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New York Red Bulls

New York Red Bulls Weekly Update

January 17, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York Red Bulls News Release


RED BULLS DRAFT FORDHAM UNIVERSITY KEEPER RYAN MEARA IN 2012 MLS SUPERDRAFT

The New York Red Bulls selected goalkeeper and Fordham University product Ryan Meara in the second round of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft with the 31st overall pick last Thursday at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, MO.

Earlier in the day, the Red Bulls acquired 2008 MLS Best XI forward Kenny Cooper from the Portland Timbers for a 2013 MLS SuperDraft First Round pick and allocation money.

The 6-foot-4 goalkeeper played four years of college at Fordham University, registering 31 shutouts in 74 appearances. Meara collected a number of accolades in his final season as he was named the 2011 Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year and added to the All-Atlantic 10 Conference First Team. He also finished 11th overall in NCAA Division I play in goals against average (0.65).

Born in Yonkers and raised in Crestwood, the New York native played his high school days at Fordham Prep. In 2010 he was named Premier Development League Goalkeeper of the Year while playing for Ironbound Express.

NEW YORK ACQUIRES 2008 MLS BEST XI SELECTION KENNY COOPER

The New York Red Bulls announced last Thursday that they have acquired 2008 MLS Best XI forward Kenny Cooper from the Portland Timbers in exchange for New York's natural 2013 first round MLS SuperDraft pick and allocation money.

"We are ecstatic to bring in Kenny to our squad," said Red Bulls General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler. "He has an impressive track record in MLS and will certainly play a key role in our push to win the MLS Cup this season. Kenny is a forward we have been impressed with for a while. He brings a number of attributes to our squad that we are confident will help him succeed in our system. He is a proven goal scorer in Major League Soccer and he will give us another fantastic option in our attacking game."

"First of all, I want to thank the Timbers and their fans for their unbelievable support during my time there," Cooper said. "While I am sad to leave Portland, I am excited to start a new challenge and play for the New York Red Bulls. The Red Bulls have built one of the best squads in MLS and play in arguably the best stadium in the country. I cannot wait to get onto the field with my new teammates as I am confident that we can win a MLS Cup."

Cooper spent the 2011 season with the expansion Portland Timbers and featured in 34 games, starting 29. He led the team with eight goals, 78 shots and 30 shots on goal while also adding two assists. From 2009 until January 2011, Cooper was a member of German second division side 1860 Munich. During his time there, he played in 13 games and scored two goals. In 2010, he was loaned to English League Championship club Plymouth Argyle, whom he appeared for seven times.

Prior to his German stint, Cooper played for FC Dallas from 2006-09 and was a mainstay in the club's starting lineup. In 2006, his first year with the club, Cooper scored 11 goals and four assists in 31 games and was named the Team's Most Valuable Player. After playing just 14 games the following year due to injury, he bounced back with a breakthrough 2008 season which earned him a place in the MLS Best XI. Cooper led FC Dallas with 18 goals and was rewarded with the league's Comeback Player of the Year award. In all, Cooper appeared in 90 games for FC Dallas, scoring 40 goals and adding 10 assists.

Cooper began his professional career in England with Manchester United, but did not appear for the first team. He enjoyed a loan stint with English club Oldham Athletic in 2005, scoring three goals in seven games for the third division side. He has made 11 appearances for the U.S. Men's National team, scoring five goals.

RED BULLS SIGN SWEDISH DEFENDER MARKUS HOLGERSSON

The New York Red Bulls signed Swedish defender Markus Holgersson last Thursday. The 26-year-old will be added to New York's roster once he receives P-1 visa approval and passes a physical and the League gains receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.

"Markus is a strong, experienced defender who will bring immediate stability and leadership to our back line," said Red Bulls General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler. "Over the offseason, one of our priorities was to add more physical players and Markus certainly fits that bill. We are excited that he has decided to join New York."

Holgersson was most recently with Swedish Allsvenskan side, Helsingborg. From 2009, Holgersson made 80 appearances, scoring five goals and helping Helsingborg become the first Swedish club to win the League, Super Cup and Swedish Cup titles in the same year in 2011. Holgersson, a starter in central defense, also was a part of the 2010 squad that won the Swedish Cup and finished second in the Allsvenskan.

The 6-3 defender started his professional career in 2005 at Angelholms FF of Sweden's Superettan "" the country's second highest league. There, Holgersson featured in 89 games and recorded six goals. This month, Holgersson earned his first international call-up for the Swedish National Team.

RED BULLS ANNOUNCE PRESEASON TRAVEL SCHEDULE

The New York Red Bulls announced their preseason travel plans leading up to the start of the 2012 MLS Regular Season. The team's preseason tour includes stops in Mexico and Arizona before it returns to the New York area in early March ahead of its opening match of the 2012 season against FC Dallas on Sunday, March 11 at 3:00 PM ET at FC Dallas Stadium (TV: NBC Sports Network).

The Red Bulls reported to preseason camp on Monday, Jan. 16 at Red Bull Arena. On Monday, Jan. 30, the team departs for Riviera Maya, Mexico before returning to the New York area on Wednesday, Feb. 15. A full match schedule in Mexico will be released at a later date. The team embarks on its final trip of the preseason on Monday, Feb. 20, when it departs for Arizona to take part in the 2012 FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup.

New York will kick off the competition on Wednesday, Feb. 22 as it faces Real Salt Lake, and continues on Saturday, Feb. 25 against Eastern Conference rival, the New England Revolution. The Red Bulls' third match of the tournament is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 29 versus the defending MLS Cup Champion Los Angeles Galaxy. The competition concludes with the championship and third place matches on Saturday, March 3. The following day, the Red Bulls return to the New York area, concluding the preseason travel schedule.

This is the second straight year that the Red Bulls will spend preseason in both Mexico and Arizona. Please contact the Red Bulls Communications Department regarding media availability.

Below is a breakdown of the preseason schedule:

2012 New York Red Bulls Preseason Schedule

Monday, Jan. 16: Team reported to preseason camp at Red Bull Arena

Monday, Jan. 30: Team departs for Riviera Maya, Mexico

Wednesday, Feb 15: Team returns to New York area

Monday, Feb. 20: Team departs for Arizona

Wednesday, Feb. 22: Red Bulls vs. Real Salt Lake "" Desert Cup

Saturday, Feb. 25: Red Bulls vs. New England Revolution "" Desert Cup

Wednesday, Feb. 29: Red Bulls vs. Los Angeles Galaxy "" Desert Cup

Saturday, March 3: Desert Cup Finals and Third Place match

Sunday, March 4: Team returns to New York area

Sunday, March 11: Red Bulls vs. FC Dallas at FC Dallas Stadium at 3:00 PM ET (TV: NBC Sports Network)

MATCH ON MAY 19 VS. MONTREAL IMPACT MOVED TO 7:30 PM ET

The New York Red Bulls and Montreal Impact announced that the kickoff time for their match on May 19 at Olympic Stadium has moved from 2:00 PM ET to 7:30 PM ET to avoid a scheduling conflict with the UEFA Champions League Final taking place that day.

RED BULL THIERRY HENRY JOINS ARSENAL FC ON LOAN; SCORES GAME-WINNER IN RETURN

The New York Red Bulls reached an agreement Jan. 6 to send forward Thierry Henry to English Premiership Club, Arsenal FC, on a loan that will see New York's captain return to the Red Bulls by the middle of February.

Henry returned to his former club on Monday, Jan. 9 in a FA Cup Third Round match against Leeds United, coming on as a 68th minute substitute. The Frenchman made his impact felt just 10 minutes after coming onto the pitch, controlling an Alex Song through ball and curling it past goalkeeper Andy Lonergan, recording the game's only goal in a 1-0 victory. Henry was a second half substitute in a 3-2 loss to Swansea last Sunday.

The match against Leeds marked Henry's official return to Arsenal, the team where he became the club's most prolific striker and all-time leading scorer (227 goals for Arsenal in all competitions after the Leeds tally Monday).

"It is unreal to be honest. But when it comes to Arsenal my heart will always do the talking," the World Cup, European Championship and UEFA Champions League winner said at the time of the loan announcement.

"Once I knew the plan behind it I was OK with it. I am not coming here to be a hero or prove anything. I am just coming here to help. People have to understand that. Marouane (Chamakh) and Gervinho are going to the Africa Cup of Nations so I was asked to fill in the gap. It is a loan deal and I'll be on the bench most of the time. If I can make the bench that is! The boss has a team here already who are doing something good. I am just going to be part of the squad.

"I want to send a message to the fans of New York Red Bulls as well. I always said I would not play in Europe again. But it is hard for me when it comes to Arsenal. I am not coming here for the whole season, I will be back and I want to win the MLS Cup with the Red Bulls. I hope it is win-win situation where I can help Arsenal and come back fit for the MLS season."

"We believe that this is a beneficial move for all parties involved," said Red Bulls General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler. "From our perspective, we believe that Thierry will have the prime opportunity to develop his match fitness playing with Arsenal in preparation for our MLS regular season campaign. We are personally thrilled that Thierry has earned this chance to rejoin and help his former club and look forward to seeing him in preseason camp in February."

Henry was the Red Bulls' 2011 Most Valuable Player, taking home the club's Golden Boot after scoring a team-high 14 goals in the regular season. The Frenchman, who made the MLS All-Star Team and was part of MLS' season-ending Best XI, played in and started 26 games, logging 2,266 minutes and registering four assists in his first full season in the League. He also notched his first career MLS Cup Playoffs goal in New York's 2-0 victory over FC Dallas on Oct. 26 in the Wild Card round. His 14 regular season goals ranked third-best in MLS this season.

Henry was with Arsenal from 1999-07, becoming one of the side's all-time great players. The French marksman was the top scorer in the English Premiership (2002, 2004-06) a record four times and helped Arsenal win the Premiership championship in 2002 and 2004. The 32-year-old also helped lead his team to three English FA Cups and claimed the European Golden Boot in 2004 and 2005.

Henry will return to the New York Red Bulls in the middle of February and rejoin his teammates for their final weeks of preseason ahead of the team's season opener on Sunday, March 11 against FC Dallas at 3:00 PM ET at FC Dallas Stadium. The match will be televised live by NBC Sports Network "" the first MLS game broadcasted by the League's new national partner, NBC.

NEW YORK RELEASES 2012 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE

The New York Red Bulls released their 34-game Major League Soccer regular season schedule. Full season ticket plans for the Red Bulls' 2012 home campaign at Red Bull Arena are available now by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER or logging onto www.newyorkredbulls.com/tickets.

New York's home opener at Red Bull Arena will take place Sunday, March 25 against the Colorado Rapids at 4:00 PM ET and will be televised nationally on ESPN. The Red Bulls' open the regular season with a two-game road trip starting on Sunday, March 11 against FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park at 3:00 PM in a match to be televised live by NBC Sports Network "" the first MLS game broadcasted by the League's new national partner, NBC. On March 17, the Red Bulls will face Western Conference foe, Real Salt Lake, at 9:00 PM.

Each of the League's 19 clubs will play 34 matches, 17 at home and 17 away, during 34 weeks. Within each conference, each club will play the same number of in-conference and out-of-conference games, following the competition format announced on Nov. 20, 2011.

Less than a week after hosting the Rapids, the Red Bulls will take on expansion side, the Montreal Impact, at Red Bull Arena on March 31 at 4:00 PM in the first-ever MLS regular season match between the two sides. On May 5, New York travels to Los Angeles to take on the defending champion Galaxy in a 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs rematch in a match televised live on ESPN at 8:00 PM ET. The Red Bulls-Galaxy match is one of seven New York games that will be broadcast on the ESPN Networks.

New York welcomes Atlantic Cup rival, D.C. United, on June 24 at 7:00 PM (TV: NBCSN) for the first time in 2012 and begins a three-game homestand in July, facing Seattle Sounders FC on July 15 at 4:00 PM (TV: ESPN), Chicago Fire on July 18 with a 1:00 PM matinee kickoff start and I-95 foe, the Philadelphia Union, on July 21 at 2:30 PM (TV: ESPN).

Starting Aug. 26 at Kansas City, the Red Bulls will close the season against nine Eastern Conference opponents in the run-up to the MLS Cup Playoffs. In addition, the Red Bulls are a part of two of three nationally-televised MLS games that will be broadcast live on NBC, with New York hosting Chicago on Oct. 6 at 3:30 PM and the Red Bulls traveling to PPL Park to battle the Union on Oct. 27 at 1:30 PM in the regular season finale for both clubs.

Other highlights of the regular season schedule:

- The Red Bulls will play 25 matches against Eastern Conference teams and nine against Western Conference sides (New York will face each Western Conference team once). New York will battle Toronto FC and the Columbus Crew twice while facing each of the other Eastern Conference sides three times. Because of the unbalanced schedule format, the home and away fixtures will be reversed for the 2013 regular season (ie: If New York faces a Western Conference club on the road in the teams' only match against each other in 2012, New York will host that same side in the following season's fixture).

- New York is on the ESPN Networks seven times (four on ESPN, three on ESPN2), eight times on the NBC Sports Group (six on NBCSN, two on NBC) and six times on Galavision. The team's local broadcast schedule for the remaining matches will be announced at a later date.

- Taking into consideration fan feedback, the Red Bulls have scheduled additional afternoon matches, with seven of 17 home games having kickoff times taking place between 1:00 PM ET and 4:30 PM ET.

- More than 83% of all MLS games will take place on weekends or holidays, with every day of the week having at least one scheduled match during the year.

- The nine MLS games scheduled for Saturday, April 28 are set to break the League record for the most games in one day (previously eight, on March 26, 2011).

- MLS initially did not schedule any games on FIFA fixture dates, but the League afforded the option, only by mutual club consent, of moving a game to one of those dates when other scheduling conflicts could not be resolved. Thus a small number of games do occur on select FIFA fixture dates.

To view the full Red Bulls and MLS schedule, log onto www.newyorkredbulls.com and www.mlssoccer.com.

NEW YORK RED BULLS 2012 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE

# DATE OPPONENT VENUE HOME/AWAY TIME (ET)

1 Sunday, Mar 11 (NBCSN) Dallas Dallas Away 3:00

2 Saturday, Mar 17 Real Salt Lake Real Salt Lake Away 9:00

3 Sunday, Mar 25 (ESPN) Colorado New York Home 4:00

4 Saturday, Mar 31 Montreal New York Home 4:00

5 Saturday, Apr 7 (Galavision) Columbus Columbus Away 3:00

6 Saturday, Apr 14 San Jose New York Home 7:00

7 Sunday, Apr 22 (ESPN2) DC DC Away 6:00

8 Saturday, Apr 28 (NBCSN) New England New York Home 3:30

9 Saturday, May 5 (ESPN) LA Galaxy Los Angeles Away 8:00

10 Wednesday, May 9 Houston New York Home 7:00

11 Sunday, May 13 (ESPN2) Philadelphia Philadelphia Away 1:30

12 Saturday, May 19 Montreal Montreal Away 7:30

13 Wednesday, May 23 (Galavision) Chivas New York Home 7:00

14 Sunday, Jun 17 (NBCSN) Chicago Chicago Away 5:00

15 Wednesday, Jun 20 Vancouver Vancouver Away 11:00

16 Sunday, Jun 24 (NBC, NBCSN) DC New York Home 7:00

17 Saturday, Jun 30 (Galavision) Toronto Toronto Away 7:00

18 Sunday, Jul 8 (Galavision) New England New England Away 7:00

19 Sunday, Jul 15 (ESPN) Seattle New York Home 4:00

20 Wednesday, Jul 18 Chicago New York Home 1:00

21 Saturday, Jul 21 (ESPN) Philadelphia New York Home 2:30

22 Saturday, Jul 28 Montreal Montreal Away 7:00

23 Friday, Aug 3 (NBCSN) Houston Houston Away 8:00

24 Friday, Aug 10 (NBCSN) Houston New York Home 8:00

25 Sunday, Aug 19 (Galavision) Portland New York Home 7:00

26 Sunday, Aug 26 (ESPN2) Kansas City Kansas City Away 9:00

27 Wednesday, Aug 29 (Galavision) DC DC Away 8:00

28 Saturday, Sep 15 Columbus New York Home 7:00

29 Wednesday, Sep 19 Kansas City New York Home 7:00

30 Saturday, Sep 22 New England New England Away 7:30

31 Saturday, Sep 29 Toronto New York Home 7:00

32 Saturday, Oct 6 (NBC) Chicago New York Home 3:30

33 Saturday, Oct 20 Kansas City New York Home 7:00

34 Saturday, Oct 27 (NBC) Philadelphia Philadelphia Away 1:30

RED BULLS SIGN DEFENDER, NJ NATIVE JONATHAN BORRAJO

The New York Red Bulls announced Jan. 5 that it signed defender and Clifton, NJ native Jonathan Borrajo.

Borrajo most recently played for Hamarkameratene of Norway. Originally starting with the team in the Norway's Second Division, Borrajo played every game of his first season since his Aug. 2010 debut and helped his club earn promotion to the First Division. Overall, the full back made 36 appearances for Hamarkameratene.

"We believe that Jonathan is an exciting player who can compete for a spot in our starting lineup," said Red Bulls General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler. "Jonathan was an important part in helping his old team reach promotion to the Norwegian First Division and we are thrilled to be bringing in a young, local product to MLS and back to his hometown club."

Prior to joining Hamarkameratene, Borrajo featured for the Real Maryland Monarchs of the USL Second Division in 2009, serving as team captain and being the only player to feature in every minute of each match. He earned a spot on the USL Second Division All-League First Team for his efforts.

Borrajo attended George Mason University, being named to the All-CAA Second Team and CAA All-Tournament Team. During his four-year career at GMU, Borrajo featured in 77 games, recording two goals and four assists. The 24-year-old was a standout at Clifton High School, being named Team MVP and Best Defender while earning spots on the All-State and All-County teams. He has also featured in the Red Bulls Academy's Under-20 squad.

NEW YORK SIGNS ACADEMY DEFENDER CONNOR LADE

The New York Red Bulls announced Dec. 5 that it signed defender and Red Bulls Academy product, Connor Lade. Lade, a Convent Station, NJ native who most recently played four seasons at St. John's University, is the fifth Red Bulls Academy product to sign with the first team via the Home Grown Player Rule.

"Signing players from our academy has been one of our ongoing priorities. We believe that Connor can compete on the professional level after having four strong years in college soccer," said New York General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler. "We are thrilled to bring him into our squad and think that he has a bright future ahead of him."

"Playing for the Red Bulls Senior Team and in Major League Soccer is a dream that I have had since I was young. I want to thank my family and friends, St. John's and the Red Bulls for their support," Lade said. "I have worked hard to try and reach this point and I am excited to compete for my spot starting in January at our preseason camp."

In his senior year at St. John's, the 22-year-old started in each of the Red Storm's 18 games, playing every minute of every game for the second straight season and backstopping it to a BIG EAST Tournament Championship "" a competition in which he was name the Most Outstanding Defensive Player. Lade earned Second Team All-BIG EAST honors in 2011 after making the Third Team as a junior and helped the defense record a scoreless streak of 647 minutes and four seconds "" the third-longest in school history. He made 60 consecutive starts and amassed 81 appearances during his four years.

Lade attended Morristown High School and was a three-time First Team All-Conference, All-State and All-County selection. He became a member of the Red Bulls Academy in Dec. 2007 and was part of the Under-18 U.S. Development Academy squad and the 2009 Super-Y League championship-winning Under-20 team with current Red Bull Matt Kassel. Lade joins Kassel, Juan Agudelo, Sacir Hot and Giorgi Chirgadze as former Academy players who have graduated to the Red Bulls First Team.

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