MLS Red Bull New York

Red Bulls Topped by L.A Galaxy

Published on July 16, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Red Bull New York News Release


EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (July 16, 2009) - Three first half goals helped give the Los Angeles Galaxy a 3-1 win over the New York Red Bulls Thursday night at Giants Stadium. The defeat dropped New York to 2-14-4 (10 pts.) while the Galaxy improved to 6-3-9 (27 pts.) in the second and final meeting between the sides this season. Red Bulls forward Juan Pablo Angel scored the lone goal for New York.

The Galaxy, which welcomed back Designated Player David Beckham to the Starting XI after his loan stint with AC Milan, took the lead just three minutes in. Forward Alecko Eskandarian was outside of the box and flicked it around a Red Bulls defender before firing a looping 20-yard shot past goalkeeper Danny Cepero.

New York immediately tried to get back into the game with Angel beating Gregg Berhalter to the endline and he fired a short angle shot that goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts had to knock away. In the 20th minute, Jorge Rojas' deflected 30-yard free kick off the Galaxy wall wrong-footed Ricketts and bounced just past the left post.

Ten minutes later, Stefani Miglioranzi played the ball over the top to an onside Landon Donovan on the right wing. Donovan took a few touches and cut it to Eddie Lewis, who blasted a shot that was deflected away.

While Lewis and Donovan nearly doubled Los Angeles' lead on that chance, the duo combined for Los Angeles' second goal moments later. After a Beckham corner kick was cleared away, the ball eventually fell to Lewis and he tapped it over to Donovan. Donovan hit it one-time from distance into the top right corner of the net for his seventh goal of the season.

With four minutes left in the first half, the Red Bulls had their best chance up to that point. Midfielder Seth Stammler gained possession in Los Angeles' half and hit a left-footed shot that Ricketts could only parry away. The ball fell to an open Rojas, whose attempt on net was again blocked by a sprawling Ricketts.

The Red Bulls' missed chance came back to haunt them in the 45th minute, when the visitors went ahead, 3-0. Donovan took the ball on the right wing off a flicked on goal kick and took it towards to penalty box. He hit a high cross over to Lewis, who volleyed it towards goal. Cepero was able to get a piece of the shot, but the ball rolled in.

New York threatened Ricketts' goal five minutes into the second half. Albert Celades flicked it over to an open Rojas on the left side of the penalty box and his subsequent shot was tipped away by Ricketts. Ten minutes later, Alfredo Pacheco served it to Celades in the box and the midfielder headed it right at Ricketts.

In the 69th minute, Galaxy forward Edson Buddle nearly made it 4-0 when he got free from a Lewis pass, but Cepero was there to punch it away. A minute later, Beckham left the game for midfielder Chris Birchall.

The Red Bulls put their name on the scoreboard in the 87th minute. Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty box and referee Shane Moody pointed to the penalty spot. Angel stepped up and struck it to the left into the net past Ricketts, who dove the other way.

Three minutes later, the Red Bulls nearly pulled within one when a Galaxy player was again ruled to have committed a handball in the penalty box. Angel stepped up again, but this time, Ricketts guessed correctly and dove to his left, blocking the shot before gathering the rebound.

The Red Bulls will next take on the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO at 9:30 PM ET (TV: MSG; Radio: WQBU 92.7 FM). New York kicks off a five-game regular season homestand on Aug. 15 when they face Chivas USA at 7:00 PM ET (TV: MSG; Radio: WADO 1280 AM). For tickets, call the Red Bulls at 1.877.RBSOCCER or log onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 16, 2009


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