MLS New York Red Bulls

New York Hosts Chicago In MLS Opener At Red Bull Arena

Published on March 26, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York Red Bulls News Release


SECAUCUS, NJ (Friday, March 26, 2010) - After going unbeaten in 10 games during the preseason, the Red Bulls will look for three points in their first game of the season, when they take on the Chicago Fire at the first MLS game at Red Bull Arena on Saturday, March 27 at 7:00 PM ET (TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes; Radio: WADO 1280 AM).

After the Red Bulls and Santos FC played to a sellout crowd on Saturday night, tickets are going quickly the New York's game against Chicago. The Fire is coming off a 2009 campaign which saw it lose in the Eastern Conference Final in a penalty kick shootout to eventual champion Real Salt Lake last season. Since then, Chicago has undergone several changes, with new Mexican coach Carlos de los Cobos now at the helm. Fire forward and former U.S. national team star Brian McBride returns to the squad after leading the team in goals in 2009 with seven.

McBride could be joined in the attack with former Fulham targetman Collins John, who joined the Fire in the offseason. Chicago also brought in Polish defender Krzystof Krol and Salvadorian midfielder Julio Martinez to bolster their ranks while midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco and forward Chris Rolfe departed. The Fire went 3-1-2 in preseason and had its last scrimmage last Saturday at TOYOTA Park against the University of Notre Dame cancelled due to inclement weather.

New York has a 10-20-6 record all-time in regular season action against the Fire and a 7-9-2 home mark. Last season, the Fire swept the season series with a pair of 1-0 wins. On April 5, Marco Pappa tallied from long range to give the Fire the win at TOYOTA Park. Rolfe scored the match-winner moments before halftime on May 24 at Giants Stadium, earning the victory. Red Bulls forward Juan Pablo Angel has scored five goals in eight starts against the Fire.

The Red Bulls have gone unbeaten in their last six home openers (3-0-3) and is 7-3-3 all-time. Their last loss in a home opener was against the Columbus Crew on April 12, 2003 - a 1-0 defeat.

Game Information: Chicago Fire (0-0-0, 0 pts) at New York Red Bulls (0-0-0, 0 pts)

Game Time: 7:00 p.m. ET at Red Bull Arena

Television: ESPN/ESPN Deportes (JP Dellacamera, John Harkes, Rob Stone)

Radio: WADO 1280 AM (Ernesto Motta, Robert Sierra)

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