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MLS New York Red Bulls

Playoff Bound Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake Battle To 0-0 Tie

October 9, 2010 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York Red Bulls News Release


HARRISON, NJ - The New York Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake played to a 0-0 tie at Red Bull Arena Saturday afternoon in front of 20,829 spectators. With the draw, the Red Bulls improved to 48 points off a 14-8-6 record and expanded their lead to two points in the Eastern Conference over the Columbus Crew with two regular season games to go.

The Red Bulls had the first shot on goal in the fourth minute, as Mehdi Ballouchy created space inside the penalty box and curled a shot that was caught by a diving Nick Rimando. Five minutes later, the visitors nearly took the lead. Midfielder Andy Williams took a short pass from Robbie Findley, spun past a Red Bulls defender and slammed an attempt off the right post.

Ballouchy again had a goal scoring opportunity, this time in the 17th minute, when he was left open at the top of the six-yard box and nodded an attempt past the frame of the goal. Moments after, New York midfielder Rafa Marquez, making his return to the squad after missing one match due to a knee contusion, had a go from 30 yards out that skipped wide.

Real Salt Lake again clanged the woodwork in the 25th minute. Following a cleared Javier Morales free kick, the ball fell to Robbie Russell at the top of the box. Russell took a touch and hit it past a screened Greg Sutton and off the left upright.

In the second half, both teams continued to jostle for control of the match. Marquez nearly capitalized on a miscue in the Real Salt Lake back line in the 62nd minute after the defense did not play a lofted Tony Tchani ball, but the Mexican wasn't able to get his shot off. Six minutes later, forward Juan Pablo Angel headed a Roy Miller delivery over the crossbar. For Real Salt Lake, substitute Paulo Araujo Jr. squeezed an attempt in-between two defenders and forced Sutton to gather it. Sutton was again called upon to push away a Javier Morales free kick with eight minutes left.

Angel almost won the game for the Red Bulls in the 87th minute, turning past his defender and rolling one across the face of goal.

New York was missing the services of goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul (Senegal), midfielder Dane Richards (Jamaica) and defender Andrew Boyens (New Zealand) due to international duty. Miller picked up his fifth yellow card of the season Saturday and will be suspended for the team's next match.

The Red Bulls return to action next Saturday when make their first trip to PPL Park to battle the Philadelphia Union at 6:00 PM (TV: Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports En Espanol; Radio: WADO 1280 AM). Tickets for the remaining regular season home match against the New England Revolution on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 PM (TV: ESPN2, ESPN Deportes; Radio: WADO 1280 AM) as well as the Red Bulls' MLS Cup semifinals playoff match on Thursday, Nov. 4 against an opponent to be determined at 8:00 PM (TV: ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3) are available and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER, or by logging onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.

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Major League Soccer Stories from October 9, 2010


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