JACKSONVILLE, FL (February 12, 2014) – First half goals from Lloyd Sam and Thierry Henry helped the New York Red Bulls earn their first preseason victory of the year – a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Union Wednesday evening at a rainy EverBank Park.
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The Red Bulls took the lead in the eighth minute moments after New York goalkeeper Luis Robles made a stellar save on a Jack McInerney blast to keep the tie scoreless. Sam was freed on the right wing and drove towards goal before firing a deflected attempt that bounded into the back of the net.
New York nearly doubled its lead in the 27th minute, as Henry slid the ball through to Tim Cahill, who pushed it past goalkeeper Zac MacMath and just past the right post. Philadelphia tied the game two minutes later. After earning a free kick inside of the penalty box, Vincent Nogueira teed it up for McInerney and the Union forward ripped a low shot to make the score even at one.
The Red Bulls retook the lead less than 10 minutes before the break. Cahill was able to keep possession and found Sam on the right wing. Sam hit a low cross towards the top of the box and Henry rifled it first time with his right foot past MacMath and into the lower right hand corner of the goal.
Both teams had chances to score in the second half. For New York, forward Andre Akpan touched it to Bradley Wright-Phillips in the box. Wright-Phillips poked an attempt on target and Union goalkeeper Andre Blake was off his line to make the stop in the 63rd minute. Five minutes later, following a Union corner kick, Pedro Ribeiro was first to a loose ball and skied it over the crossbar. Blake kept the scoreline at 2-1 with a pair of back-to-back saves on Eric Alexander and Amando Moreno seven minutes from full time.
New York returns to preseason action on Wednesday, Feb. 19 when it faces defending MLS Cup Champion, Sporting Kansas City, as part of the Disney Pro Soccer Classic at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at 3:00 PM. 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 2, Philadelphia Union 1
February 12, 2014
MLS Preseason
Scoring Summary:
NY: Lloyd Sam 1 (unassisted) 8’
PHI: Jack McInerney 1 (Vincent Nogueira 1) 29’
NY: Thierry Henry 1 (Lloyd Sam 1, Tim Cahill 1) 36’
Disciplinary Summary:
NY: Eric Alexander (caution) 80’
New York Red Bulls (First Half) – Luis Robles, Kosuke Kimura, Jamison Olave, Armando, Bobby Convey, Lloyd Sam, Peguy Luyindula, Dax McCarty, Jonny Steele, Tim Cahill, Thierry Henry
New York Red Bulls (Second Half) – Luis Robles (Santiago Castano 70’), Richard Eckersley (Chris Duvall* 80’), Armando (Ambroise Oyongo* 70’), Ibrahim Sekagya, Roy Miller, Eric Stevenson, Michael Bustamante, Eric Alexander, Marius Obekop (Ruben Bover 70’), Andre Akpan (Amando Moreno 81’), Bradley Wright-Phillips
Philadelphia Union (First Half) – Zac MacMath, Sheanon Williams, Amobi Okugo, Richard Marquez, Fabinho, Brian Carroll, Maurice Edu, Vincent Nogueira, Cristian Maidana, Danny Cruz, Jack McInerney
Philadelphia Union (Second Half) – Andre Blake, Robert Derschang, Ethan White, Aaron Wheeler, Raymon Gaddis, Aodhan Quinn, Leo Fernandes, Keon Daniel, Corben Bone, Pedro Ribeiro, Sebastien Le Toux
- Guest Player
Referee: Chris Penso
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 vs. Sporting Kansas City at 3:00 PM (Disney Pro Soccer Classic)
Feb. 22: Red Bulls vs. Montreal Impact at 6:00 PM (Disney Pro Soccer Classic)
Feb. 26: Red Bulls vs. Fluminense FC Under-23s at 3:00 PM (Disney Pro Soccer Classic)
March 1: Final Disney Pro Soccer Classic match (opponent, time TBD)
March 2: Return to NY/NJ area
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
