New York Red Bulls Weekly Update

Published on March 28, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Red Bull New York News Release

RED BULLS HOST DYNAMO SATURDAY: After a well-earned draw in Columbus over the weekend, the Red Bulls return home to host the Houston Dynamo on Saturday at Red Bull Arena at 7:30 PM ET. This will be the first meeting between the teams this season, with the return fixture in Houston set for May 21. For tickets, call 1.877.RBSOCCER or log onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.

New York enters the match currently in a three-way tie for second place in the Eastern Conference. The Red Bulls have four points through their first two games, which matches the point total of the Chicago Fire and New England Revolution. Despite using a different goalkeeper in each of its first two matches, the Red Bulls are one of two teams in Major League Soccer this season to post clean sheets in its first two games of 2011; rival Philadelphia Union is the other. After Greg Sutton shut out Seattle Sounders FC on the opening weekend, Alex Horwath was called in to replace the injured Sutton last Saturday against the Crew and didn ¬â¢t miss a beat, registering his first career clean sheet in his Red Bulls and MLS debuts.

The Houston Dynamo currently sits in eighth place in their first season as an Eastern Conference team. Dominic Kinnear ¬â¢s side has one point through its first two matches, earning that point on March 25 in a 1-1 draw with Seattle Sounders FC. Houston ¬â¢s Geoff Cameron staked the Dynamo to a lead in the 42nd minute, but the home side got the equalizer ten minutes from full time through Steve Zakuani. Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall was a big reason for Houston sharing the spoils, making six crucial saves. The Dynamo dropped its first match of the season, 1-0, to the Union on March 19.

Last season, the Red Bulls went 1-0-1 against Houston, with both games being decided in the final minutes. On June 2 at Red Bull Arena, a stoppage-time free kick goal by Juan Pablo Angel gave the Red Bulls a dramatic 2-1 victory. The return match on July 31 in Houston marked the regular season debut for Thierry Henry, and the Frenchman made it a memorable one, providing two assists. The Dynamo tied the game on a late goal by Brian Mullan, as the match ended 2-2. All-time, the Red Bulls are 3-2-5 against the Texas side. The Red Bulls have earned at least a point against Houston in their past five matchups, posting a 2-0-3 record over that span. New York has also never lost a home game to Houston, going 3-0-2 all-time when they host the Dynamo.

MANCHESTER UNITED TO PLAY MLS ALL-STARS AT RED BULL ARENA: Major League Soccer announced Monday that Barclay ¬â¢s English Premier League leader Manchester United will return as the AT&T MLS All-Star Game opponent. The marquee match will be played on Wednesday, July 27 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ and broadcast live on ESPN2, Galavision and TSN (in Canada) starting at 8:30 p.m. ET.

The 16th All-Star Game in League history will be a rematch of Manchester United ¬â¢s victory in the 2010 event, when a sellout crowd of more than 70,000 fans at Houston ¬â¢s Reliant Stadium witnessed the first regulation loss by an MLS All-Star team against an international opponent. This summer ¬â¢s matchup will be the eighth time the MLS All-Star team will take on an international opponent, having a 5-1-1 record in this format. A full press release can be found on www.newyorkredbulls.com.

ALL-STAR TICKET INFORMATION:

Prior to the General Public sale, an exclusive presale for Red Bulls Plan Holders to purchase All-Star Game tickets will begin on Wednesday, April 20 at 10 a.m.

All Red Bulls Full Season Members will have the first chance to purchase seats, followed by 10-Game Plan Holders, 5-Game Plan Holders and Red Bulls Membership Card holders. Full Season Members will also receive a discount on tickets purchased equal to the number of Full Season Memberships on their account. In total, Full Season Members can purchase up to double the amount of seats on their account during this exclusive presale. After the Full Season Member presale, all Red Bulls 10-Game Plan Holders, followed by 5-Game Plan Holders, will have an opportunity to purchase tickets to the AT&T MLS All-Star Game up to equal the amount of plans on their account. These tickets will be full price with fees and will be based on availability. Red Bulls Members will also have an opportunity to purchase a limited number of tickets to the AT&T MLS All-Star Game, based on availability, after the Plan Holders presale is complete.

Any remaining tickets following the presale will be made available through a General Public sale beginning on Thursday, June 2 at 2:00 PM. To participate in the presale please contact the New York Red Bulls to purchase a Full Season Membership, partial ticket plan or Basic Membership. For more information visit www.newyorkredbulls.com/tickets/allstarinfo or call 877.RBSOCCER.

NEW YORK EARNS HARD FOUGHT DRAW IN COLUMBUS: A shorthanded New York Red Bulls squad grinded out a 0-0 draw against the Columbus Crew at a frigid Crew Stadium Saturday afternoon. New York earned its second straight shutout behind a stout defensive effort and moved to four points on the young 2011 MLS season off a 1-0-1 record.

The Red Bulls had a depleted side Saturday, missing six players due to international duty in addition to injured forward Thierry Henry (left hamstring strain) and goalkeeper Greg Sutton (concussion). As a result, New York made six moves in its Starting XI from its 1-0 win over Seattle a week before ¬" setting an all-time League record in lineup changes from Game 1 to Game 2 in a MLS season.

Goalkeeper Alex Horwath, who was officially signed on Friday morning after winning a roster spot in preseason, made his professional debut and was called upon in the 14th minute, rushing off his line to block a Robbie Rogers shot. Twenty minutes later, midfielder Tony Tchani was able to get enough space to fire an attempt that goalkeeper Will Hesmer dove to his left to collect. The hosts again knocked on the door in the 39th minute, with Emmanuel Ekpo forcing Horwath to make a fingertip save after the Nigerian ¬â¢s 16-yard-blast.

In the second half, Andres Mendoza again threatened New York ¬â¢s net, nearly heading in a Ekpo cross from close range three minutes in. Ekpo later fired it just past the left post from 20-yards-out. On the other end, Red Bulls midfielder Joel Lindpere looked to get his name on the board for the visitors, pulling an attempt wide right.

Lindpere nearly won the game for New York in second half stoppage time, driving a shot towards the bottom right corner that a fully-extended Hesmer got a palm on before he collected.

Red Bulls defender Stephen Keel made his New York debut, playing 90 minutes, while forward Luke Rodgers managed to play 84 minutes in his first MLS match. Rodgers' replacement, rookie Corey Hertzog, came on to make his professional debut.

AGUDELO SCORES FOR UNITED STATES: Forward Juan Agudelo was among five Red Bulls unavailable for selection for Saturday ¬â¢s game against the Columbus Crew because of international duty, and the 18-year old striker made good use of his time with the United States National Team. Agudelo scored the Americans ¬â¢ tying goal against Argentina at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Saturday night, as the USA earned a 1-1 draw.

It was Agudelo ¬â¢s second career international goal, and just his third senior cap. In November of 2010, Agudelo became the youngest player to ever score for the United States in the modern era when he notched the winner against South Africa in his national team debut. Red Bulls defender Tim Ream was also called by the United States, but did not play in the match. Agudelo, Ream and the Americans face Paraguay in Nashville, TN Tuesday night.

KEEL, HORWATH, RODGERS, HERTZOG ALL MAKE RED BULLS DEBUTS: Four Red Bulls made their club debuts in Saturday ¬â¢s 0-0 draw against the Columbus Crew. Goalkeeper Alex Horwath, officially signed just one day prior to the match, got the start in net in place of the injured Greg Sutton. Horwath made five saves en route to posting his first career shutout.

Helping Horwath on the defensive end was Stephen Keel, who started in central defense and made numerous key tackles in his Red Bulls debut. The former Colorado Rapids player played all 90 minutes in helping preserve the shutout.

English forward Luke Rodgers was called upon with the Red Bulls thin at forward due to international call ups and injuries, and the former Notts County man acquitted himself well in his debut. Rodgers, who has been battling injuries himself during preseason, started and played 84 minutes. He was replaced for the final six minutes of the game by debutant Corey Hertzog. Hertzog joined the Red Bulls as their first round selection (13th overall) in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft in January.

RED BULLS DEFENSE PICKS UP WHERE IT LEFT OFF: The 2010 New York Red Bulls were the best defensive team in the Eastern Conference, and the 2011 version has continued that trend to open the season. Just as they did last year, the Red Bulls have not conceded a goal in the opening two games of the season, posting shutouts over the Seattle Sounders on March 19 and the Columbus Crew on March 26. The club ¬â¢s best defensive start to a season was in 2007, when the Red Bulls held clean sheets in its first four games of the season.

MARQUEZ EARNS 100th INTERNATIONAL CAP, RICHARDS PLAYS FOR JAMAICA: Red Bulls Designated Player Rafa Marquez achieved his milestone 100th cap for the Mexican National Team on Saturday as Mexico defeated Paraguay 3-1. Marquez assisted on El Tri ¬â¢s second goal, which was scored by Andres Guardado in the 28th minute. Dane Richards also featured in international action this past weekend, as he started and played 78 minutes in Jamaica ¬â¢s 2-0 loss to Venezuela on Friday. Richards earned his 27th cap for his country.

RED BULLS GO ¬ÅALL IN ¬Â IN NEW PROMOTION WITH ADIDAS: adidas and the New York Red Bulls today announced a season-long promotion underscoring the MLS club as the face of soccer in New York.

The ¬Åall Red Bulls ¬Â promotion officially kicks off April 5 when the Red Bulls team will appear at the adidas Sport Performance store on Broadway to meet fans and sign autographs. The Red Bulls will make additional appearances with adidas throughout the 2011 MLS season.

¬ÅWorking with adidas on our ¬Ëall Red Bulls ¬â¢ campaign is a great opportunity for the club to continue expanding our reach and increase awareness in the area, ¬Â said Red Bulls Managing Director Erik Stover. ¬ÅWhen you think of soccer, adidas immediately comes to mind. We are excited about this local partnership with a globally recognized and respected brand that has supported our team and our league for years. ¬Â

This summer, adidas and the Red Bulls will continue to celebrate soccer in New York with exciting events surrounding the 2011 MLS All-Star Game being held at Red Bulls Arena and the 10th annual adiCup tournament in New York City, combining the sport and style sides of adidas.

¬ÅNew York sports fans are some of the most passionate fans in the world, ¬Â said Antonio Zea, director of soccer for adidas America. ¬ÅThe ¬Ëall Red Bulls ¬â¢ promotion taps into this local spirit and empowers fans to connect directly with the players they cheer on at Red Bulls Arena. ¬Â

adidas is the global leader in soccer and partners with the world ¬â¢s greatest soccer clubs and federations including Chelsea FC, Liverpool FC, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Germany and Japan. adidas is an official partner of FIFA, UEFA, Major League Soccer and the Confederations of African Football. adidas also sponsors world-class athletes like Jozy Altidore, Fredy Montero, Juan Pablo Angel, Lionel Messi, David Villa, Kaka, Steven Gerrard, Michael Ballack, Xavi, Frank Lampard and Andres Guardado, among others.

RED BULLS SIGN HORWATH, LASSITER: Red Bull New York announced March 25 that it signed goalkeeper Alex Horwath. Horwath spent last season with the San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders after a three-year career at the University of Wisconsin.

Horwath, 23, was a member of the San Jose Earthquakes last season, having been called up as a MLS pool keeper to replace injured starter Joe Cannon. He did not see any action, only serving as Jon Busch ¬â¢s backup. He was also a member of the Seattle Sounders during the 2010 season. Prior to joining San Jose, Horwath trained with Kansas City in the summer of 2009, also as a pool goalkeeper. Before beginning his professional career, Horwath minded the net for three years at Wisconsin, where he started 52 games and posted 17 shutouts. His collegiate career began at Connecticut, where he redshirted in 2005 due to a knee injury and did not play in 2006, after which he transferred to Wisconsin.

Two days earlier, the club announced it had signed Tyler Lassiter. Lassiter graduated from North Carolina State and was one of the Red Bulls ¬â¢ two second round picks in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft.

Lassiter, 21, joined the Red Bulls after being drafted in the second round (No. 30 overall) in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. A central defender at North Carolina State, Lassiter led the Wolfpack in goals scored (six) and all other offensive categories (six assists, 18 points) his senior year. He was named to the ACC-All-Freshman Team in his first year and Second Team as a senior.

RED BULLS ACADEMY UPDATE:

Red Bulls U-18 ¬â¢s Train With Argentina: The Red Bulls Academy Under-18s was invited by the Argentina National Team to train together Wednesday, March 23 and Thursday, March 24 in preparation for Argentina ¬â¢s clash against the United States Men ¬â¢s National Team on March 26 at New Meadowlands Stadium, which ended in a 1-1 tie.

The Under-18s took to the pitch with Argentina Wednesday morning at the Timex Performance Center in East Rutherford, NJ, participating in possession drills and small sided games.

¬ÅThe Red Bulls are getting worldwide recognition and the fact that we were invited to practice shows that Argentina respects us and our club, ¬Â said Red Bulls Director of Youth Programs Bob Montgomery. ¬ÅIt is a dream come true for many of our players to train with a team of this caliber. We ¬â¢re very thankful for this opportunity and for the way that the Argentinean Federation has been so accommodating to us through this process. ¬Â

¬ÅThe Academy offers so many opportunities, every practice is intense, the coaches really keep everything really professional, and everything about it just helps everybody get better, ¬Â said midfielder Sean Davis of Holmdel, NJ. ¬ÅThe fact that there ¬â¢s a professional team and the fact that they offer opportunities like this just makes everybody want to come to this club and want to get better. ¬Â

Red Bull U-18s go undefeated on weekend: On Saturday, the U-18 Red Bulls fought off an early setback to come away with at 3-1 victory over FC Delco. In the 1 st minute, midfielder Oscar Gonzalez lost a ball in the midfield and the FC Delco forward raced past Clint Caso and was then brought down by Caso 20 yards from goal. As Caso was the ¬Ålast man ¬Â, he received his marching orders from the referee and the U18 ¬â¢s were forced to play a man down for the remaining 89 minutes. Despite the setback, the team quickly reorganized its formation and took hold of the game by controlling possession. In the 7 th minute, Kyle McCord put the Red Bulls in the lead with a great solo effort as he took a Paul Ehrenworth through ball that was flicked on by Dan Metzger. McCord beat several FC Delco defenders and rifled a shot into the top corner from the edge of the 6 yard box. In the 43 rd minute, forward Brandon Allen doubled the lead after another great ball over the top from Paul Ehrenworth. However, the two goal lead did not last long as FC Delco converted a penalty kick in the 44 th minute when Red Bulls goalkeeper Keith Cardona brought down an FC Delco player after a scramble in the box.

¬ÅAt half-time we talked about staying organized and really improving our communication. It was actually great that we played against Argentina this week because all we did against them was defend in our half of the field and be tight and compact. Besides the penalty kick in the first half, I think our team did a great job limiting the chances that Delco had ¬Â stated U18 captain Bryan Gallego.

In the second half, FC Delco did not force Cardona into making a save. In the 95 th minute, midfielder Konrad Plewa converted the team ¬â¢s third goal after a great individual run. Plewa beat several Delco players and slipped the ball wide to Damian Bziukiewicz on the right flank. The ensuing shot from Bziukiewicz was saved by the Delco goalkeeper and then Plewa blasted home the rebound for the goal that sealed the game.

¬ÅIt was a great effort by the boys today. This was a true test of character and team spirit and I think this team showed that they are going to be difficult to beat this year ¬Â stated Head Coach Paul O ¬â¢Donnell.

On Sunday, The Red Bulls followed up their strong performance the day before with a 3-0 win over PA Classics. The squad made 6 changes to the lineup from the previous day but still came away with the shutout, displaying great team depth.

Despite struggling to find the net early, the U18 ¬â¢s dominated the first half in possession. The Red Bulls finally broke through in the 43 rd minute as Brandon Allen slotted home the opening goal on a neat pass from Damian Bziukiewicz.

¬ÅOur coaches wanted us to play with more urgency going forward in the 2 nd half. I guess at times we were complacent with our possession in the 1 st half. However, we created numerous chances in the 2 nd half to put the game away ¬Â stated midfielder Dan Metzger.

In the 2 nd half, Scotty Thomsen finished from 12 yards out after some tremendous play on the flank by Antonio Matarazzo, who flicked a great pass to Dan Metzger who found Thomsen running into the box. In the 86 th minute, Brandon Allen scored his 2 nd goal of the day after Antonio Matarazzo played a great pass into his feet and Allen turned on goal and rifled into the lower right hand corner.

Red Bull U-16 squads splits the weekend on the road: The Red Bull U-16's started the weekend off strong as they managed a 2-1 victory against Delco. The Red Bulls jumped out to a two-goal lead against Delco in the first half on goals from Eric Lagg and Bolu Akinyode. Ross Tetro assisted both goals. Delco managed to get one back before half but the Red Bulls limited Delco to very few chances in the second half for the 2-1 win away from home.

On Sunday, The Red Bulls couldn't build on the momentum they had from beating Delco on Saturday and lost to PA Classics 4-1.

U-15 Red Bulls tie Delco 2-2 and beat Pa Classics 6-0 in weekend action: The Red Bulls U-15 squad came out strong against Delco on Saturday and took a 2-0 lead into the final 10 minutes before giving up two late goals that gave Delco a 2-2 tie.

On Sunday, the Red Bulls made sure they would finish their chances as they overwhelmed PA Classics en route to a 6-0 win. Vincent Brunetti continued to add to his team leading goal scoring tally with two very good goals in the first half to get the Red Bulls rolling. The U-15s will go on the road next weekend as they travel to face Boston and Seacoast.

U-14 Red Bulls defeat PA Classics 4-0: The U-14 Red Bulls scored early in the game on a goal by right back Tyler Pinho off a feed from Malcolm Dixon and never looked back. The Red Bulls continued to press the attack but were unable to score again the first half. In the second half the Red Bulls broke through three more times on goals by James Buonavita, Dante Perez and Tyler Pinho, who added his second of the game. The U-14 squad will travel next week to face Boston and Seacoast.

U-13 Red Bulls defeat local rival NJSA 2-0: On Sunday, The U-13 Red Bulls came out and controlled possession throughout the first half against NJSA but were unable to break the tie. The second half was a much more even game with NJSA stepping up and pressuring defensively but the Red Bulls were able to break that pressure late in the game when AJ Kmiec sent a through ball to Orestis Sousonis, who fired the ball into the back of the net. The Red Bulls sealed the win when Malik Stewart finished a through ball from Callum Johnson to give the Red Bulls the 2-0 win.

"I was happy with the way the team played in the first half but we lost our rhythm in the second half until the last ten minutes when we settled down and were able to score the two goals" said Coach Antonio Meza.

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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.

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