MLS Red Bull New York

Red Bulls Begin Busy Week with First Place Home Showdown against Sporting KC

Published on September 17, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Red Bull New York News Release


RED BULLS, SPORTING KANSAS CITY BATTLE FOR TOP SPOT IN EAST

A victory would vault the New York Red Bulls into first place above the current East leaders Sporting Kansas City, as the two teams battle at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET (TV: MSG+; Radio: 93.1 FM).

On Saturday, New York won its 14th match of the season, bouncing back from an early deficit to defeat the Columbus Crew by a 3-1 score at Red Bull Arena. Thierry Henry led the way with two goals and one assist, setting up Dax McCarty's game-winner in the 79th minute and finding the back of the net in the 9th and 93rd minutes. The win improved New York to 14-7-7, 49 points on the season, which places them in third place in the Eastern Conference. They are one point shy of second place Chicago Fire and two short of Sporting Kansas City, as each team has played 28 games to this point.

In their last match, Sporting rescued a point at the death against the Houston Dynamo, as C.J. Sapong headed home Graham Zusi's cross in the third minute of stoppage time to earn a 1-1 tie. Peter Vermes' side comes to Red Bull Arena with a 15-7-6 record. Through 28 games, the defensively-sound Kansas City has allowed a league-low 25 goals. The club is unbeaten in its past six games, last failing to earn a point back on July 28.

The clubs met for the first time this season just a few weeks back on Aug. 26, a match that ended in a 1-1 draw. New York was able to earn a vital point in the standings despite not registering an attempt on target, as the Kei Kamara canceled out his 4th minute opener with an own goal in the 28th minute. Wednesday's meeting is the second of three between the sides, as they'll meet again in the Red Bulls' final home match of the season on Oct. 20. The teams are dead even in the all-time series, with both clubs winning 17 times and 10 matches ending in draws.

HENRY WINS MLS PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOR WEEK 28

New York Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry was named the MLS Player of the Week for Week 28 of the 2012 MLS season. Henry earned the honor for the fourth time this year after a two-goal, one-assist performance in New York's 3-1 win over Eastern Conference rival, the Columbus Crew, Saturday night at Red Bull Arena. The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season by a panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR).

Henry, who earlier this season became the first player in league history to earn three-straight MLS Player of the Week awards, tallied his 12th goal of the season to tie the game at one in the ninth minute, controlling a Rafa Marquez long ball and slotting it past goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum. In the second half, Henry was the provider, curling in a corner kick that midfielder Dax McCarty headed in for the eventual game-winner in the 79th minute. Henry capped off a terrific performance with a stunning strike, scoring an "Olimpico goal", launching a corner kick directly off the far post and into the back of the net.

The Frenchman now has 13 goals, nine assists and four multi-goal matches this season in 20 games played. Since signing with New York in July 2010, the World Cup, European Championship and UEFA Champions League winner has notched 29 goals and 16 assists in 57 appearances. Earlier this year, the 2011 MLS Best XI selection appeared in his second-straight MLS All-Star Game and was also the MLS Player of the Month for March.

RED BULLS/SPORTING KANSAS CITY CONNECTIONS

Sporting Kansas City head coach Peter Vermes, a native of Willingboro, NJ, played for New York in the club's inaugural 1996 season, starting 30 matches and notching one goal and one assist.

RED BULLS VISIT RIVAL NEW ENGLAND ON SATURDAY

On Saturday, the Red Bulls play their third match within eight days when they visit the rival New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium at 7:30 PM ET (TV: MSG; Radio: 93.1 FM).

The Revolution recently fell to D.C. United, 2-1 at RFK Stadium. The Revolution went one up when rookie Kelyn Rowe scored his third goal of the season in the 29th minute but weren't able to ultimately hold on. Chris Pontius scored three minutes later, and United got the winner in the 62nd from Lewis Neal. With the loss, New England currently sits in eighth place in the Eastern Conference off a 7-15-7 record and 28 points. The Revolution hopes to have boosted their attack with the recent acquisition of former FC Dallas midfielder Juan Toja. The Colombian made his team debut in the loss to D.C. United on Saturday, playing 17 minutes off the bench.

Saturday's tilt will be the third and final of the season between the sides, with each team holding serve on their home ground. New York held on for a 1-0 victory over the Revs back on April 28, with Thierry Henry's seventh minute goal holding up. Goals by Lee Nguyen and Jerry Bengtson on both sides of halftime gave New England a shutout 2-0 victory over the Red Bulls at Gillette Stadium on July 8. The match on Saturday will be the 58th all-time meeting between the longtime rivals, with New England leading the series with a 26-19-12 mark.

LAST WEEK

Red Bulls 3, Columbus Crew 1 at Red Bull Arena on Saturday, Sept. 15

THIS WEEK

Red Bulls vs. Sporting Kansas City at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 7:00 PM (TV: MSG+; Radio: 93.1 FM)

Red Bulls at New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 7:30 PM (TV: MSG; Radio: 93.1 FM)

NEXT WEEK

Red Bulls vs. Toronto FC on at Red Bull Arena on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 7:00 PM ET (TV: MSG; Radio: 93.1 FM)

HENRY LIGHTS UP COLUMBUS IN 3-1 NEW YORK VICTORY

A two goal, one assist performance from captain Thierry Henry led the New York Red Bulls to come-from-behind 3-1 win over the Columbus Crew on Saturday at Red Bull Arena. After pulling New York level with his 12th goal of the year, Henry set up Dax McCarty's 79th minute game-winner, and added an "Olimpico goal" - finding the back of the net straight off of a corner kick - in second half stoppage time (click link for the goal).

It took just three minutes for the breakthrough with Columbus (12-10-6, 42 points) taking an early advantage. After Andy Gruenebaum denied Henry's effort on goal, the Crew broke the other way. Jairo Arrieta played a one-two with Milovan Mirosevic, with Arrieta sending in a low cross from the left side of the penalty area. The ball skipped through the New York defense and to Mirosevic, who tapped it past Bill Gaudette for his third goal of the season.

New York quickly tied the game when two of their Designated Players combined in the ninth minute. Midfielder Rafa Marquez, starting his first match since July 15, gathered the ball in his own half and looped a long pass over the Columbus defense into Henry's path. The Frenchman controlled it with a deft touch and poked his shot past the outstretched Gruenebaum.

The teams entered the second half still knotted and both goalkeepers did well to keep the score even early in the second half. In the 60th minute, McCarty struck the outside of the ball with a right footed shot from about 30 yards out, but Gruenebaum dove and parried the bending blast away. A minute later, Gaudette answered the bell when he kept out Eddie Gaven's long-range effort.

Henry nearly put the Red Bulls ahead in the 78th minute. The forward received a pass from Sebastien Le Toux and lifted a left footed shot on goal from near the penalty area, but the ball was headed off the crossbar by Sebastian Miranda and out for a corner kick. However, on the ensuing set piece, New York took the lead when McCarty headed Henry's corner kick into the top left corner of the net.

In second half stoppage time, Henry added the final score of the night with a highlight reel effort. The Red Bulls' captain took a corner kick from the left flag and his delivery bounded off the far post and went directly into the goal. With the victory, New York remained undefeated at home this season with a 10-0-3 record.

SUPPORTERS' SHIELD RACE

The Red Bulls are firmly entrenched in the race for the 2012 Supporters' Shield. New York is fourth in the league in points per game at 1.75 and in points with 49 through 28 matches. The current top five in points are:

Team Points Games Played Points Per Game W-L-T

1. San Jose 56 28 2.00 17-6-5

2. Sporting KC 51 28 1.82 15-7-6

3. Chicago 50 28 1.79 15-8-5

4. New York 49 28 1.75 14-7-7

5. Seattle 48 28 1.71 13-6-9

VINTAGE TITI

Red Bulls captain Thierry Henry had two goals and one assist on Saturday against the Columbus Crew, leading New York to a 3-1 victory at Red Bull Arena. Henry raised his season goal total to 13, which places him tied for fourth in MLS and second on the team behind teammate Kenny Cooper (14).

Henry's assist on Dax McCarty's game-winner was his team-leading ninth of the season, which ties him for seventh in MLS.

MARQUEZ BACK IN ACTION, EARNS ASSIST

Red Bulls' midfielder/defender Rafa Marquez earned his first start since July 15 on Saturday vs. Columbus, and marked his return with his third assist of the season. Marquez looped a perfect pass from his own half to Thierry Henry for the captain's ninth minute equalizer. Marquez now has nine assists in 39 regular season games as a Red Bull.

DAX ATTACK

Dax McCarty added his third goal of the season on Saturday against Columbus, heading home Thierry Henry's corner kick in the 79th minute to break a 1-1 deadlock. The three goals matches McCarty's career high for a season, which he attained back in 2009 with FC Dallas. The tally was McCarty's eighth of his MLS career and was his first ever game-winning goal.

COMEBACK ABILITY

The Red Bulls aren't done when they surrender the first goal of the game.

After defeating Columbus on Saturday night after falling behind, the Red Bulls are now 5-7-4 this year when conceding first.

HOME SWEET HOME

The Red Bulls remain one of two teams in MLS this season that are unbeaten at home. New York has posted a 10-0-3 record at Red Bull Arena; the Houston Dynamo is the league's other home unbeaten side at 9-0-5.

RED BULLS SIGN DEFENDER DIGÃO

The New York Red Bulls announced Sept. 14 that the club has signed defender Digão. The 26-year-old will be added to the club's roster pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate. Per league rules, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"Digão has impressed our coaching staff during his trial in the past week and we want to continue evaluating him for the remainder of the season," said Red Bulls General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler. "He has earned a solid amount of experience for a number of European sides and we are glad to add him to our roster."

At the age of 19 in 2004, Digão (full name: Rodrigo Izecson dos Santos Leite) signed with Italian club A.C. Milan. For two seasons from 2005 through 2007, he was loaned out to fellow Italian side A.C. Rimini, making 23 appearances. Digão returned to Milan for the beginning of the 2007-08 season and made his lone Serie A appearance for the club in March 2008.

Since then, the Brazilian defender spent time on loan in Belgium with Standard Liege, in Italy with U.S. Lecce and F.C. Crotone and most recently with Portuguese side F.C. Penafiel in 2010-11, playing in 10 matches. After his stint with Penafiel, his contract with Milan expired.

Before turning professional, Digão spent time as a youth player at Brazilian club Sao Paolo and U.C. Sampdoria of Italy before joining the youth ranks at Milan. Digão is the younger brother of Brazilian International and Real Madrid midfielder Kaká.

RED BULLS ANNOUNCE SIX YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK

The New York Red Bulls and Hackensack University Health Network announced a six-year partnership making HackensackUMC the Official Hometown Hospital of the New York Red Bulls.

"We are very excited to partner with Hackensack University Health Network, home to the top hospital in New Jersey and one of the elite healthcare providers in the New York area," Red Bulls General Manager Erik Soler said.

"The club already has a great relationship with the hospital as they have provided various medical services to our first team players in the past, and we very much look forward to this full-time partnership for the coming years."

The fully-integrated partnership includes in-stadium branding and on-site activation for Hackensack University Health Network at Red Bull Arena, as well as the opportunity for co-marketing between the Red Bulls and the network to reach families of youth soccer players in the New York-New Jersey area through the Red Bulls Training Programs and Youth Camps.

"Both Hackensack University Health Network and HackensackUMC are so proud to be partnering with the New York Red Bulls," said Robert C. Garrett, president and chief executive officer of Hackensack University Health Network. "We pride ourselves in community involvement and as we continue expanding our regional network, we will continue to expand our community partnerships as well. This is our second prestigious professional sports partnership - the first being with the New York Football Giants, and we are proud to be associated with such a well-established team such as the Red Bulls."

"The Hackensack University Health Network continues to grow at an impressive rate, expanding its reach and reputation to more residents and families within our region. Therefore, the potential for us to introduce and maintain our Red Bull presence to many of these residents and families in the New York area is an important aspect of this partnership for us," Soler added.

HackensackUMC was listed as the number one hospital in New Jersey and one of the top four New York metro area hospitals by U.S. News & World Report 2012-13, and has received nine national rankings and four New York metro area rankings. The medical center has also been named one of the Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals® and one of America's 50 Best Hospitals by HealthGrades®.

RED BULL ARENA TO HOST BARCELONA S.C. AND S.C. EMELEC ON OCTOBER 10

Red Bull Arena announced Aug. 25 that it will host an international friendly between Ecuadorian clubs Club Sport Emelec and Barcelona Sporting Club on Wednesday, Oct. 10 at 8:00 PM. This Ecuadorian derby was last played in the New York Area 20 years ago, when over 15,000 people saw Emelec defeat Barcelona 1-0 at Downing Stadium in Randall's Island. Tickets are on sale now.

The historic game organized by the Ecuadorian Consulate in New Jersey will donate all of the ticket proceeds to supporting the Yasuni ITT Trust Fund.

For more information about the ITT Trust Fund, please visit: http://yasuni-itt.gob.ec/Inicio.aspx, http://mptf.undp.org/yasuni.

"We are excited to welcome to Red Bull Arena a game that is considered by many the biggest rivalry in Ecuadorian club soccer." said Erik Soler, General Manager and Sporting Director for the New York Red Bulls.

Club Sport Emelec is currently in third place in the Second Stage of the 2012 season in Serie A, Ecuador's top league. Emelec has won ten Serie A titles, which is third all-time in the history of the league. The club is currently managed by former Bolivian National Team defender and manager Gustavo Quinteros, who is in his first year at the helm.

Barcelona Sport Club is one of Ecuador's most successful clubs and is tied with El Nacional with a record 13 Serie A championships. Barcelona also became the first Ecuadorian club to advance to the final of the famed CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores, having done so twice in their history. The current side is managed by Gustavo Costas and is currently top of the table in Serie A's Second Stage.

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 17, 2012


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