May 22, 2013
75
Games Today




Weekly Update: Red Bulls Shift Focus to Open Cup, Battling Charleston Battery Tuesday

May 29, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS) New York Red Bulls

RED BULLS SHIFT FOCUS TO OPEN CUP TUESDAY AT CHARLESTON BATTERY

Taking a break from the MLS regular season, the New York Red Bulls begin their 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Campaign on Tuesday when they visit USL PRO side, the Charleston Battery, in a third round tilt at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, SC (Kickoff: 7:30 PM). The match will be streamed live at USLNation.com.

The Red Bulls come into this season's Open Cup campaign with a 14-13 (18-15 including play-in matches) all-time record in the competition. Last season, the Red Bulls advanced to the quarterfinals before being ousted by the Chicago Fire. The team's best run in the tournament came in 2003, when New York reached the Finals but were unable to complete the run, falling 1-0 to Chicago. John Wolyniec is the team's all-time leading scorer during Open Cup play, with seven goals.

Charleston advanced to the third round by defeating Reading United AC, 2-1, in the second round back on May 22. After a scoreless first frame, the Battery fell behind by a goal before rallying with goals from Dane Kelly and Nicki Paterson, with Paterson's 79th minute free kick proving to be the difference. In USL PRO play this season, Charleston is 5-2-0 (15 pts.), putting them in third place in the 11-team division. Paterson leads the team in scoring, with four goals in all competitions in 2012.

New York is 0-2 all-time against Charleston in the U.S. Open Cup, getting knocked out in the Second Round on June 26, 2001, 4-1, and in the Fourth Round on July 20, 2004, 1-0. Current Red Bulls goalkeeping coach Todd Hoffard started in goal for Charleston in the 2001 matchup.

Should the Red Bulls advance, they would either host the New England Revolution or visit the Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) on Tuesday, June 5 depending on the winner of that third round match.

LAST WEEK

Red Bulls 1, Chivas USA 1 on Wednesday, May 23 at Red Bull Arena

THIS WEEK

2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Third Round "" Red Bulls at Charleston Battery on Tuesday, May 29 at Blackbaud Stadium at 7:30 PM ET (Match will be streamed live on USLNation.com)

NEXT WEEK

If Red Bulls advance: 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round "" Red Bulls will host New England Revolution on Tuesday, June 5 at time 7:00 PM OR visit Harrisburg City Islanders on Tuesday, June 5 at time 7:30 PM.

RED BULLS RUN UNBEATEN STREAK TO SIX WITH 1-1 DRAW VS. CHIVAS USA

The New York Red Bulls remained unbeaten in their last six games, earning a 1-1 draw with Chivas USA on May 23 at Red Bull Arena. Kenny Cooper's team and league-leading 11th goal of the year was cancelled out by Chivas forward Juan Pablo Angel's opening strike.

Each team created a solid scoring opportunity in the game's opening minutes. In the 2nd minute, Chivas USA midfielder Nick LaBrocca tried his luck from about 25-yards out, but Ryan Meara dove to his right to keep out the New Jersey native's left-footed attempt. Ten minutes later, Thierry Henry, who returned to action Wednesday after missing four matches with a right hamstring strain, one-timed a Cooper feed from 20 yards out and was unable to curl the ball on frame.

In the 25th minute, Angel nearly gave the visitors the lead. The Colombian received a pass inside the box, and fired low, left-footed shot that evaded Meara and ricocheted off the right post. New York answered with another crack at goal in the 39th minute, when defender Roy Miller capped off a mazy run with an angled shot from the corner of the six yard box that rolled wide.

Just two minutes after the restart, Angel scored his second goal of the season to give Chivas the advantage. Chivas earned a corner kick, which Blair Gavin sent into the box. Rauwshan McKenzie rose above his defender and headed the ball in the direction of Angel, who volleyed it over his shoulder and into the net.

New York equalized in the 56th minute on a picture-perfect passing play. From his right fullback position, Brandon Barklage played a through ball down the right flank to Dane Richards, who was in behind the Chivas defense. Richards dribbled towards the endline and sent in a low cross to the back post, where Cooper had made his run. New York's leading scorer easily tapped the ball into the vacant net.

Henry almost found the winner for New York on 78 minutes, nodding a headed pass from Cooper wide of the left post. Four minutes later, Dax McCarty nearly won it for the Red Bulls, but his header off a corner kick was cleared off the line by Chivas defender Ante Jazic.

FANTASTIC FOUR

Red Bulls forward Kenny Cooper has a goal in each of his last four matches, most recently notching the tying goal in New York's 1-1 draw with Chivas USA last Wednesday. The goal was Cooper's team-best 11th of the season, which puts him in a tie atop MLS' goal scoring list with San Jose forward Chris Wondolowski.

GREAT DANE

Red Bulls midfielder Dane Richards is now third on the club's all-time regular season games played list. With his appearance on May 23 against Chivas USA, Richards passed Seth Stammler and John Wolyniec to move into sole possession of third place. Richards now only trails Carlos Mendes (146) and Mike Petke (169) in all-time games played.

Additionally, Richards' assist on Kenny Cooper's game-tying goal was his 26th career assist in the regular season, which is third-best in New York history. Richards is ten assists behind Tab Ramos and Amado Guevara, who lead the club in all-time assists.

RETURN OF HENRY

Red Bulls captain and forward Thierry Henry made his return to the lineup last Wednesday vs. Chivas USA after missing the past four matches with a strained right hamstring. Henry started and played the full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw. Henry, Major League Soccer's Player of the Month for March, is currently second on the team and third in MLS with nine goals and leads the Red Bulls with five assists.

PEARCE DEBUT

Defender Heath Pearce made his Red Bulls debut on May 19 against the Montreal Impact, starting the match and playing all 90 minutes in New York's 2-1 victory. Pearce had played in 10 matches for Chivas USA this season before being dealt to New York on May 17 in exchange for Juan Agudelo. The California-born Pearce has made 76 career MLS appearances with 10 assists, and has also earned 35 caps for the United States National Team.

FOUR RED BULLS CALLED IN FOR INTERNATIONAL DUTY

The New York Red Bulls announced that Roy Miller (Costa Rica), Rafa Marquez (Mexico), Joel Lindpere (Estonia) and Dane Richards (Jamaica) have all been called up by their respective national teams for upcoming friendly matches at the end of May. Miller, Marquez and Richards will spend additional time away as their teams will begin qualification in the CONCACAF region for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Miller joined his native Costa Rica for a home-and-home pair of friendlies with CONCACAF rivals Guatemala. Costa Rica won the first match on May 25 by a 3-2 score. Miller, however, did not feature in the game. The teams will rematch on June 1 in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Costa Rica will begin play in Group B of CONCACAF's World Cup Qualifying group stage on June 8 when they host El Salvador. The Ticos then continue qualifying on June 12 when they visit Guyana in Georgetown. The defender has received 27 caps for the Ticos in his international career. Miller is off to a hot start for New York this season, propelling a potent attack with four assists in ten games.

Marquez earned his 111th cap for Mexico this past Sunday when El Tri defeated Wales, 2-0, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. Marquez came off the bench to replace Pablo Barrera in the 77th minute. Mexico will take on Bosnia-Herzegovina on May 31 in an international friendly in Chicago, before their final tune-up for World Cup qualifying against five-time World Cup winners Brazil in a friendly on June 3 in Arlington, TX. El Tri then begins the Group Stage of World Cup Qualifying on June 8 when they host Guyana and continues four days later in a road tilt against El Salvador. Marquez has recorded two assists in six games so far this season with the Red Bulls.

Lindpere is currently with the Estonia National Team and made his 78th international appearance on May 28 in a 4-0 loss to Ukraine. Three days earlier, Estonia fell, 3-1, to Croatia. Estonia will also host Finland in Tartu, Estonia on June 1 and visit France on June 5. Lindpere was in fine form for New York before leaving for international duty, scoring twice in the past five matches for the Red Bulls.

Richards and Jamaica are currently preparing for CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying. The Reggae Boyz fell, 1-0, in a friendly on May 27 vs. Panama, and the teams will rematch on June 1 in Panama City. Richards did not appear in the loss on May 27. Jamaica begins the Group Stage of CONCACAF's qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 8 against Guatemala in Kingston. On June 12, Richards and Jamaica play their second Group Stage game, visiting Antigua and Barbuda. The speedy midfielder is looking to earn his 36th cap for Jamaica, and has scored seven goals on the international stage. This season, Richards has played in 13 games, starting all, and has registered one goal and two assists.

VICTOR PALSSON WITH ICELAND UNDER-21 SQUAD

Red Bulls midfielder Victor Palsson will be unavailable for selection after New York's Third Round showdown against Charleston, as he will be with the Iceland Under-21 National Team. Palsson and Iceland will play in the qualifying stages of the UEFA Under-21 Championships. Iceland faces Azerbaijan on June 5 in Reykjavik, Iceland and Norway on June 12 in Drammen, Norway in Group 8 play.

RED BULL ARENA TO HOST MESSI, ARGENTINA NATIONAL TEAM IN PRACTICE ON JUNE 7

The New York Red Bulls and Cardenas Marketing Network announced that Red Bull Arena will play host to Lionel Messi and the Argentina National Team in an open practice Thursday, June 7 at 7:00 PM ET.

Messi, a three-time FIFA Player of the Year winner, travels stateside with his national team for a highly anticipated friendly against five-time FIFA World Cup champion Brazil June 9 at MetLife Stadium. The match, which sold out in just over three weeks, is the fastest-selling soccer match in U.S. history.

Tickets for the Argentina open practice are on sale and can be purchased by calling 877.RB.SOCCER or by visiting tickets.newyorkredbulls.com.

New York Red Bulls Stampede Members will receive a free ticket to the Argentina National Team training session at Red Bull Arena as part of their Season Ticket welcome gift.

Red, Yellow and Blue members will have until 11:00 AM ET on Friday, June 1 to RSVP and redeem their free admission to this unique event. A separate email with information and instructions will be sent directly to all of the team's season ticket holders.

Both Brazil and Argentina played the U.S. National Team at MetLife Stadium on August 10, 2010 and March 26, 2011, respectively. The return trip is undoubtedly a must-see event for soccer fans living in the New York area.

Argentina, home to one of the sport's most iconic figures, Diego Maradona, is one of only five nations to hoist multiple World Cups and is a 14-time continental champion. Brazil is largely considered the most successful federation in international soccer, home to many of the sport's icons, including Pele, Ronaldo, and current Real Madrid superstar Kaka. Brazil is the only nation to win five World Cups and is an eight-time continental champion.

RED BULLS TO HOST TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR ON JULY 31 AT RED BULL ARENA

The New York Red Bulls will face English Premiership club, Tottenham Hotspur, on Tuesday, July 31, at Red Bull Arena as part of the inaugural New York Invitational Cup. Kickoff time and broadcast information will be announced at a later date.

Red Bulls Full Season Ticket Holders will have this match included in their plans as "Event 18" (out of 20). Season Ticket Holders will have access to an exclusive team meet-and-greet, as well as an open practice and autograph session. Fans can purchase tickets for the Tottenham match through an exclusive three-game pack by logging onto www.newyorkredbulls.com or calling 1.877.RBSOCCER.

"Tottenham has been one of the top EPL teams over the past several years and we are thrilled to play host to them at Red Bull Arena," said Chris Heck, New York Red Bulls President, Business Operations. "We are also excited to bring an elite international club as a reward for our season ticket holders and the supporters for both clubs. There will be several exciting events prior to, during and after the match that will have the direct involvement of fans and we are looking forward to revealing more details later this spring."

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to take part in the inaugural New York Invitational Cup. We enjoyed an excellent match against the Red Bulls during our last tour to the US and we expect this game to be equally competitive," said Tottenham Hotspur Chairman Daniel Levy. "In recent years, we have seen a significant rise in the number of Spurs fans across the USA and especially in and around New York and New Jersey. This match presents us with a great opportunity to give something back to those fans and also introduce new supporters to the Spurs way of playing soccer."

Tottenham, also known as Spurs, finished fourth in the 2011-12 Barclays Premier League. The London-based club boasts a number of top international players including Welsh midfielder Gareth Bale, Dutch midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart and Croatian midfielder Luka Modric. In addition, former U.S. Men's National Team standout goalkeeper Brad Friedel plays for Spurs.

Tottenham came to Red Bull Arena on July 22, 2010 as part of the New York Football Challenge and won, 2-1, behind goals from Robbie Keane and Bale. New York forward and former Arsenal FC star Thierry Henry made his Red Bulls debut in that match and scored in the first half. The Red Bulls have a 1-1-1 record all-time against English Premier League sides and are 42-26-15 in international play.

• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...
• Digg this story
• Add to Del.icio.us


Major League Soccer Stories from May 29, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.