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Weekly Update: Under New Head Coach Petke, Red Bulls Play First Preseason Game Friday

January 28, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS) - New York Red Bulls News Release


RED BULLS CONTINUE FLORIDA TRAINING CAMP, PLAY COLUMBUS FRIDAY

With a week of preseason training under their belt, the New York Red Bulls continue their first camp at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. The trip culminates with New York's opening preseason game against the Columbus Crew on Friday at 9:30 AM ET at IMG Academy.

The Red Bulls, who will travel back to Florida from Feb. 4-8, will take on Swedish side, Malmo, on Feb. 7 at the IMG Academy (time TBD).

New York is looking forward to a successful 2013 campaign and continue a run which has seen it earn postseason season berths in nine of the last 10 seasons. Led by new Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh and Head Coach Mike Petke, the Red Bulls return a number of players, including MLS Most Valuable Player finalist and MLS Best XI selection Thierry Henry, Australian midfielder Tim Cahill, MLS Golden Boot runner-up Kenny Cooper and American midfielder Dax McCarty. In addition, New York added a number of key players such as former Brazilian International Juninho, 2010 MLS Defender of the Year Jamison Olave and his former Real Salt Lake teammate Fabian Espindola and 2011 MLS Cup winner Kosuke Kimura. The Red Bulls also re-signed Academy product Connor Lade, defender/midfielder Brandon Barklage and goalkeeper Ryan Meara to new contracts.

2013 Red Bulls Preseason Schedule (subject to change)

Jan. 21: Players report to camp

Jan. 22-Jan. 31: Team trains at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL

Feb. 1: Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL at 9:30 AM. Return to NY/NJ area.

Feb. 4-8: Team trains at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL.

Feb. 7: Red Bulls vs. Malmo at time TBD at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL.

Feb. 11: Team travels to Tucson, AZ for FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup

Feb. 13: Red Bulls vs. Real Salt Lake at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, AZ (time TBA)

Feb. 16: Red Bulls vs. New England Revolution at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, AZ (time TBA)

Feb. 20: Red Bulls vs. Seattle Sounders FC at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, AZ (time TBA)

Feb. 23: FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup First/Third Place Match (time TBA)

Feb. 24: Return to NY/NJ area.

March 3: Red Bulls vs. Portland Timbers at JELD-WEN Field at 7:30 PM (TV: ESPN2)

NEW YORK NAMES MIKE PETKE HEAD COACH

The New York Red Bulls announced last Thursday that they named Mike Petke head coach. Petke, who is one of the club's most popular all-time players and its leader in games played, was previously serving New York as head coach on an interim basis.

"Mike is very passionate about our club and has shown us that he has the leadership and organizational qualities to be our head coach," said Red Bulls Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh. "He is a terrific servant for this club, from being a top player to most recently heading our reserve squad. Mike has earned this opportunity and he will have the full support of our staff to help ensure the team's success. We believe that his experience both as a player and coach in American soccer will be a significant asset as we head into the 2013 season."

"Ever since I joined New York in 1998, this is the club that has always been closest to my heart. I am thrilled to have earned this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It is truly a dream come true," Petke said. "I know there is a lot of work ahead and our challenge is not easy. However, I am excited to take hold of my new responsibility and hopeful that I can help build a hard-working team that our club's loyal supporters can all be proud of."

ACADEMY PRODUCT LADE EARNS FIRST U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM CALL-UP

New York Red Bulls defender and Red Bulls Academy product Connor Lade earned his first-ever U.S. Men's National Team call-up on Jan. 6. Lade joined the squad that reported to the National Training Center in Carson, CA to train in preparation for the Americans' international friendly against Canada at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, TX tomorrow at 9:00 PM ET (TV: ESPN2, WatchESPN).

"I kind of had to pinch myself picking up that call, because (Jurgen Klinsmann) is such a legend and he's done great things for the national team and he's taking them in the right direction," Lade said. "It's just very exciting and I'm really looking forward to getting in camp and hopefully showing well for myself and the club and just try to make an impact on them for the future."

RED BULL ARENA NAMED 2013 CONCACAF GOLD CUP VENUE

Red Bull Arena was named one of the 13 venues that will host the 2013 Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Football Association (CONCACAF) Gold Cup - a tournament that will take place from July 7-28, 2013.

"We would like to thank all cities and venues in the United States for their interest in our Confederation's Gold Cup and congratulate the ones that have been selected to host its 2013 edition." said CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb. "CONCACAF is looking forward to a successful tournament, working in close partnership with both stadium and local authorities, while expanding the reach of our competition to a larger number of fans in more locations throughout the United States."

NEW YORK UNVEILS 2013 MLS SCHEDULE

The Red Bulls released their 34-game 2013 MLS Schedule. New York's regular season home opener against D.C. United on Saturday, March 16 will kick off at 12:30 PM ET and will be shown nationally on NBC. Prior to opening their Red Bull Arena schedule, the Red Bulls will start their 2013 campaign with a pair of road games. First, on Sunday, March 3, New York will face the Portland Timbers at JELD-WEN Field with kickoff time set for 7:30 PM. The match will be shown live on ESPN2. New York then travels to San Jose a week later to face the San Jose Earthquakes on March 10 at 10:00 PM (TV: ESPN2).

CLUB APPOINTS ANDY ROXBURGH SPORTING DIRECTOR

The New York Red Bulls announced the appointment of Andy Roxburgh as their new Sporting Director on Nov. 9. Roxburgh was the former national team manager of Scotland and technical director of UEFA. He is responsible for all soccer activities at the club.

RED BULLS SIGN STAR MIDFIELDER JUNINHO

The New York Red Bulls announced Dec. 17 that they signed Brazilian star midfielder Juninho. Juninho, a former Brazilian International who was a member of the 2006 FIFA World Cup squad, comes to New York from Brazilian First Division side, Vasco da Gama.

"Juninho is a world class player who our Global Sporting Director, Gerard Houllier, and I have known and admired for many years," said Red Bulls Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh. "Aside from being a top dead ball specialist and a tremendous talent, Juninho is a fantastic professional both on and off the field. He is in great physical shape and we think he can make a positive impact for us in 2013."

NEW YORK ACQUIRES REAL SALT LAKE DUO ESPINDOLA AND OLAVE

The New York Red Bulls announced Dec. 3 that they acquired forward Fabian Espindola and two-time MLS Best XI selection and 2010 MLS Defender of the Year Jamison Olave from Real Salt Lake in exchange for allocation money.

"Fabian and Jamison are players who have excelled in Major League Soccer and provide an immediate boost to our squad," said Red Bulls Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh. "Fabian is a pacy, technical forward who will be a strong complement to the players currently on our roster, while Jamison is a fast, dominant centerback who has shown that he is one of the best at his position in MLS. We are thrilled to bring them to New York as we prepare for the 2013 season."

RED BULLS SIGN FOUR PLAYERS TO NEW CONTRACTS

Over the offseason, the Red Bulls signed defender Connor Lade, defender/midfielder Brandon Barklage, goalkeeper Ryan Meara and midfielder Lloyd Sam to new contracts.

RED BULLS PICK MIDFIELDER CHRISTIANSON IN 2013 MLS SUPERDRAFT

The New York Red Bulls selected midfielder Ian Christianson from Georgetown University with its second round (22nd overall) pick at the 2013 MLS SuperDraft located at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN on Jan. 17.

NEW YORK ADDS DEFENDER KIMURA IN OFFSEASON

The New York Red Bulls announced Dec. 3 that they acquired defender Kosuke Kimura and a natural second round 2013 MLS SuperDraft pick from the Portland Timbers in exchange for allocation money and the MLS Homegrown rights for defender Bryan Gallego.

Kimura, who was out of contract in MLS, signed a new deal with the Red Bulls.

"Kosuke is a player who has impressed us for several years and we are happy to bring him to our club. He will provide depth in the fullback position and his MLS experience will be a great asset for us," said Red Bulls Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh.

RED BULLS ACADEMY DUO SIGN HOMEGROWN CONTRACTS

The New York Red Bulls announced Dec. 11 that they signed Red Bulls Academy goalkeeper Santiago Castano and forward Amando Moreno. Castano and Moreno became the sixth and seventh academy products to sign with New York's first team via the Major League Soccer Homegrown Player rule.

"Both of these players have trained with the first team during the past year and they impressed our technical staff," said Red Bulls Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh. "It is a priority for our club to bring young players from our academy to the first team and we want to congratulate Santiago and Amando for taking this step."

CLUB PICKS SIX IN 2013 MLS SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT

The New York Red Bulls selected midfielder Ryan Clark from Monmouth University (1st overall, 1st round), midfielder Michael Bustamante from Boston University (13th round, 1st round), midfielder Ben Fisk (32nd overall, 2nd round) from the University of Washington, midfielder Marc Cintron (34th overall, 2nd round) from Providence College, forward Stephane Diop from the University of Connecticut (51st overall, 3rd round) and defender Andrew Ribeiro from Creighton University (70th overall, 4th round) in the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft on Jan. 22.

RED BULLS DEPARTURES

The Red Bulls announced the departure of midfielders Joel Lindpere and Victor Palsson and defenders Rafa Marquez and Wilman Conde. In addition, forward Sebastien Le Toux was traded to the Philadelphia Union in exchange for forward Josue Martinez and allocation money.


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