Sports stats



New York Red Bulls

New York Red Bulls Weekly Update

March 7, 2011 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York Red Bulls News Release


RED BULLS LOOK TO END 2011 PRESEASON ON HIGH NOTE: The Red Bulls will wrap up the 2011 preseason with two matches this week. On Monday, the Red Bulls take on fellow MLS side FC Dallas at 6:00 PM ET in Casa Grande, AZ. The match will be streamed live via www.newyorkredbulls.com. Last season, the Red Bulls went 1-0-1 against the Western Conference Champions. In their first meeting on April 17 at Red Bull Arena, New York battled back from a one-goal deficit to win 2-1 in dramatic fashion. In the return fixture on Sept. 16 at Pizza Hut Park, the Red Bulls came back again, benefiting from an FC Dallas own goal to earn a 2-2 draw. FC Dallas is coming off a 7-0 preseason win over the Arizona Sahuaros last Saturday night. Earlier this preseason, the Hoops captured the Disney Cup, beating in-state rival Houston Dynamo in the final.

On Tuesday night, the Red Bulls take on Mexico ‚¬â„¢s Club Atlas de Guadalajara at University of Phoenix Stadium at 10:00 PM ET. The match, called ‚¬Å“Red Bull Reto Del Sol ‚¬Â or ‚¬Å“Challenge of the Sun ‚¬Â, will be televised live, locally on MSG Plus and nationally by ESPN Deportes. The game will also be available for international audiences on ESPN in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean and online at ESPNPlay.com. It will also be shown tape delayed on ESPN Dos networks.

The match has a special significance for Red Bulls defender Rafa Márquez, who began his illustrious playing career with Atlas as a seventeen year old in 1996. The Red Bulls ‚¬â„¢ Designated Player appeared in 77 matches for Atlas over three years, scoring six goals. Atlas is led by its captain Gerardo Espinoza, Honduran International Carlo Costly, and former Chicago Fire defender Wilman Conde.

The Red Bulls return to the New York/New Jersey area March 11 ‚¬" a little more than a week before their first regular season match against Seattle Sounders FC on March 19 at 7:30 PM at Red Bull Arena.

BACKE ON PRESEASON: New York Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe spoke to members of the media Monday. Here are some excerpts from Backe:

On Tuesday ‚¬â„¢s match versus Club Atlas de Guadalajara:

‚¬Å“The game tomorrow will be a different game comparing to the Kansas City game or a traditional MLS game. It ‚¬â„¢s our last game of the preseason. We have picked up some injuries. Juan Agudelo has a groin problem, Jan Gunnar Solli perhaps has a soft hamstring (injury), and Chris Albright has a problem with the same knee that kept him out for a couple years. But Luke Rodgers is progressing and is almost in the team. He ‚¬â„¢ll do some individual work, but is getting better and better. It looks so far so good, so not too many big injuries. ‚¬Â

On the team ‚¬â„¢s preseason travel, and if it has affected the players:

‚¬Å“Yes and no. It ‚¬â„¢s been a lot of traveling, but it ‚¬â„¢s not more than last year. (Last year) we went almost 18 days to Europe, and then to a camp in Bradenton and Fort Lauderdale. I think most of the players are rather used to camps like this. Sometimes they get boring, but when I look at the sessions, it is still quality. I have no concerns, and it has worked well two years, two preseasons in a row. ‚¬Â

On if the team has come together this preseason:

‚¬Å“I ‚¬â„¢m sure we ‚¬â„¢ve started on a much higher level this year than last year, fitness wise. I also think that our playing style, our foundation is at a better level than every game we played last year. The competition is so much easier when you have a clear foundation to start the preseason with. I think, overall, when the team and the players are more aware of the foundation, and it makes things easier. ‚¬Â

On his comfort-level heading into his second season:

‚¬Å“I ‚¬â„¢m very confident after the first season. Of course I know so much more about the other teams, the way they ‚¬â„¢re playing, the traveling. I ‚¬â„¢ve been able to pick some players this year to strengthen the team as much as possible. We ‚¬â„¢ve been a little unlucky with some injuries, but I ‚¬â„¢d say we have the players we need. ‚¬Â

RED BULLS COME FROM BEHIND TWICE TO DRAW SPORTING KANSAS CITY: Despite falling behind twice, the New York Red Bulls fought back through goals from the forward tandem of Thierry Henry and Dane Richards to earn a 2-2 tie against Sporting Kansas City in front of a sellout crowd of 10,087 at Hi Corbett Field last Saturday night. With the draw, the Red Bulls finished 2nd in the Desert Cup on goal differential.

In a seesaw battle between the two MLS rivals over the 90 minutes, Red Bull Greg Sutton was the first tested goalkeeper in the 13th minute, pushing away a left footed drive by Kansas City midfielder Davy Arnaud. Moments later, Arnaud volleyed a Kei Kamara pass that zipped over the crossbar.

Sporting KC ‚¬â„¢s persistence would help give it the lead in the 20th minute. Kamara had the ball on the right wing and found Arnaud, who one-timed it with his left foot into the back of the net to open the scoring.

Kansas City ‚¬â„¢s lead would last less than two minutes, as Henry drew the Red Bulls level. Midfielder Tony Tchani played a long ball over the top to Richards, who ran towards goal and blasted a shot that goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen could only parry away. The rebound fell to Henry, who slid it in from six yards out to tie the match.

New York settled into the game after the goal and just before the break, Medhi Ballouchy ‚¬â„¢s cross was nearly headed in at the near post by midfielder Joel Lindpere.

The Red Bulls rode their momentum into the second half and three minutes in, a powerful Tchani header off a Rafa Marquez corner kick delivery was palmed away by a diving Nielsen. Then, in the 60th minute, Tchani threaded a well-weighted ball into the path of Richards. With only Nielsen to beat, Richards dragged his attempt wide right.

That missed opportunity would hurt the Red Bulls, as New York defender Tim Ream knocked down forward C.J. Sapong in the penalty box seconds later and the referee blew his whistle for a penalty kick. Kamara stepped up and sent Sutton the wrong way, giving Sporting KC the lead for the second time in the match.

Richards would make up for his previous chance with less than 15 minutes remaining in the encounter. Henry was able to gather the ball at the top of box and held off defender Matt Besler before he passed it to Richards. Richards was able to stay up from the pressure of a Kansas City defender and poked it in under Nielsen.

Richards almost knocked in the game winner three minutes later, outracing his Jamaican National Team teammate Shavar Thomas and rifling an attempt that Nielsen blocked away. In the 86th minute, Henry nearly had his second of the game, nodding a Lindpere cross off target.

RED BULLS EASE PAST FC TUCSON, 3-1: In the first game of their final preseason trip of the season, the New York Red Bulls defeated FC Tucson, 3-1, behind a Corey Hertzog brace and an Austin da Luz second half strike last Friday night at Hi Corbett Field. The match was the first for the Red Bulls in the Desert Cup.

The Red Bulls, which fielded a primarily younger, reserve squad, took the lead in the 19th minute. Chris Albright played a ball over the top to an on-rushing da Luz. Da Luz, with a step on his man, found Hertzog, who put it home from eight yards out to give New York an early advantage.

New York dominated the run of play in the opening 45 minutes and Hertzog almost doubled the visitors ‚¬â„¢ lead eight minutes from the intermission, heading a deflected Carl Robinson delivery over the crossbar. FC Tucson ‚¬â„¢s best chance came in the last play of the half, as goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer fully extended himself to parry away a Bryan Burke shot on goal.

Hertzog extended New York ‚¬â„¢s advantage in the 53rd minute, converting a penalty kick after a FC Tucson foul in the box. However, FC Tucson brought its deficit down to one again, as Burke had space on the left wing and cut into the box, before sliding it to Fernando Gauna, who one-timed it inside the left post past Maurer. However, six minutes later, da Luz put his name on the scoresheet, curling a shot into the net from the top of the box.

Due to a late injury to substitute Sacir Hot, Red Bulls Individual Developmental Coach and recently retired New York defender Mike Petke was forced to come on and finished the last 12 minutes of the match.

RED BULLS ADD DAVID LEE AS PERFORMANCE ANALYST: Red Bull New York announced on March 1 that it has hired David Lee in the role of Performance Analyst. In his role, Lee will be in charge of using video analysis to evaluate the Red Bulls and their opponents.

‚¬Å“The organization is excited to add a person of David caliber to our staff, ‚¬Â Red Bulls General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Solér said. ‚¬Å“We feel that David ‚¬â„¢s expertise in scouting and ability to provide performance feedback will greatly benefit the club going forward. ‚¬Â

Lee joins the Red Bulls after working as Head of Performance Analysis for Exeter City Football Club of England ‚¬â„¢s third division from 2009. Prior to his time at Exeter City, Lee worked as a Performance Analyst at the Hartpury Football Academy from Sept. 2008 until June 2009. He earned a Master ‚¬â„¢s Degree in Performance Analysis from the University of Wales Institute Cardiff, and also earned a Bachelor ‚¬â„¢s Degree in Sport Technology from Staffordshire University.

NEW YORK PARTS WAYS WITH CONOR CHINN AND IRVING GARCIA: Red Bull New York announced on March 1 that it has waived forward Conor Chinn and midfielder Irving Garcia.

New York selected Chinn with the 34th overall pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of San Francisco. Chinn featured in five regular season matches with the club during his rookie year, logging 29 minutes. He earned four starts in the U.S. Open Cup, scoring three goals.

Garcia was selected by the Red Bulls with the 50th overall pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of California-Irvine. Garcia did not appear in any regular season matches in 2010. He made four appearances in the U.S. Open Cup, including two starts.

RED BULLS TO PLAY MONTREAL IMPACT AT SAPUTO STADIUM ON MAY 11: Red Bull New York announced that it will face the Montreal Impact in a friendly on Wednesday, May 11 at 7:30 PM at Saputo Stadium in Montreal.

With Montreal set to join Major League Soccer in 2012, this will provide soccer fans around the province with a great opportunity to get an early taste of MLS action.

Some well-known faces will take part in this match, including a couple of former FC Barcelona members, French forward Thierry Henry and Mexican defender Rafa Marquez, as well as Canadian goalkeeper Greg Sutton, who played for the Impact from 2001 to 2006.

‚¬ÂI am looking forward to come to Montreal later this year with my teammates to play against the Impact, ‚¬Â said Henry. ‚¬Å“I know that the fans in Montreal are devoted to their team and are excited to join MLS in 2012. It should be a great atmosphere at Saputo Stadium. ‚¬Â

"We are excited to play Montreal as they build momentum for joining Major League Soccer next year," said Red Bull New York General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler. "Montreal is truly a cosmopolitan city with a great soccer fan base and we are thrilled to help promote the Impact with this match in May."

‚¬Å“We are very excited to welcome the New York Red Bulls and bring an MLS team to Montreal, ‚¬Â declared Impact president Joey Saputo. ‚¬Å“We will have the chance to face one of the original members of MLS, a club that has proved over the years to be a top class organization. This match promises to be a great experience for our fans. As we prepare our club for MLS in 2012, we would like to thank the Red Bulls organization for this opportunity. ‚¬Â

RED BULLS ACADEMY UPDATE ‚¬" U13S AND U14S PICK UP VICTORIES: The Red Bulls U-14 and U-13 Academy Teams kicked off their 2011 spring seasons over the weekend with impressive wins against their respective opponents. On Saturday, the U-14 team downed Delco by a score of 4-0 behind a strong offensive attack. The U-13 Red Bulls followed up the U-14 team ‚¬â„¢s win with an impressive victory of their own on Sunday as they took down Matchfit Academy U-13 Team by a score of 2-0.

The U-14 Red Bulls got a fast start against Delco as forward Wes Wade scored the game ‚¬â„¢s first goal just ten minutes into the contest. The Red Bulls added another tally before the half forward Ezequial Cei-Sandoval netted a goal on a pass from teammate Derek Ettienne. The second half was more of the same for the Red Bulls as Cei-Sandoval headed home his second goal of the day from six yards out. Midfielder Chris Lema capped off the day ‚¬â„¢s scoring by burying a strike from 30 yards away in the 75th minute. The match against Delco marks the third time that the squads have faced off this year with the Red Bulls winning all three. The U-14 Red Bulls will continue their season on Saturday, March 12th in a match against Met Oval at 9:00 AM.

The U-13 team kicked off their spring season with a well-rounded victory against Matchfit Academy that featured strong defense and timely scoring. The Red Bulls generated an early opportunity as forward John Antunes was fouled just outside the box by a Matchfit defender. Defender Cameron Allen curled the free kick into the back of the net to take a 1-0 advantage. Antunes was able to deliver the blow for the Red Bulls second goal as he took a shot form 25 yards out that rippled the net as the Red Bulls took a 2-0 advantage into the half. The second half was marked by great defense from the Red Bulls as they locked up the clean sheet and 2-0 victory. "It is always positive to get the result and we think we have a lot to build on from this match" said a pleased Coach Antonio Meza after the game.

Check out the New York Red Bulls Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...

Major League Soccer Stories from March 7, 2011


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.

OurSports Central