MLS Red Bull New York

Weekly Update: First Place Red Bulls Visit Montreal on Saturday

Published on July 23, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Red Bull New York News Release


RED BULLS LOOK TO REMAIN IN FIRST PLACE, FACE IMPACT SATURDAY IN MONTREAL

After gaining seven of a possible nine points during their three-game homestand last week, the first place New York Red Bulls take to the road when they visit the Montreal Impact on Saturday at Stade Saputo (Kickoff: 7:00 PM ET; TV: MSG; Radio: WLIB 1190 AM).

The Red Bulls enter the match winners of two straight, taking care of Eastern Conference opponents Chicago and Philadelphia last Wednesday and Saturday, respectively. The 2-0 victory over Philadelphia on Saturday launched the Red Bulls into first place in the East with an 11-5-5 record and 38 points, one point clear of second place Sporting Kansas City, who was held to a scoreless draw on Saturday with New England. The Red Bulls remain unbeaten at home this season, posting a 7-0-3 record.

Montreal has rotated wins and losses in its last five matches, most recently falling on the road at the Houston Dynamo by 3-0 score. The loss put the Impact in seventh place in the Eastern Conference on a 7-13-3 record and 24 points. However, Montreal has enjoyed more success at home this season, posting a 6-3-2 record. Midfielder Patrice Bernier leads the squad with six goals and five assists.

New York will look to make it a perfect three for three against the Canadian club this season. The Red Bulls took the first ever MLS meeting between the teams back on March 31 at Red Bull Arena, with Thierry Henry netting his first career MLS hat trick in the win. On May 19, New York came back from an early deficit to snatch all three points with a 2-1 victory.

RED BULLS/IMPACT CONNECTIONS

Montreal Impact midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic played in 69 games with the Red Bulls from 2007-10. New York selected the University of Akron product with the 33rd overall pick in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft. During his time with the Red Bulls, Ubiparipovic started 33 games, logging 3,129 minutes and scoring two goals while adding five assists. He was an influential member of the Red Bulls' 2008 squad that went to the MLS Cup Finals, starting all four games during the postseason run. After departing the Red Bulls following the 2010 season, Ubiparipovic latched on with the Impact for their final season in the North American Soccer League in 2011.

Goalkeeper Greg Sutton, a former Canadian International, spent parts of two seasons with New York in 2010 and 2011, playing in 13 matches. He earned a combined 4-3-6 record, pitching two shutouts while compiling a 1.23 goals-against average. Sutton also was a member of the franchise during the 2000 season, but did not appear in any matches.

LAST WEEK

Red Bulls 1, Chicago Fire 0 on Wednesday, July 18 at Red Bull Arena

Red Bulls 2, Philadelphia Union 0 on Saturday, July 21 at Red Bull Arena

THIS WEEK

Red Bulls at Montreal Impact at Stade Saputo on Saturday, July 28 at 7:00 PM ET (TV: MSG; Radio: WLIB 1190 AM)

RED BULL ARENA EVENTS

AS Roma vs. El Salvador on Friday, July 27 at 8:00 PM

2012 Trophee Des Champions: Olympique Lyonnais vs. Montpellier on Saturday, July 28 at 3:00 PM

NEXT WEEK

2012 Barclays New York Cup Powered by Under Armour: Red Bulls vs. Tottenham Hotspur at Red Bull Arena on Tuesday, July 31

Red Bulls at Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium on Friday, Aug. 3 at 8:00 PM ET (TV: NBC Sports; Radio: WLIB 1190 AM)

RED BULLS ACADEMY UPDATE: U-16S ONE WIN AWAY FROM NATIONAL TITLE

The New York Red Bulls U-16 squad is getting the job done during the Academy Finals Week in Houston, TX. After defeating Pateadores 3-1 in the first round of the tournament and following up with a 1-0 win over Chicago Thursday night, the Red Bulls paved their way to the title game thanks to yet another 'W', defeating the Charlotte Soccer Academy 3-0 Saturday night.

Adam Najem, Wesley Wade and Amando Moreno were the Red Bulls' goal scorers, while Evan Louro stood between the posts to backstop the team to its second-straight clean sheet in the tournament. Back-up goalkeeper Joe Ohaus subbed on in the 76th minute, who was quick to make a stellar save that preserved the shutout before the final whistle.

"It's great for the kids (to get to the championship)," New York head coach Rob Elliott told USsoccer.com. "It's just another pressure environment for the kids to perform in. I think that's what this is really about."

The perfect 3-0 record and nine-point finish will have the Red Bulls facing St. Louis' Scott Gallagher FC in the USDA Championship Game Monday at 9pm ET. The Final will stream live Monday night on USsoccer.com.

HENRY WITH THE MLS ALL-STAR SQUAD

New York Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry is one of 18 MLS All-Stars confirmed on the gameday roster that will compete against UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea FC in the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on July 25 at PPL Park (live on ESPN2, TeleFutura, and in Canada on TSN and RDS starting at 8:30 p.m. ET). Henry is currently with the All Stars training in Philadelphia.

Because of the competitive format -- MLS vs. the World -- of the AT&T All-Star Game, MLS asked All-Star head coach Ben Olsen to select from among all available players, and he constructed a dynamic, balanced roster loaded with the League's top talent. New York defender Heath Pearce was part of the 18 but is missing the game due to a hamstring strain and was replaced by San Jose's Justin Morrow.

Olsen selected all eleven of the original fan-voted All-Stars.

The roster is below, followed by bios of each player, listed in alphabetical order by last name. Players are listed by the position they are most likely to play in the AT&T MLS All-Star Game, which is not necessarily the position they play for their respective clubs.

2012 MLS All-Star Gameday Roster

Goalkeeper: Dan Kennedy (Chivas USA), Jimmy Nielsen (Sporting Kansas City)

Defenders: Steven Beitashour (San Jose Earthquakes), Aurélien Collin (Sporting Kansas City), Ramiro Corrales (San Jose Earthquakes), Jay DeMerit (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Justin Morrow (San Jose Earthquakes), Carlos Valdes (Philadelphia Union)

Midfielders: Osvaldo Alonso (Seattle Sounders FC), David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Dwayne De Rosario (D.C. United), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

Forwards: Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC), Chris Pontius (D.C. United), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

COOPER DOUBLE PROPELS RED BULLS PAST UNION, INTO FIRST PLACE IN EAST

On the back of New York leading scorer Kenny Cooper's third multi-goal game of the season, the New York Red Bulls leaped into first place in the Eastern Conference with a 2-0 win Saturday afternoon over the Philadelphia Union at Red Bull Arena in front of 21,842 spectators. The victory, the Red Bulls' second-straight shutout, pushed New York to 38 points off an 11-5-5 record.

In the 17th minute, defender Wilman Conde nearly put the hosts in front when he tried to deflect in a headed Markus Holgersson pass in the penalty box. However, Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath was there to collect it. Three minutes later, Cooper was put through on the right side of the Philadelphia's defensive third by Dax McCarty and fired a shot that MacMath parried away. Sebastien Le Toux was first to the rebound and skied it into the stands.

On the other end, Philadelphia forward Lionard Pajoy was able to chest a long ball and turn, rolling it at goalkeeper Bill Gaudette. MacMath again denied the Red Bulls in the 28th minute, blocking a Cooper blast at the left post. Gaudette came up trumps for New York with five minutes left in the interval, deflecting an on target Josue Martinez shot away after the Union forward found space behind the back line.

Cooper finally helped the Red Bulls break through in the 43rd minute. Joel Lindpere found Connor Lade on the left wing and the Red Bulls Academy product whipped in a cross that Cooper got to first and nodded into the bottom right corner of the net.

Cooper doubled his tally for the day 13 minutes into the second half. Lade cut it to Henry on the left wing and the French forward hit a perfectly weighted cross to Cooper, who flicked it in by the left post for his team-leading 13th goal of the year.

New York was missing midfielders Jan Gunnar Solli and Rafa Marquez, defender Heath Pearce and goalkeeper Ryan Meara due to injury. Defender Brandon Barklage left the game in the 16th minute with a right hamstring strain and was replaced by Jonathan Borrajo, who made his MLS debut.

HENRY STUNNER LEADS NEW YORK TO 1-0 VICTORY OVER FIRE

Thierry Henry found the back of the net for the 10th time this season in terrific fashion on a left-footed volley with 19 minutes to play, as the New York Red Bulls earned a vital three points in a 1-0 win over conference rival, the Chicago Fire, Wednesday afternoon at Red Bull Arena.

In the hot and humid conditions, both teams looked to get a foothold in the game in the first half. Off a Pavel Pardo corner kick, Fire defender Dan Gargan rose and could not put his header on frame 13 minutes in. On the other end eight minutes later, Red Bulls midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy collected a feed from Brandon Barklage and made space from 15-yards-out to fire a shot that goalkeeper Sean Johnson parried away. Soon after, Henry ran onto a Dax McCarty long ball and ripped it over the bar.

The Red Bulls continued to apply pressure and in the 32nd minute, Henry was the provider this time, looping it to Sebastien Le Toux, who lobbed it in stride over Johnson and just high. Seconds later, Ballouchy controlled a Roy Miller pass and pulled his attempt wide right. With two minutes to play in the interval, Le Toux hit a blast that Johnson went down to save.

New York took the lead for good in the 71st minute thanks to a spectacular effort from Henry. Le Toux played a diagonal ball towards the left side of the penalty box to Henry, who chested it down and volleyed it with his left foot off the right post and into the back of the net for his first goal since April 28 (Link to goal: http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/07/18/goal-henry-smashes-it-post-and).

The Fire nearly got an equalizer with seven minutes remaining. Substitute Orr Barouch flicked on a cross to Gonzalo Segares at the back post and the defender's on target attempt was cleared off the line by Barklage.

SUPER COOPER

Red Bulls forward and leading scorer Kenny Cooper snapped a seven match scoring drought with a bang on Saturday against the Philadelphia Union, scoring both New York goals in a 2-0 victory. It was Cooper's third multi-goal game of the season as he also found the back of the net twice on March 25 vs. Colorado and April 7 at Columbus. The forward now has 13 goals on the season, which is good for second in Major League Soccer, four behind league leader Chris Wondolowski of the San Jose Earthquakes.

ASSIST-LADEN PERFORMANCE

Red Bulls rookie defender/midfielder Connor Lade turned in a sparkling performance on Saturday against the Philadelphia Union, earning assists on both of Kenny Cooper's goals as New York won 2-0. Lade has appeared in 14 matches this season, starting 11 times and has three assists. The Red Bulls Academy product and former St. John's University standout has become a fixture in the lineup, starting five out of the club's last six matches, and appeared in eight straight overall.

DROUGHT OVER

New York captain and forward Thierry Henry scored the game-winner on Wednesday in the Red Bulls' 1-0 victory over the Chicago Fire. It was the Frenchman's first goal since April 28, also a 1-0 home victory for New York over the New England Revolution. Henry has gone four matches without a goal or assist. He picked up his team leading sixth assist of the season on Saturday in the Red Bulls' 2-0 victory over Philadelphia, setting up Kenny Cooper's second goal of the match. Henry is fourth in MLS in goals this season with 10, and his six assists are tied for seventh.

CLEAN SHEETS

The Red Bulls have kept clean sheets in their last two matches, a 1-0 win on Wednesday over Chicago and a 2-0 victory over Philadelphia on Saturday. Goalkeeper Bill Gaudette was in between the posts for both, and has posted a 2-0-1 record since coming over from Los Angeles on July 13. New York now has five shutouts on the season.

BORRAJO DEBUT

Red Bulls defender Jonathan Borrajo made his MLS debut on Saturday against Philadelphia, replacing the injured Brandon Barklage in the 16th minute. The Red Bulls signed the Clifton, NJ native this offseason after he spent two seasons with Norwegian club Hamarkameratene. Barklage left the game with a hamstring injury.

BARCLAYS AND UNDER ARMOUR ANNOUNCED AS TITLE AND PRESENTING SPONSORS OF NEW YORK CUP

Red Bull Arena announced Monday, July 23 Barclays and Under Armour as Title and Presenting sponsors of the inaugural Barclays New York Cup Powered by Under Armour, which will see the New York Red Bulls host Barclays Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday, July 31 at Red Bull Arena. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN3 in the United States, as well as selected European territories on ESPN UK. The match will also be shown taped-delayed on MSG Networks locally starting August 1.

"We are excited to welcome Barclays and Under Armour, two great global brands in their respective categories as partners in this international event at Red Bull Arena," said Chris Heck, Red Bulls President of Business Operations. "We are looking forward to working with both of them in this New York event."

"We are delighted to be sponsoring the Barclays New York Cup between Tottenham Hotspur of the Barclays Premier League and the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer," said Gerard LaRocca, Chief Administrative Officer, Americas, Barclays. "As a long term partner of soccer, and a sponsor of a 2010 tournament at Red Bull Arena with both of these teams, it is a real pleasure to be involved in bringing two of the best teams from both sides of the Atlantic together once again."

"Barclays commitment with global soccer is certainly tangible in their long time title sponsorship of the Barclays Premier League," added Heck.

"Tottenham Hotspur is one of the world's most exciting football club's and we're honored to be their new technical partner," said Matt Mirchin, Senior Vice President, Global Brand and Sports Marketing, Under Armour. "Their match against the New York Red Bulls is a great opportunity for US fans to see world-class football and the club's new Under Armour kits that will help Spurs players perform their best."

"Under Armour is a solid American company that has developed a great reputation in the sports world and is now making a significant move in the world's game, as shown in their kit sponsorship for Tottenham," finalized Heck.

Red Bulls Full Season Ticket Holders will have this match included in their plans as "Event 18" (out of 20). Season Ticket Holders will have access to an exclusive team meet-and-greet, as well as an open practice and autograph session. Fans can purchase tickets for the match by logging onto www.newyorkredbulls.com or calling 1.877.RBSOCCER.

Tottenham, also known as Spurs, finished fourth in the 2011-12 Barclays Premier League. The London-based club boasts a number of top international players including Welsh midfielder Gareth Bale, Dutch midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart and former U.S. Men's National Team standout goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

Tottenham came to Red Bull Arena on July 22, 2010 as part of the Barclays New York Challenge and won, 2-1, behind goals from Robbie Keane and Bale. New York forward and former Arsenal FC star Thierry Henry made his Red Bulls debut in that match and scored in the first half. The Red Bulls have a 1-1-1 record all-time against Barclays Premier League sides.

THIERRY HENRY COLLABORATES WITH POP ARTIST TRISTAN EATON TO CREATE ART IN NYC

The French Soccer Star of the New York Red Bulls, Thierry Henry, utilized his talents to reveal a 24 X 21 foot mural in Midtown Manhattan on July 13. Teaming up with local pop artist and Kid Robot designer toy creator, Tristan Eaton, Henry used the force of his famous goal-scoring strikes to launch a series of triggers and objects-in-motion to produce and unveil a work of art inspired by the team and the City of New York.

Over one thousand local Manhattanites came out at the end of their lunch break to see the zips, zaps, flips, rolls and finally the end reveal on the front steps of Madison Square Garden. MSG Networks' New York Red Bulls sideline reporter, Tina Cervasio, hosted the event.

Coming together months before, Henry met with Eaton to connect on a common vision and the logistics of aiming a ball from 30 feet to a tiny circular target, much smaller than the goals he is used to scoring on. When push came to shove or cleat came to ball, Henry nailed it every time.

"It was really special seeing it all come together," said the two-time MLS All""Star and World Cup Champion. "I have a huge admiration for the type of pop and modern art that Tristan does plus we have our love for Marvel Comics in common- so it was easy to connect."

Also inspired by the New York Red Bulls and Thierry's passion for life beyond of soccer-- including art, music and fashion- Tristan's vision and art-in-motion skills made this giant canvas come to life with huge bulls charging out of the scene.

"It was a long process and I built the structure in pieces, so it was quite a site to see it come together," said the pop artist, who has work on permanent display at the MOMA. "It was also awesome to give a superstar like Thierry a challenge and make him sweat."

The newsfeed is available for editorial use on all media channels including television, film, print, mobile, and digital. The content is centrally located in the Red Bull Content Pool for media partners at www.redbullcontentpool.com.

RED BULL ARENA TO HOST FRIENDLY BETWEEN AS ROMA AND EL SALVADOR NATIONAL TEAM

Red Bull Arena will host to an international friendly match between the three-time Italian Serie A champions AS Roma and El Salvador National Team on Friday, July 27 at 8pm ET.

"We are delighted to welcome AS Roma and El Salvador National Team to Red Bull Arena for this international exhibition match," said Chris Heck, New York Red Bulls President of Business Operations.

The match at Red Bull Arena will be AS Roma's final tune up on American soil, closing out the Giallorossi's first-ever US Tour before returning home for their 80th season in Serie A play, Italian soccer's top division. Additional tour stops include international friendlies against top Polish club Zaglebie Lubin at Wrigley Field in Chicago and English Premier League standout, Liverpool FC at Fenway Park in Boston.

"We can't wait to bring AS Roma to America's finest soccer-specific venue and provide our passionate fan base in the Tri-State area with the opportunity to watch international soccer at its best," said AS Roma Chief Executive Officer Mark Pannes. "Roma has had an outstanding summer thus far showcasing its star studded roster, featuring four players competing in the UEFA European Championships 2012, highlighted by Italian National Team members Fabio Borini and Daniele De Rossi."

El Salvador's national team, led by Uruguayan coach Ruben Israel, is currently in the midst of its 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign competing in CONCACAF's Group B with Mexico, Costa Rica and Guyana.

"This game presents a good opportunity to give our team continuity as we prepare for the upcoming matches in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers," said El Salvador FA President Carlos Mendez. "All fixtures in La Primera will be suspended for the weekend to ensure we can bring a full strength team and we are looking forward to a competitive game that will surely summon the large Salvadoran community in the North East region of the United States."

"As an ownership group we have made growing the Roma brand in the U.S. one of our top priorities and an international friendly in the footprint of the greatest city in America is a big step in the right direction," said James Pallotta, Chief Executive, AS Roma holding company NEEP Roma Holding. "The previous two stops on Roma's US Tour are at iconic American baseball parks and it will be great to finish the tour against an elite national team from the Americas at Red Bull Arena, a state of the art facility offering fans an unmatched soccer experience."

Tickets for the AS Roma vs. El Salvador on Friday, July 27 at 8:00PM at Red Bull Arena are available by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER or logging onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 23, 2012


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