RED BULLS HEAD TO HOUSTON LOOKING TO EXTEND UNBEATEN STREAK TO FOUR GAMES
Following a dramatic come-from-behind draw against Toronto FC last Friday, the New York Red Bulls head to Texas to take on the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium on Friday, July 4. Friday’s match marks the second of three meetings between the two clubs this season. The match will be televised nationally on NBC Sports Network with kickoff set for 8:30 PM ET.
The Red Bulls enter Friday’s match against Houston riding a three-game unbeaten streak. Prior to the league-wide FIFA World Cup Break, the Red Bulls earned a 1-1 tie at Kansas City, a 2-0 win at New England and in their return to MLS regular-season action, played to a 2-2 draw with Toronto FC last Friday at Red Bull Arena
New York holds a 9-3-7 advantage in the all-time regular-season series, including a 2-3-4 record in Houston. Bradley Wright-Phillips recorded a hat trick in the first meeting between the teams at Red Bull Arena on April 23 in a 4-0 win for the Red Bulls.
THIS WEEK
Red Bulls at Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas, July 4 at 8:30 PM (TV – NBC Sports Network)
NEXT WEEK
Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew at Red Bull Arena on Saturday, July 12 at 7:00 PM (TV – MSG)
MATCH RECAP: NEW YORK RED BULLS 2, TORONTO FC 2
WRIGHT-PHILLIPS REGAINS LEAD IN GOLDEN BOOT RACE
Bradley Wright-Phillips and the New York Red Bulls left it late against Toronto FC last Friday, but the Englishman found an equalizer for his club to propel him back to the top of the Golden Boot race with his 12th goal of the season. Wright-Phillips moved past Sporting Kansas City’s Dom Dwyer (11 goals) with the goal.
With the Red Bulls trailing 2-1 in added time in the second half, center back Matt Miazga played a long ball into the box and onto the head of Tim Cahill. Cahill, who came on in the 78th minute, headed a ball towards Wright-Phillips, who hit a left-footed volley past Toronto FC goalkeeper Joe Bendik and into the back of the net. Wright-Phillips’ goal salvaged a point at home for his club and extended their unbeaten streak to three games (1-0-2).
Wright-Phillips, now in his first full season with the Red Bulls, also leads the league in shots on goal (25), two ahead of Dwyer.
BIG NIGHT FOR OYONGO
Ambroise Oyongo made his first career MLS start against Toronto FC last Friday in a 2-2 draw at Red Bull Arena. Oyongo, who got the nod at left back, played 86 minutes before being replaced by Bobby Convey. Oyongo looked strong on the left side, marking Toronto’s Dominic Oduro for most of Friday’s match.
Along with making his first career start, Oyongo recorded his first career MLS assist on Peguy Luyindula’s first-half goal. After making a great run down the left flank, Thierry Henry found Oyongo with a through ball into the box. Oyongo cut the ball back onto his right foot from just inside the 18-yard-box and played a cross into the middle that Luyindula headed home to the far post. The goal was Luyindula’s fourth of the season.
Oyongo, in his first season with the Red Bulls and MLS, signed with the club in early March 2014. He earned the start in the Red Bulls’ U.S. Open Cup game against the New York Cosmos on June 14.
RED BULLS AT THE WORLD CUP: ROY MILLER, COSTA RICA ADVANCE, CAHILL RETURNS
The Red Bulls saw the return of one World Cup performer last Friday against Toronto FC when Tim Cahill made a second-half substitute appearance in a 2-2 draw. However, the club will be without its second participant, Roy Miller, for at least another week.
Miller and Costa Rica advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup with a win over Greece last Sunday. After taking a 1-0 lead in the 52nd minute, Los Ticos saw their lead vanish in added time when Sokratis Papastathopoulos equalized in the 91st minute. After two scoreless halves of extra time, Costa Rica converted all five penalties in a penalty shootout to advance to the quarterfinals. Costa Rica will take on the Netherlands on Saturday, July 5.
After an impressive showing for Australia in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Red Bulls midfielder Cahill returned to the states following his team’s elimination in the group stage. The Socceroos went 0-0-3 in group stage, but that didn’t stop Cahill from adding to his legend with the Australian National Team. Cahill scored two goals in two games for Australia, including one that many pundits are considering the goal of the tournament so far (watch below). Cahill was unavailable for Australia’s third and final game against Spain after picking up yellow cards against Chile and the Netherlands.
FOUR RED BULLS EITHER LEAD OR IN TOP THREE IN FOUR STAT CATEGORIES
Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips leads the MLS Golden Boot standings with 12 goals after scoring against Toronto FC last Friday. New York midfielder Lloyd Sam and forward Thierry Henry are tied for third in MLS in assists with six apiece. Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles made five saves in a 2-2 draw against Toronto FC last Friday, keeping him atop the list of saves leaders with 59. Link: MLS STATISTICS
