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MLS New York Red Bulls

New York Red Bulls Weekly Update

May 9, 2011 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York Red Bulls News Release


RED BULLS TO FACE MONTREAL IMPACT AT SAPUTO STADIUM WEDNESDAY: The Red Bulls will take on the Montreal Impact at Saputo Stadium on Wednesday, May 11 at 7:30 PM ET. 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 fanbase and we are thrilled to help promote the Impact with this match."

‚¬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

The Impact currently sit in seventh place in the North American Soccer League, with a record of 1-1-2 through four matches. Their last match on May 4 was part of the Nutrilite Canadian Championships, a 1-1 draw with MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

NEW YORK WELCOMES IN CHIVAS USA FOR SUNDAY SHOWDOWN: Having just faced off against one tenant of The Home Depot Center in California, the Red Bulls travel back home to host the other as New York welcomes in Chivas USA on Sunday at Red Bull Arena for a 7:00 PM ET kickoff (TV: MSG Plus/Galavision; Radio: WQBU 92.7).

The Red Bulls enter the match atop the Eastern Conference after earning a hard-fought draw against the Los Angeles Galaxy in an entertaining 1-1 tie on Saturday. The stars were out and contributed for each side, as Thierry Henry scored his fourth goal of the season just minutes in, while the Galaxy equalized off a David Beckham corner kick that was headed in by Landon Donovan. Red Bulls keeper Bouna Coundoul made some excellent saves in preserving the tie. New York holds a record of 4-1-3, with 15 points

Robin Fraser is in his first year as head coach of Chivas USA and has the Goats in seventh place in the Western Conference on a record of 2-2-3, 9 points. They were edged in their last match, 1-0, to Real Salt Lake on a late goal by Will Johnson. Chivas played most of the match down two men as former Red Bulls defender Andrew Boyens was sent off in the 28th minute after picking up two yellow cards, and Marcos Mondaini was shown a red card in the 38th minute. The Goats are led in both goals (3) and assists (2) by former Columbus Crew and Philadelphia Union striker Alejandro Moreno.

RED BULLS ‚¬" CHIVAS USA CONNECTIONS: Chivas USA defender Andrew Boyens was a member of the Red Bulls from 2008-2010. The New Zealand International was a part of the Red Bulls ‚¬â„¢ 2008 Western Conference Championship side, playing in two playoff games during the team ‚¬â„¢s run to MLS Cup. During his three seasons with the team, Boyens played in 33 MLS Regular Season games, starting 30.

Goalkeeper Zach Thornton played for New York over two stints. He was drafted by New York in the 1996 Draft, and played in six games with the team in 1996-97. He returned to the club during the 2008 season, but did not feature for the first team in regular season play. He did make one start in 2008 in the U.S. Open Cup.

RED BULLS, GALAXY BATTLE TO 1-1 DRAW: New York forward Thierry Henry ‚¬â„¢s fourth minute goal was cancelled out by a Landon Donovan finish later in the half, as the first-place Red Bulls earned a hard fought road point with a 1-1 tie against the Los Angeles Galaxy Saturday night at The Home Depot Center in front of 27,000 spectators. The Red Bulls improved to 15 points off a 4-1-3 record after an exciting encounter which saw both sides generate several scoring chances.

The hosts tested New York in the fourth minute, when David Beckham ‚¬â„¢s cross field ball found Donovan, whose volley went straight to goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul.

Moments later, the Red Bulls took the lead. Midfielder Dane Richards had the ball on the right wing and threaded it through to an on-rushing Henry, who touched it by a sprawling Donovan Ricketts and slid it into the gaping net for his fourth tally of the year.

Los Angeles nearly pulled one back immediately when former New York forward Juan Pablo Angel, playing in his first match against his old club, could not get a good connection on a cross from close range. Four minutes later, Coundoul came up with the first of several big saves, diving to his right to block and hold onto a Chad Barrett shot off a Galaxy corner kick.

The first half was played at a frantic pace and Barrett could have tied the game after Donovan slotted a well-weighted pass, but Coundoul came off his line to block it away. On the other end, Richards had space to fire a blast that Ricketts dove to parry. Ricketts again came up with an important stop in the 37th minute, this time denying Red Bulls midfielder Joel Lindpere ‚¬â„¢s left-footed attempt.

Los Angeles tied the game with four minutes left in the opening stanza. After Barrett won a corner kick, Beckham ‚¬â„¢s ensuing in-swinger went to an open Donovan, who nodded it past Coundoul and into the back of the net.

Donovan could have given the Galaxy a quick advantage with his second goal soon after, when he rounded Coundoul outside of the penalty box and rolled it towards the empty net. However, a fully extended Tim Ream slid in and knocked it away before it crossed the endline.

Both sides had good scoring chances after the break. In the 73rd minute, Angel headed a Barrett cross straight at Coundoul, while Beckham ‚¬â„¢s 30-yard free kick nine minutes from full time was well parried by the goalkeeper. For the visitors, substitute Juan Agudelo snapped a Rafa Marquez delivery just wide of the goalmouth. Then, in the 82nd minute, Richards nearly stole the three points, striking a shot that beat Ricketts and slammed off the left upright.

HENRY STRIKES AGAIN: Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry notched his fourth goal of the season and fourth in as many games when he opened the scoring in the Red Bulls ‚¬â„¢ 1-1 draw with the Los Angeles Galaxy on May 7. Henry now sits in a six-way tie for second in the league in scoring in 2011, trailing just D.C. United striker Charlie Davies, who has six goals this season.

2011 MLS GOALS LEADERS Player (Team) Goals

1. Charlie Davies (DCU) 6 T-2. Thierry Henry (NY) 4 T-2. Diego Chaves (CHI) 4 T-2. Landon Donovan (LA) 4 T-2. Emilio Renteria (CLB) 4 T-2. Brad Evans (SEA) 4 T-2. Will Bruin (HOU) 4

GETTING THAT FIRST GOAL: Under Hans Backe, the Red Bulls have yet to lose a game in which they scored the first goal. In 2010 and 2011 combined, New York has posted a record of 18-0-3 in games where they opened the scoring.

RICHARDS SEVENTH ALL-TIME IN ASSISTS: Red Bulls midfielder Dane Richards tallied his 20th career assist in the Red Bulls ‚¬â„¢ 1-1 tie with Los Angeles on May 7. That mark tied him with Miles Joseph for seventh on New York ‚¬â„¢s all-time assist list in MLS Regular Season play. Next up on the list is Petter Villegas, who has 21 career assists.

STRONG DEFENSE: The Red Bulls have given up the fewest goals in the Eastern Conference, and second least in the league, having surrendered just three goals through eight games so far in 2011. The Philadelphia Union has also given up just three goals, but have played one less game than New York. Real Salt Lake leads all of MLS with just two conceded goals, although they have only played six league games to date.

NEW YORK ‚¬â„¢S GOT WINGS UPDATE: The New York Red Bulls announced the winning Queens Borough soccer club on May 9 for the team ‚¬â„¢s New York ‚¬â„¢s Got Wings program. Auburndale Soccer Club received the most votes by the public and will receive new sports apparel and equipment in a partnership with adidas and Kwik Goal. They will also receive a soccer clinic by the New York Red Bulls elite level of coaches.

"The Auburndale Soccer Club is really very appreciative that our club was able to take part in, and win, this competition. Our kids worked so hard to win this, ‚¬Â said Arthur Ruppert, Auburndale ‚¬â„¢s Soccer Club Board of Directors. ‚¬Å“They are all so ecstatic and thankful, and they can ‚¬â„¢t wait for their clinic with the Red Bulls' coaches! ‚¬Â

In an effort to revitalize local soccer programs, the New York Red Bulls will be providing needed equipment and elite-level coaching throughout the upcoming season. The team is aiming to reach New York ‚¬â„¢s soccer-playing fanbase, from those participating in city-run summer camps, to younger athletes training in soccer clubs in the five boroughs.

The soccer club voting for each borough will take place over a seven game block. Brooklyn voting has begun and will go until June 11, Staten Island (6/19 ‚¬" 7/16), Bronx (7/20 ‚¬" 9/10) and Manhattan (9/17 ‚¬" 10/20).

In addition to working with existing soccer clubs, every goal scored by the New York Red Bulls during the 2011 MLS regular season, Red Bull will make donations to the New York City Parks & Recreation Department ‚¬â„¢s summer camp programs. For each goal, $1,000 in equipment and clinics will be donated to the cause. The team hopes exposing kids to the fundamentals of soccer will help them embrace the sport, thus leading them to a healthier lifestyle. With the 2011 season not even a quarter of the way through, the team has scored a total of 11 goals thus far.

NEW YORK TO FACE ARSENAL, PSG AT EMIRATES CUP: The New York Red Bulls will participate in the 2011 edition of the Emirates Cup, an international competition held at the Emirates Stadium in London, England, from July 30-31. In addition to the Red Bulls, storied English side and host Arsenal FC, legendary French club Paris Saint-Germain and Argentine powerhouse Club Atlético Boca Juniors will participate.

The Red Bulls will be the first MLS side in history to participate in the tournament, with New York Designated Player and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry returning to take on his former club, where he was the team ‚¬â„¢s all-time leading goalscorer with 226 goals.

The 2011 Emirates Cup kicks off at 9:00 AM ET on Saturday, July 30 with the Red Bulls facing Paris Saint-Germain followed by Arsenal taking on Boca Juniors at 11:20 AM ET. On Sunday, July 31, Paris Saint-Germain faces Boca Juniors at 9:00 AM ET, while Henry and the Red Bulls square off against Arsenal at 11:20 AM ET.

"We are honored with Arsenal's invitation to participate in this year's Emirates Cup," said Erik Soler, Red Bulls General Manager and Sporting Director. "Our club is looking forward to representing Major League Soccer in this high profile international tournament."

Teams will be awarded three points for a win and one point for a draw. The competition also rewards attacking play, with teams being awarded one point for each goal they score. In addition, shots on target will be counted and will be used to decide the tournament winners if teams are level on points and goal difference. The winning team will be presented with the Emirates Cup trophy after the second match on July 31.

"We would like to thank James Grant Sports Management for their help with this project." added Soler.

Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis said: ‚¬Å“We ‚¬â„¢re delighted and proud to once again be hosting the Emirates Cup this summer. Over the previous four years, the Emirates Cup has proved to be an overwhelming success and a thoroughly enjoyable weekend of football.

‚¬Å“Nearly half a million supporters have now come to Emirates Stadium to attend the Emirates Cup in the four years, and the tournament is now recognized around the world as a prestigious pre-season event.

‚¬Å“New York Red Bulls, Boca Juniors and Paris Saint-Germain are three clubs with great players and huge followings, and they are sure to make Emirates Cup 2011 a hugely exciting weekend of football. Also, I ‚¬â„¢m sure all Arsenal fans will be looking forward to welcoming back Thierry Henry ‚¬" a true Arsenal legend. ‚¬Â

For more information on the 2011 Emirates Cup and further developments regarding the Emirates Cup 2011 and the Red Bulls ‚¬â„¢ participation in the tournament, please visit newyorkredbulls.com and Arsenal.com.

2011 Emirates Cup match schedule:

Saturday July 30th New York Red Bulls v Paris Saint-Germain (9:00AM ET/2:00 PM London Time) Arsenal v Boca Juniors (11:20 AM ET/ 4:20 PM London Time)

Sunday July 31st Boca Juniors v Paris Saint-Germain (9:00 AM ET/ 2:00 PM London Time) Arsenal v New York Red Bulls (11:20AM ET/ 4:20 PM London Time)

Emirates Cup Information Previous Tournament participants and winners: 2007 Participants: Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Valencia, Inter Milan 2007 Winner: Arsenal

2008 Participants: Arsenal, Juventus, Real Madrid, Hamburg SV 2008 Winner: Hamburg SV

2009 Participants: Arsenal, Rangers, Atlético Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain 2009 Winner: Arsenal

2010 Participants: Arsenal, Celtic, Olympique Lyonnais, AC Milan 2010 Winner: Arsenal

RED BULLS ACADEMY UPDATE:

U-18 Red Bulls top New York Rival, 2-1: The Red Bull U-18s overcame a one-goal deficit at halftime to defeat Cosmos Academy on the road, 2-1. The U-18s struggled to find any rhythm in the early going, as the Cosmos controlled possession for most of the first half.

‚¬Å“The Cosmos made it very difficult for us today, especially in the 1st half. They worked very hard collectively and were a very organized, well coached team, ‚¬Â stated U-18 Head Coach Paul O ‚¬â„¢Donnell.

The Cosmos made the score 1-0 in the 36th minute off a brilliant goal from David Diosa. Right before half-time, Red Bull forward, Brandon Allen, nearly leveled the scored as he blasted a shot just over the crossbar from 6 yards out after a great cross from Scotty Thomsen. The U-18 ‚¬â„¢s finally established more possession and began to create numerous chances in the 2nd half. The Red Bulls got the equalizer in the 65th minute when Thomsen neatly finished a probing pass from substitute Konrad Plewa past the Cosmos goalkeeper. Then in the 77th minute, Allen notched the Red Bulls ‚¬â„¢ second goal when he connected on a Thomsen cross with his right foot shot into the upper ninety. The Red Bulls closed out the match by controlling possession and limiting the Cosmos to a few set piece chances that were dealt with well by Red Bulls goalkeeper Jake Wagmeister.

‚¬Å“At half-time we switched our formation to a 3-5-2, with the change we upped the tempo and started to pressure (Cosmos) back 4 more effectively and took advantage of the spaces out wide. This allowed us to create more chances and get dangerous crosses in, ‚¬Â stated Thomsen.

U-16s drop game to Cosmos: Despite creating several chances and controlling the game most of the way, the U-16 Red Bulls dropped a divisional match to the Cosmos at Aviator Field, 4-0. The Cosmos scored late in the first half and added three more second half goals for the win. The U-16s are back in action next week at Met Oval.

U-15 Red Bulls defeat NY Cosmos 3-1 on Sunday: The U-15 Red Bulls went on the road and defeated local rival NY Cosmos on Sunday by a final of 3-1. The U-15s controlled the game early and took the lead on a Vinnie Brunetti goal in the 15th minute. The Cosmos scored the equalizer right before halftime, taking some momentum into the break. The Red Bulls came out quickly in the second half and took the lead again when Brunetti notched his second goal of the game to make it 2-1. Zack Reed sealed the game for the Red Bulls when he finished the scoring to make the final 3-1.

U-14 Red Bulls shutout out Cosmos 1-0: The U14 Red Bulls took over first place when they defeated the NY Cosmos 1-0 Sunday in a tight, rivalry game. The game was very physical from the start with both teams looking to set the pace. The Red Bulls gained momentum 20 minutes into the game and created some opportunities on goal. Jake Oreman and Dante Perez both hit the post early in the second half and James Buonavita's shot was stopped from short range. It was Buonavita minutes later that got the Red Bulls on the board when he tucked a shot past the Cosmo keeper off a pass from Perez. The Red Bulls almost scored again when Tyler Pinho broke through alone but saw his shot saved by the Cosmos keeper. The Red Bulls defense was led by Kevin Politz and Brandon Tetro and goalie Aleks Gogic got the shutout for the Red Bulls.

U-13 Red Bulls beat Oakwood 5-0: The U-13 Red Bulls dominated Oakwood on Sunday, to the tune of a 5-0 victory. The Red Bulls scored early on an own goal from an Oakwood defender that set the tempo for the rest of the game. The Red Bulls quickly scored two more on goals from Malik Stewart and AJ Kmiek, stretching the lead to 3-0 and putting it out of reach. Jonas Halvorsen and Marcelo Borgess scored in the second half to give the Red Bulls the 5-0 win.

"I thought we played very well today, offensively and defensively we were very good on the day," said U-13 Head Coach Antonio Meza.

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