM ET.
RED BULLS BEGIN TWO-GAME ROAD SWING AT CHIVAS USA ON SATURDAY: After two straight matches at home, the Red Bulls return to the road for two matches beginning on Saturday when they take on Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center at 10:30 PM ET (TV: MSG/Galavision; Radio: WADO 1280 AM).
New York comes into the match tied for first place in the Eastern Conference on 28 points with a record of 6-4-10. The Red Bulls retained the Atlantic Cup but fell 1-0 in their last contest to D.C. United on Saturday at Red Bull Arena, midfielder Dwayne De Rosario scored his first goal as a United player. Four days earlier, the Red Bulls knocked off Toronto FC 5-0 at Red Bull Arena, marking their top scoring output of the season. In the shutout victory, Juan Agudelo came off the bench to score twice for the Red Bulls, who also got goals from Thierry Henry, Luke Rodgers and Joel Lindpere.
Chivas USA earned four points in two matches last week, nearly coming away with two wins. In its last match on Saturday at Sporting Kansas City, Chivas appeared to have locked up all three points, with a one-goal lead in second half stoppage time thanks to Nick LaBrocca’s first half strike. But Sporting leveled the match on Omar Bravo’s fourth goal of the year in the 93rd minute, forcing a share of the points. Earlier in the week on Wednesday, Chivas earned its fifth win of the season, a 2-0 road victory over the San Jose Earthquakes. Second half goals from Ben Zemanski and LaBrocca paced the Goats, who got a shutout from keeper Dan Kennedy. Chivas currently sits in sixth place in the Western Conference with a 5-7-7 record and 22 points.
This will be the second meeting between the teams this season. Back on May 15 at Red Bull Arena, Chivas upended the Red Bulls 3-2 in a back-and-forth affair. The teams traded goals throughout, with Chivas forward Justin Braun notching his first career hat trick. New York twice leveled the match on goals from Henry and De Rosario, but Braun found the winner in the 56th minute. All-time against Chivas USA, the Red Bulls are 4-5-4 overall, and 1-2-3 at the Home Depot Center. In the season series last year, both teams held serve at home; Chivas ousted New York 2-0 on April 10 at the Home Depot Center, while the Red Bulls earned a 1-0 decision at Red Bull Arena on June 5.
RED BULLS – CHIVAS USA CONNECTIONS: Chivas USA defender Andrew Boyens was a member of the Red Bulls from 2008-2010. The New Zealand International was a part of the Red Bulls’ 2008 Western Conference Championship side, playing in two playoff games during the team’s run to the MLS Cup Final. During his three seasons with the team, Boyens played in 33 MLS Regular Season games, starting 30.
Goalkeeper Zach Thornton played for New York over two stints. He was taken by New York in the 1996 Draft, and played in six games with the team from 1996-97. He returned to the club during the 2008 season, but did not feature for the first team in regular season play. He did make one start in 2008 in the U.S. Open Cup.
LAST WEEK: Red Bulls 5, Toronto FC 0 at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday, July 6
Red Bulls 0, D.C. United 1 at Red Bull Arena on Saturday, July 9
THIS WEEK: Red Bulls at Chicago Fire at TOYOTA Park on Tuesday, July 12 at 8:30 PM ET (U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals)
Red Bulls at Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center on Saturday, July 16 at 10:30 PM ET (TV: MSG; Radio: WADO 1280 AM)
NEXT WEEK: Red Bulls at Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Wednesday, July 20 at 9:30 PM ET (TV: MSG Plus; Radio: TBA)
Red Bulls vs. FC Dallas at Red Bull Arena on Saturday, July 23 at 6:00 PM ET (TV: MSG/Galavision; Radio: WADO 1280 AM).
RED BULLS RETAIN ATLANTIC CUP BUT FALL TO D.C. UNITED, 1-0: The New York Red Bulls won the Atlantic Cup for the second straight year, but dropped a 1-0 decision to D.C. United Saturday night in front of 22,200 spectators. Midfielder Dwayne De Rosario scored the only goal of the match, as the loss brought the Red Bulls’ record to 6-4-10, 28 points. The Red Bulls held onto the Atlantic Cup – the winner of the annual New York-D.C. regular season series – by virtue of total goals scored in the two matches played (New York had a 4-1 advantage).
The teams were evenly matched through the first 45 minutes, with both looking to establish a foothold in the game. In the 5th minute, Luke Rodgers set up Joel Lindpere at the top of the box, but the Estonian’s shot sailed over the bar. Four minutes later, United tried to nab the first goal of the game when Josh Wolff hit a long-range effort, but Red Bulls goalkeeper Greg Sutton was able to catch the shot.
United’s best chance of the first half came in the 43rd minute. However, the visitors were thwarted by Tim Ream’s excellent defense. Chris Pontius freed Charlie Davies behind the Red Bulls’ back line and Davies took a touch around Sutton. Davies’ touch forced him to take a sharp angled shot towards the vacated net and Ream made a sliding save to knock the ball out and keep the game scoreless after the first half.
Five minutes after the restart, Thierry Henry nearly took advantage of a D.C. turnover at the back. Daniel Woolard’s back pass eluded its target and resulted in a loose ball towards the United area. Henry was able to outmuscle Ethan White, gained control of the ball in the box, and took a left footed shot form close range that was parried away by Bill Hamid.
Former Red Bull De Rosario scored his first goal in a D.C. United uniform to give the visitors the lead in the 61st minute. Andy Najar sent a short pass that De Rosario dummied along to Wolff. Wolff one-timed a through ball to De Rosario in stride in the box and the midfielder fired a left footed shot that hit off the left post and bounded across the line. De Rosario was traded by New York to D.C. United on June 27 in exchange for Dax McCarty.
New York tried for the equalizer right away when Mehdi Ballouchy played Rodgers behind the United defense, but the Englishman’s left-footed shot bounced wide of the far post. New York’s final effort came in second half stoppage time on a corner kick by McCarty, but the D.C. United defense stayed strong and cleared the ball away to safety, preserving the shutout.
OFFENSIVE OUTBURST FUELS RED BULLS TO 5-0 WIN OVER TORONTO FC: The New York Red Bulls earned a 5-0 victory over Toronto FC at Red Bull Arena Wednesday night. Thierry Henry’s league-leading ninth goal of the season sent the Red Bulls on their way, while Juan Agudelo scored two goals and reigning MLS Player of the Week Joel Lindpere added a goal and two assists.
The Red Bulls’ five goals on the night were the most they have scored in a match since defeating Toronto FC by an identical score on Oct. 24, 2009 at Giants Stadium.
New York nearly found the game’s first goal in the 16th minute. Henry received a pass from Lindpere and dribbled down the left side into the penalty area. He centered a pass towards the middle of the box to Dane Richards, who just missed the net with a first-time effort.
Joao Plata was Toronto’s most dangerous player in the first half, registering three of the club’s four shots in the opening stanza. In the 20th minute, the forward took the ball from his own half, and made a darting run down the right side. At the top of the box, he cut the ball to his left foot and fired a shot on net. But goalkeeper Greg Sutton was up to the task, making one of his five saves on the night.
In the 33rd minute, New York got the opening goal. Carlos Mendes played a ball out to Jan Gunnar Solli, who came down the right side and drove a low cross into the penalty area. The ball made its way past a charging Luke Rodgers and to the feet of an unmarked Henry, who made no mistake with his finish.
Five minutes later, Rodgers doubled the Red Bulls’ advantage, with Solli again providing the service. On the right side, Solli took a pass from Teemu Tainio and fed the ball towards the middle to Rodgers, who was near the top of the box to the right of goal. Rodgers took a touch with his left foot, and with the ball in midair, unleashed a volley to the far post that beat goalkeeper Stefan Frei.
Toronto came inches from closing the gap just after the intermission. In the 52nd minute, Plata intercepted a pass from the Red Bulls defense and set up Javier Martina at the top of the box. Martina’s shot caused Sutton to make a diving stop, as the ‘keeper pushed the ball off the post and collected the rebound.
Seconds later, Lindpere scored his fifth goal of the season to put New York up, 3-0. On the counterattack, Dane Richards streaked down the right flank and sent the ball to Lindpere just outside of the box. From there, the Estonian rifled a low shot past the outstretched hand of Frei and inside the left post. The goal was Lindpere’s fourth in the past three games.
Agudelo replaced Rodgers in the 56th minute of the match, and scored his third goal of the season 11 minutes later. In open play, Agudelo’s close-range shot was saved by Frei and bounded out for a corner kick. On the ensuing set piece sent in by Lindpere, Agudelo rose above Toronto defender Ty Harden and headed the ball into the top right corner of the net.
Agudelo scored his second goal of the game with one minute of regular time remaining, again combining with Lindpere. Lindpere collected a failed clearance by the Toronto defense on the left side of the box, and picked out Agudelo in the center of the area. The U.S International deposited the ball into the back of the net, notching his first career MLS multi-goal game.
HENRY, MARQUEZ, REAM VOTED TO MLS ALL-STAR FIRST XI: New York Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry and defenders Rafa Márquez and Tim Ream were selected to the 2011 MLS All-Star First XI. This is the first MLS All-Star selection for all three players, who will be part of the squad that will face English Premier League champion, Manchester United, in the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game at Red Bull Arena – the home of the Red Bulls located in Harrison, NJ.
The First XI received the most votes at their respective positions from combined fan voting on three platforms – online at MLSsoccer.com, via text message, and via Twitter. The online and text voting ballot consisted of six players from each club, as chosen by a panel of media members. The First XI is not necessarily the starting lineup. Red Bulls and MLS All-Star coach Hans Backe will select the starters based on player availability and tactical considerations. If First XI selections are unavailable due to injury, international duty or other commitments, Backe will select alternates for the game day roster, but all First XI players are All-Stars. Only the Los Angeles Galaxy had more players selected from one MLS team (4).
Henry is tied with fellow All-Star selection and Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan for the lead in MLS in goals scored this season with nine. The World Cup, UEFA Champions League and European Championship winner has played in 15 games this season, while also notching four assists and 17 shots on goal – a team high. The French Designated Player signed with New York on July 14, 2010 from FC Barcelona and had two goals and three assists in 11 regular season appearances.
Mexican National Team captain Márquez joined the Red Bulls from FC Barcelona during the 2010 season as a Designated Player. A savvy defender with excellent distribution abilities, Márquez has helped the Red Bulls to a 6-4-10 record. He has contributed one assist while starting in nine games this season, missing a significant portion of time due to 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup duty and helping Mexico win the championship. In 2010, Márquez chipped in with a goal and an assist in 10 games.
Ream, a finalist for the 2010 Rookie of the Year award, has been a consistent presence on the Red Bulls’ back line. He has started and played in 14 of the Red Bulls’ 20 games this year. Between April 9, 2011 and May 7, 2011, Ream helped anchor a Red Bulls defense that did not allow a goal in 333 consecutive minutes. Drafted in the second round (18th overall) out of Saint Louis University in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, Ream was part of the United States’ 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup squad and has earned seven caps. In 2010, Ream was voted Red Bulls Defender of the Year after leading the league and club in games played (30) and minutes played (2700).
AGUDELO GETS FIRST CAREER BRACE: Juan Agudelo came off the bench to score the fourth and fifth Red Bulls goals in the team’s 5-0 defeat over Toronto FC on Wednesday. It was the first two-goal game in the career of the U.S. International. His two-goal effort off the bench was the first time a Red Bull achieved that feat since Edson Buddle had a hat trick off the bench in a 6-0 win over Real Salt Lake on August 26, 2006. The brace brought Agudelo’s goal total to four this season.
HENRY TIED ATOP MLS IN GOALS SCORED: Red Bulls captain and forward Thierry Henry is tied atop Major League Soccer in goals scored with nine. Teammate Luke Rodgers’s six goals ties him for the sixth best mark in the league. The Henry-Rodgers duo is the highest scoring pair of teammates in the league this season.
2011 MLS GOALS LEADERS
Player (Team)), Goals
T-1 Thierry Henry (NY), 9
T-1. Landon Donovan (LA), 9
T-3. Charlie Davies (DC), 8
T-3. Brek Shea (FCD), 8
5. Andres Mendoza (CLB), 7
T-6. Luke Rodgers (NY), 6
T-6. 7 others, 6
LINDPERE CONTINUES TO SHINE: After being named the MLS Player of the Week for Week 16 last Tuesday, Joel Lindpere continued his top-flight play in the Red Bulls’ 5-0 victory over Toronto FC on Wednesday. Lindpere scored the Red Bulls’ third goal in the 52nd minute, and then set up Juan Agudelo on both of his goals to close out the scoring.
MENDES INCHING UP CLUB’S ALL-TIME GAMES PLAYED LIST: Red Bulls defender Carlos Mendes sits in third place on the club’s all-time list in regular season games played. The Mineola, NY native made his 139th appearance on Saturday against D.C. United
ALL-TIME NY REGULAR SEASON GAMES PLAYED
Player, Games Played
1. Mike Petke, 169
T-2. Seth Stammler, 142
T-2. John Wolyniec, 142
3. Carlos Mendes, 139
BACKE RECORD STILL INTACT: By virtue of their 5-0 win over Toronto on Wednesday, the Red Bulls remain unbeaten when they score the first goal under head coach Hans Backe. In 2010 and 2011 combined, New York has posted a record of 20-0-8 in games where they opened the scoring.
RED BULLS TO HOLD OPEN PRACTICE IN NYC AUGUST 9: Red Bull New York announced that the team will hold an open practice in New York City as part of the club’s initiative to give fans a unique experience and access to the team. The practice will take place Tuesday, August 9 at Hudson River Park’s Chelsea Waterside Park in Manhattan from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
The practice, which is designed to give fans an up-close and personal look into the players’ training and preparation, will be held in Manhattan’s historic Chelsea section, along the Hudson River on the West Side. General admission for the practice is free and tickets are not required.
“We are thrilled at the opportunity to practice in New York City and give our fans a chance to see our team’s training and preparation,” said Red Bulls Sporting Director Erik Soler. “Hudson River Park is a fantastic venue and we are excited to have a chance to train there.”
Please visit www.newyorkredbulls.com/openpractice for more information.
“Hudson River Park is thrilled to partner and host the New York Red Bulls Open Practice on August 9,” said David Katz, Vice President of Marketing and Events for Hudson River Park Trust. “Being a chief proponent and provider of public recreational field space in Manhattan, the ability for the community at large to experience top-flight athletes in action on our fields furthers the overall mission of the park.”
WHAT: New York Red Bulls open practice
WHEN: Tuesday, August 9, 2011, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
WHERE: Hudson River Park’s Chelsea Waterside Park
West 23rd Street and 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
For more information on the Hudson River Park’s Chelsea Waterside Park, please visit www.hudsonriverpark.org.
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS FOR 2011 MLS ALL-STAR GAME AT RBA SOLD OUT: Major League Soccer and Red Bull New York announced that individual tickets to the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on July 27 at Red Bull Arena featuring the MLS All-Stars against Manchester United are sold out to the general public. A limited amount of seats are still available through the All-Star Bulls Eye Plan offered exclusively through the New York Red Bulls by calling 1-877-RBSOCCER or logging onto www.newyorkredbulls.com. The match will be telecast live on ESPN2, Galavision, and TSN at 8:30 PM ET.
This year’s All-Star Game will mark the third time the metropolitan New York area has hosted the mid-summer showcase; the inaugural MLS All-Star Game in 1996 and the second in 1997 were played at Giants Stadium. The 25,000-seat, state-of-the-art Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey has played host to multiple friendlies between the Red Bulls and international clubs, along with select national team matches, but the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game will be the first marquee MLS event at the $200 million dollar venue. The MLS All-Stars will be led by New York Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe.
English Premier League Champions Manchester United returns as MLS’ All-Star opponent for the second year in a row. Manchester United is coming off a season which saw them capture the 2011 English Premier League title and reach the final of the UEFA Champions League. They are led by manager Sir Alex Ferguson and boast some of the world’s top players, including strikers Wayne Rooney and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, and defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
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.
