MLS New York Red Bulls

Red Bulls Update: New York Begins Preseason Camp this Week

January 22, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York Red Bulls News Release


With their season kicking off on March 8 against the Vancouver Whitecaps, the 2013 MLS Supporters' Shield-winning New York Red Bulls will kick off their preparations for the 2014 season this Friday, when the team reports to Red Bull Arena this Friday, January 24.

New York is looking forward to a successful 2014 campaign and continue a run that has seen it earn postseason berths in 10 of the last 11 seasons.

In 2013, the Red Bulls, led by MLS Coach of the Year finalist and Long Island native Mike Petke, won the 2013 MLS Supporters' Shield (given to the team with the most regular season points) for the first time in club history after New York topped the Eastern Conference with 59 points and a 17-9-8 record.

Entering the preseason, the Red Bulls return 23 players from 2013, including World Cup winner and MLS All-Star Thierry Henry, MLS Best XI selection Tim Cahill, recent U.S. National Team call-ups Dax McCarty and Eric Alexander and goalkeeper Luis Robles. The Red Bulls also re-signed forward Andre Akpan, defender Kosuke Kimura, Alexander, forward Peguy Luyindula, defender Roy Miller, and Robles to new contracts, while acquiring former U.S. National Team midfielder Bobby Convey via trade.

New York's current active roster is as follows:

Goalkeepers (3): Santiago Castano, Ryan Meara, Luis Robles

Defenders (6): Kosuke Kimura, Connor Lade, Matt Miazga, Roy Miller, Jamison Olave, Ibrahim Sekagya

Midfielders (10): Eric Alexander, Ruben Bover, Michael Bustamante, Tim Cahill, Ian Christianson, Bobby Convey, Dax McCarty, Marius Obekop, Lloyd Sam, Jonny Steele

Forwards (5): Andre Akpan, Thierry Henry, Peguy Luyindula, Amando Moreno, Bradley Wright-Phillips

Tickets are available for all Red Bulls matches by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER or logging onto tickets.newyorkredbulls.com.

MIDFIELDERS ERIC ALEXANDER, DAX MCCARTY CALLED UP TO U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM

New York Red Bulls midfielders Eric Alexander and Dax McCarty were called up to the United States national team's January training camp by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann for the team's first FIFA World Cup preparation camp in 2014. Alexander and McCarty, both integral players in New York's 2013 MLS Supporters' Shield-winning season, reported to the National Training Center in Carson, CA along with 24 other players and are currently training in Brazil.

RED BULLS PICK DUVALL, STEVENSON IN 2014 MLS SUPERDRAFT

The Red Bulls selected defender Chris Duvall from Wake Forest University (22nd overall) and midfielder Eric Stevenson from the University of Akron (34th overall) at the 2014 MLS SuperDraft located at the Philadelphia Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA on Jan. 16.

NEW YORK UNVEILS 2014 MLS SCHEDULE

The Red Bulls released their 34-game 2014 MLS Schedule. New York's regular season home opener against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, March 15 will kickoff at 4:00 PM ET and will be shown nationally on NBC Sports Network.

Prior to opening their Red Bull Arena schedule, the Red Bulls will start the 2014 campaign on the road. On Saturday, March 8, New York will face the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place with kickoff time set for 7:30 PM.

RED BULLS SIGN SIX PLAYERS TO NEW CONTRACTS

Over the offseason, the Red Bulls signed forward Andre Akpan, defender Kosuke Kimura, midfielder Eric Alexander, forward/midfielder Peguy Luyindula, defender Roy Miller, and goalkeeper Luis Robles to new contracts.

NEW YORK ACQUIRES BOBBY CONVEY FROM TORONTO FC

The New York Red Bulls announced Dec. 13 that they acquired former U.S. national team midfielder Bobby Convey, as well as Toronto FC's natural 2014 MLS SuperDraft second-round selection (22nd overall). In exchange, New York sent its natural 2014 MLS SuperDraft first-round pick (15th overall) and its 2016 first-round Supplemental Draft pick to Toronto FC.

"Bobby is a very experienced player who we believe can make an immediate impact on our squad," said Red Bulls Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh. "We have been looking at him for some time, and he will add quality on the flanks. Bobby's technical ability will certainly provide us an added dimension."

SIX PLAYERS DEPART RED BULLS

The Red Bulls announced the departures of forward Fabian Espindola and defenders Markus Holgersson, Brandon Barklage, David Carney, and Heath Pearce in the offseason. In addition, goalkeeper Kevin Hartman announced his retirement from MLS.




Major League Soccer Stories from January 22, 2014


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