MLS Red Bull New York

New York Red Bulls Weekly Update

Published on October 13, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Red Bull New York News Release


RED BULLS FACING MUST-WIN IN HOME FINALE: The Red Bulls hope to earn a critical victory on Saturday night when they host the League-leading Columbus Crew at Giants Stadium at 7:30 PM in New York's last regular season home game of the season (TV: MSG 2; Radio: WADO 1280). With nine teams still in contention for three playoff spots, three points would be crucial in furthering the Red Bulls' goal of reaching their sixth-straight postseason.

After this past weekend's action, the Red Bulls found themselves in the second wild card spot - tied on points with the Kansas City Wizards at 36. However, Kansas City holds the head-to-head tie breaker over New York, going 1-0-1 against the Red Bulls this season. Thus, if the playoffs started today, Kansas City would be the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference bracket and would face Columbus while New York would be in the Western Conference bracket and take on Houston.

Close to clinching the MLS Supporters Shield, given to the team with the best record in MLS, Columbus played the Chicago Fire to a 2-2 draw at Toyota Park Sunday afternoon. Columbus had a 2-1 lead late in the game after goals from Eddie Gaven and MLS Most Valuable Player candidate Guillermo Barros Schelotto, but Brian McBride's second goal of the game in the 79th minute gave the Fire a point and clinched a playoff spot for Chicago. The Crew is unbeaten in their last nine with a 7-0-2 record and their last loss came on Aug. 2 - a 2-0 loss at Houston. Barros Schelotto currently leads the league in assists with 18 while Alejandro Moreno has scored nine goals this season.

This will be the third time in which the Red Bulls have faced the Crew. On April 5 in the season opener for both clubs, the Red Bulls earned a 2-0 win over the Crew at Giants Stadium. Dave van den Bergh scored the fastest goal in club history 46 seconds into the match and Kevin Goldthwaite put New York 2-up seven minutes later. Columbus exacted revenge on New York on Sept. 18 at Crew Stadium with a 3-1 victory. Forward Juan Pablo Angel gave the visitors the lead in the first half with a blistering 35-yard free kick, but Frankie Hejduk put the sides level four minutes before halftime. Midfielder Robbie Rogers put Columbus ahead for good a minute into the second half and Eddie Gaven iced the game with a goal in the 85th minute.

New York is 20-20-5 all-time against Columbus and 11-8-3 versus the Crew at Giants Stadium. However, the Red Bulls are unbeaten in their last eight against the Crew at Giants Stadium with a 5-0-3 record. Their last loss in East Rutherford came on April 12, 2003 - a 1-0 Crew victory. The Red Bulls have the second most home wins in the League (8) while Columbus is tied with the most road wins (6).

LAST WEEK:

Red Bulls 1 at Real Salt Lake 1 at Rio Tinto Stadium on Oct. 9

THIS WEEK:

Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew at Giants Stadium on Oct. 18 at 7:30 PM ET (TV: MSG 2; Radio: WADO 1280 AM)

NEXT WEEK:

Red Bulls at Chicago Fire at Toyota Park on Oct. 23 at 9 PM ET (TV: ESPN2, ESPN Deportes; Radio: WADO 1280 AM) [END OF REGULAR SEASON}

RED BULLS EARN POINT AGAINST RSL: The New York Red Bulls earned a 1-1 tie against Real Salt Lake in the first-ever game at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, Thursday evening. With the tie, the Red Bulls maintained their all-time unbeaten record against Real Salt Lake (2-0-6).

Red Bulls midfielder Dave van den Bergh put New York ahead in the 31st minute. After Seth Stammler's header from a Mike Magee corner was cleared off the line by Kyle Beckerman, van den Bergh latched onto the rebound and put it into the net for his seventh goal of the season. However, Real Salt Lake tied the game 10 minutes later when Jamison Olave put home a Javier Morales corner kick. New York goalkeeper Jon Conway made five saves. The Red Bulls were reduced to 10 men in the 83rd minute when Juan Pietravallo was shown a straight red card from referee Terry Vaughn.

MLS PLAYOFF RACE: With its tie against Real Salt Lake, the Red Bulls hold the second wild card slot and fourth seed in the Eastern Conference for the playoffs. In 2008, the top three teams in each conference qualify and are seeded 1, 2 & 3 in their respective four-team playoff conference brackets. The two MLS teams with the next most points, regardless of conference, receive "wildcard" berths. If the postseason were to start today, the playoff picture would look as follows:

EASTERN CONFERENCE (After games played on Oct. 12, 2008)

Rk. Team GP Points

1. Columbus* 28 54

2. Chicago* 28 43

3. New England* 28 43

4. Kansas City (Wild Card) 28 36

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Rk. Team GP Points

1. Houston* 27 44

2. Chivas USA* 28 42

3. Real Salt Lake 28 36

4. New York (Wild Card)* 28 36

NON-PLAYOFF TEAMS

Rk. Team (Conf.) GP Points

9. FC Dallas (West) 28 35

T-10. Colorado (East) 28 34

T-10. D.C. United (East) 28 34

T-12. Toronto FC (East) 28 32

T-12. Los Angeles (West) 28 32

14. San Jose (West) 27 30

* - Clinched playoff spot.

- The two wildcard teams will be seeded according to conference first. If more than four teams qualify from one conference, the team finishing lower than fourth in its conference will shift over to the other conference bracket. A team switching conference brackets will be seeded below all other teams in its new conference playoff bracket.

Tie-Breaking Procedures:

The team awarded the highest position in the MLS standings will be the team with the greatest number of points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss). In the event that two teams finish the regular season with an equal number of points, the following system will be used to break the tie:

1) The highest position shall be awarded to the team with the better win/loss record in current regular season games against all other teams equal in points. (head-to-head competition). NOTE: Kansas City holds the head-to-head tie breaker against New York, going 1-0-1 (4 pts.) against the Red Bulls this season.

2) If the teams are still equal in the standings, the highest position shall be awarded to the team with the greater goal difference against all other teams during the regular season. (goal differential)

3) If the teams are still equal in the standings, the highest position shall be awarded to the team scoring the greatest number of total goals against all other teams during the regular season. (total goals)

4) If the teams are still equal in the standings, the procedures described in this section shall be applied only to games played on the road by each team against all other teams during the regular season. (road 1-3)

5) If the teams are still equal in the standings, the procedures described in this section shall be applied only to games played at home by each team against all other teams during the regular season. (home 1-3)

6) If the teams are still equal in the standings, the highest position shall be awarded to the team with the fewest team disciplinary points in the League Fair Play table during the regular season.

7) If the teams are still equal in the standings, the highest position in the standings shall be determined by the toss of a coin.

8) The first tiebreaker in a three-way tie is also head-to-head, but it is determined via points-per-game versus the other two teams. If two teams are tied in points-per-game head-to-head, the next tiebreaker is goal difference.

NOTE: If two clubs remain tied after another club with the same number of points advances during any step, the tie breaker reverts to step 1 of the two-club format.

BERGHER TIME: Midfielder Dave van den Bergh made his first start in three games against Real Salt Lake last Thursday and he made an immediate impact, scoring the Red Bulls' lone goal in New York's 1-1 tie. Van den Bergh made his return to the field on Saturday, Oct. 4 against Toronto FC, coming on at halftime for Juan Pietravallo. Van den Bergh missed the two previous games after undergoing successful surgery in Munich, Germany to repair a sports hernia on Sept. 19. Dr. Ulrike Muschaweck, the surgeon, performed a Minimal Repair Technique, which is a procedure developed and performed exclusively by Muschaweck.

The Dutchman has made 24 appearances for New York this season, tallying a career-high seven goals to go along with three assists.

BULLS TRIO TO RETURN: Red Bulls Jorge Rojas, Gabriel Cichero and Dane Richards will all be available for selection for this Saturday's clash against Columbus after missing the Red Bulls' 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake due to international duty.

Richards was called into the Jamaican National Team's squad for their 2010 World Cup Qualifying Matches in Kingston, Jamaica against Mexico and Honduras on Oct. 11 and 15, respectively. Richards was on the bench but did not play in Jamaica's 1-0 win over Mexico.

In his second season with New York, Richards has played in 21 games, starting in 18. The former Clemson University standout has scored three goals and tallied a team-high five assists. A 2007 MLS Rookie of the Year finalist, Richards has earned five caps for the Jamaican National Team and was last called into camp in November 2007 for friendlies against El Salvador and Guatemala. Jamaica is 1-2-1 (4 pts.) in its CONCACAF group, five points behind co-first-place holders Honduras and Mexico. The top-two teams in the group advance to the final qualifying stage.

Rojas and Cichero were called up by the Venezuelan National Team for their 2010 World Cup Qualifying Matches against Brazil and Ecuador on Oct. 12 and Oct. 15, respectively. Rojas played the full 90 minutes against Brazil in a 4-0 loss while Cichero was not included in the 18-man roster.

Second all-time in country history in caps with 86 and currently the national team captain, Rojas joined the Red Bulls on July 17, 2008. The former Caracas FC midfielder has tallied five assists in nine appearances for New York this season. Rojas was also called up to the Venezuelan National Team in September for a pair of World Cup Qualifying losses to Peru (0-1) and Paraguay (0-2).

Cichero, 24, has earned 12 caps for the Venezuelan National Team, scoring one goal. He signed with the Red Bulls on Aug. 6, 2008 and has made seven starts for New York after coming to MLS from Deportivo Italia of the Venezuelan First Division.

Venezuela (2-6-1, 7 pts.) is currently in a tie for 10th in the 10-team South America World Cup Qualifying group. The top four teams qualify for the 2010 World Cup while the fifth placed team enters a home-and-away playoff with the fourth place team from the CONCACAF region. Venezuela's matches against Brazil and Ecuador will take place in San Cristobal, Venezuela and Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, respectively.

MAC ATTACK: Red Bulls forward Macoumba Kandji made his first MLS start for the Red Bulls in the team's 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake last Thursday. Kandji played 78 minutes before being replaced by Luke Sassano.

The Red Bulls announced Kandji's signing on Sept. 15. The 23-year-old, who has one assist this season, is on loan to play for the Red Bulls until the end of the 2008 MLS season. MLS and the Red Bulls finalized the loan and agreed to personal terms with Kandji and the Atlanta Silverbacks of the United Soccer Leagues' First Division before the MLS Roster Freeze Deadline. A Silverback for the past two seasons, Kandji appeared in 21 matches this year, scoring 11 goals and five assists. The Dakar, Senegal native was named to the USL-1 Best XI five times, including twice being named USL-1 Player of the Week (Weeks 10 and 16).

ANGEL IN FLIGHT: Forward Juan Pablo Angel has scored nine goals in 13 games and has been one of the hottest players in the League. Angel, who has 11 goals this season, is tied with D.C. United's Luciano Emilio for first place in scoring in the Eastern Conference.

Since joining the Red Bulls last season, Angel has scored at a historic rate, as he has found the back of the net 30 times in 45 games played for New York. That works out to a 0.667 strike rate for the Colombian international, a number that is the best all-time for the New York franchise (minimum of 35 games played). Players with strike rates over .400 are listed.

Rank Name Goals Games Strike Rate

1. Juan Pablo Angel 30 45 0.667

2. Giovanni Savarese 41 85 0.482

3. Clint Mathis 39 93 0.419

4. Adolfo Valencia 21 48 0.438

5. Rodrigo Faria 20 49 0.408

6. Alex Comas 15 37 0.405

Jozy Altidore 15 37 0.405

Juan Pablo Angel is racing up New York's all-time goals scored list. Entering this season (his first full season with the organization), Angel ranked seventh all-time, but has steadily climbed the list this season into fourth place. He is two goals from third all-time. (Players with 20 or more goals scored in a New York uniform listed).

Rank Name Goals GP

1. Giovanni Savarese 41 85

2. Clint Mathis 39 93

3. Amado Guevara 32 103

4. Juan Pablo Angel 30 45

5. John Wolyniec 24 119

6. Mike Magee 23 127

7. Adolfo Valencia 21 48

8. Rodrigo Faria 20 49

JUAN GONE, STAMMLER WARNED: Red Bulls midfielder Juan Pietravallo earned an automatic one-game suspension after he received a straight red card in the 83rd minute in the Red Bulls' 1-1 draw with Real Salt Lake last Thursday. Pietravallo will miss the Red Bulls' match against the Columbus Crew Saturday. The Argentinean midfielder has played in 12 games, starting in 11, and has one assist this season.

Midfielder Seth Stammler earned his fourth yellow card of the season in the match versus Real Salt Lake, meaning that if he receives a caution against the Crew on Saturday, he will miss New York's season finale against the Chicago Fire on Oct. 23.

2009 SEASON TICKETS ARE ON SALE: New York Red Bulls 2009 season tickets are on sale now to the general public through the Red Bulls front office and team website (www.newyorkredbulls.com). By becoming a season ticket holder - a Red Bulls Member - in 2009, fans will be assigned a Priority Number for the seat relocation process which will guarantee each Red Bulls Member a seat in the Red Bulls new 25,000-seat soccer-specific stadium -- Red Bull Arena, under construction in Harrison, New Jersey. Red Bulls Members with a Priority Number will have the first chance to pick their seat locations at Red Bull Arena based on their number. To purchase 2009 season tickets, please call 1.877.RBSOCCER or log onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.

As a Red Bulls Member, fans receive a ticket to all 2009 Red Bulls Matches, including playoffs, a Priority Number for Red Bull Arena, Members-only access to the Bulls' Corner Pub both pre-game and post-game, a Ticket Exchange Program for unused tickets, invitations to exclusive Meet the Team Day Events, a RBNY hooded sweatshirt made by adidas (one per seat on account), access to the Red Bulls priority purchase windows for select international matches at Giants Stadium and much more. As a Bull's Eye Member, fans receive all the same benefits, plus access to a private lounge for complimentary pre-game hospitality and a season parking pass.

Red Bull New York also announced that there will be no increase in season ticket pricing from 2008. Plus, for 2009, the Red Bulls announced a new price category - Endline Bull's Eye seating -- of which there are only 56 available seats. For just $882 per seat, a fan can sit in the front row in the East End Zone and enjoy all of the benefits of a Bull's Eye Membership.

Pricing for Full Season Tickets for 2009 are as follows:

Seat Location Price Per Seat

Bull's Eye Memberships

Bull's Eye (North and South Touchlines) $1,088

*NEW*Endline Bull's Eye (East End Zone) $882

Red Bulls Memberships

Midfield (Adult) $528

Midfield (Youth) $352

Sideline (Adult) $368

Sideline (Youth) $256

Corner Flag $272

IRON MAN: While there have been many changes to the lineup over the course of the 2008 regular season, one name has always stayed constant. Goalkeeper Jon Conway is the only player who has started and played every minute of the Red Bulls' 28 regular season games this season.

PARKE TAKES SECOND: Defender Jeff Parke is two appearances away from tying the franchise mark for games played, behind current Colorado Rapids defender Mike Petke. He's on track to tie the team record on Oct. 23 when the Red Bulls play Chicago.

With his start against Real Salt Lake last Thursday, Parke passed goalkeeper Tony Meola for second in games started. He is three behind Petke in that category.

Games Played (All-Time)

1. Mike Petke (134)

2. Jeff Parke (132)

3. Mike Magee (128)

4. Tony Meola (125)

5. Steve Jolley (120)

6. John Wolyniec (118)

7. Tab Ramos (112)

8. Amado Guevara (103)

Games Started (All-Time)

1. Mike Petke (129)

2. Jeff Parke (126)

3 Tony Meola (125)

4. Steve Jolley (112)

5. Tab Ramos (105)

REDBULLARENA.US IS LAUNCHED: Red Bull New York announced the launch of www.RedBullArena.us, the official website of Red Bull Arena, New York's state-of-the-art, soccer-specific stadium being constructed in Harrison, New Jersey. Fans and media can check out the progress by clicking on the webcam icon on the homepage.

Construction Update #5 -- At the north end of the stadium, workers completed closing in the lower bowl with structural steel and began placing the precast concrete planks that form the concourse working from east to west. The lower bowl structural steel is 90 percent complete with four bays to be completed in the southwest corner. Placement of precast concrete plank is scheduled to begin on the south side concourse in the next week. Preparation work continues in the west building for the placement of the concrete floors as workers complete the metal decking that the concrete will be placed on. Site work is continuing with the installation of storm drains and the fire loop along the east and south sides of the stadium.

NOMINATE THE 2008 RED BULLS FAN OF THE YEAR: Do you have what it takes to be this year's Fan of the Year? Do you know someone who eats, sleeps and breathes the New York Red Bulls? Here is your chance to have them recognized, as we are now accepting nominations for the 2008 Fan of the Year!

To nominate yourself or someone else, go to www.newyorkredbulls.com and complete the brief survey. The winner will be announced at the last regular season home game against the Columbus Crew on Oct. 18 at Giants Stadium.

The nomination deadline is Oct. 15, so make sure you get all of your entries in as soon as possible!

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Major League Soccer Stories from October 13, 2008


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