MLS Red Bull New York

Weekly Update: Red Bulls Hit the Road to Take on Revolution

Published on July 2, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Red Bull New York News Release


The New York Red Bulls look to get back to their winning ways and potentially move into first place in the Eastern Conference when they take on I-95 rival, the New England Revolution, Sunday night at Gillette Stadium at 7:00 PM ET (TV: MSG+ - Pre-Game Show at 6:30 PM, Radio: WLIB 1190 AM).

In the 17th year of the New York MLS franchise's existence, the Red Bulls start the second half of their season after coming off the best first half in its club history. New York has secured the most points ever through 17 games (31 points) and has the most points per game out of any season at the halfway mark.

New York Most Points through 17 Matches

2012: 31 points (9-4-4 record)

2003: 28 points (8-5-4)

2001, 2007, 2010: 27 points

New York Most Points per Match at Halfway Point of Season

2012: 1.82 ppm (31 points from 17 matches)

2010: 1.73 ppm (26, 15)

2003: 1.67 ppm (25, 15)

* - Statistics courtesy of Elias Sports Bureau

New York is coming off a 1-1 road tie against Toronto FC last Saturday. Midfielder Jan Gunnar Solli earned his second goal in as many games, but Danny Koevermans' header leveled the score and sent the Red Bulls home with a point. With D.C. United defeating the Montreal Impact on Saturday, 3-0, at RFK Stadium, New York (9-4-4, 31 pts.) is two points behind leader United (10-5-3, 33 pts.) with one game in hand.

The Red Bulls could potentially take first place in the Eastern Conference with a win, as D.C. is on bye this weekend. New York is two points ahead of third place Sporting Kansas City (29) and four ahead of the Chicago Fire (27). Both Sporting and Chicago have a game in hand on New York and play two matches this week. After July 8, all top-four East teams will have played 18 matches.

The Red Bulls hit the road for the fourth time in five games, taking on the seventh-place Revolution (5-7-4, 19 pts.) for the second time this year. The Revolution is unbeaten in its last four matches (1-0-3) and is coming off a 2-2 tie against Seattle Sounders FC at Gillette Stadium last Saturday. Seattle looked to have won the match, but Revolution Academy product Diego Fagundez found the back of the net in the fourth minute of stoppage time to earn the tie after Eddie Johnson scored twice for the visitors to make it 2-1. Forward Saer Sene, who recorded the opening tally in the Sounders match, leads New England with eight goals, while four-time MLS XI midfielder Shalrie Joseph is in a tie with defender Chris Tierney in with a team-high three assists.

On April 28 at Red Bull Arena, the Red Bulls earned a 1-0 win thanks to a Thierry Henry first half strike. New York is unbeaten in their last four against New England, going 3-0-1. All-time, New York is 19-25-12 and 4-17-5 on the road against its Eastern Conference rival. New York will face New England for a third time on Sept. 22 at Gillette Stadium.

LAST WEEK

Red Bulls 1, Toronto FC 1 on Saturday, June 30 at BMO Field

THIS WEEK

Red Bulls at New England Revolution on Sunday, July 8 at Gillette Stadium at 7:00 PM (TV: MSG+; Radio: WLIB 1190 AM). Reserves match to follow.

NEXT WEEK

Red Bulls vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday, July 15 at Red Bull Arena at 4:00 PM (TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes; Radio: WLIB 1190 AM)

RED BULLS, TORONTO FC BATTLE TO 1-1 TIE

New York midfielder Jan Gunnar Solli's fourth minute goal was canceled out by a Danny Koevermans header two minutes later, as the Red Bulls and Toronto FC played to a 1-1 tie at BMO Field Saturday night.

The Red Bulls took the lead through Solli's second goal in as many games. On the right wing, Dane Richards cut the ball to Brandon Barklage, who swung a cross towards the back post. Solli muscled off his defender and volleyed it home with his right foot from close range. The Norwegian's tally came a game after he recorded his first career MLS goal last Sunday in a 3-2 win over United.

However, the hosts answered in the sixth minute and tied the encounter. Torsten Frings' out-swinging corner kick found an open Koevermans and the Dutch striker made no mistake, heading it into the back of the net past goalkeeper Ryan Meara.

Both teams were fairly even for the remainder of the first half. Thierry Henry tried to give the visitors the lead again in the 30th minute, attempting to catch goalkeeper Milos Kocic sleeping by hitting a quick free kick that flew over the crossbar. With a minute left in the half, Joel Lindpere's pass into the box eluded forward Kenny Cooper and caromed off the left post. On the other end, Koevermans was first to a Frings free kick and poked it wide right of the goal mouth.

In the second half, the Red Bulls applied pressure and Henry nearly had his 10th goal of the season, one-timing a Cooper feed just off target. Almost 20 minutes in, Solli ran at defender Jeremy Hall and slid a dangerous ball across the six-yard box that was a bit too far for Henry. Later, Henry threaded it through to a streaking Lindpere and defender Logan Emory was back to make a potentially goal-saving tackle for Toronto FC, sliding it away from the Estonian.

SOLLI SCORES SECOND STRAIGHT

After going goalless in 42 games with the Red Bulls, midfielder Jan Gunnar Solli has scored two goals in two consecutive matches. The Norwegian most recently found the back of the net last Saturday, volleying home a Brandon Barklage cross in a 1-1 tie against Toronto FC. Six days prior, Solli picked a good time to score his first MLS goal, as his 55th minute tally against D.C. United proved to be the game-winning goal in a 3-2 victory at Red Bull Arena. Solli is in the midst of his second season with the club and has played in 44 total matches, registering nine assists.

DANE CLIMBING

With his next appearance, Red Bulls midfielder Dane Richards will move into sole possession of second place on New York's all-time games played list. If Richards plays on Sunday at New England, it will be his 147th regular season appearance for the club, which will put him over defender Carlos Mendes for second place all-time. Former defender and current Red Bulls Assistant Coach Mike Petke is first all-time with 169. Richards is already second in games started for the club (131) and minutes played (11,609), trailing only Petke (158, 14,060)

HENRY RETURNS TO LINEUP

Red Bulls captain and forward Thierry Henry returned to action on June 24 against D.C., having last appeared on May 23 against Chivas USA. Henry came off the bench and replaced Joel Lindpere in the 70th minute, registering one shot on goal. On Saturday, Henry made a start and played 90 minutes in the team's 1-1 tie with Toronto FC. Henry is second on the team in goals this season with nine and leads the club with five assists in 11 appearances. He missed two games (Chicago, June 17 and Vancouver, June 20) due to a right calf strain.

RED BULLS RESERVES FALL TO CREW RESERVES, 3-1

The New York Red Bulls Reserves fell to the Columbus Crew Reserves, 3-1, on Monday morning at Montclair State University Soccer Park at Pittser Field in Montclair, NJ.

During the first half, Columbus applied pressure to the Red Bulls defense and the first goal came in the 34th minute. An open Jairo Arrieta dribbled into the box and fired a left-footed shot that beat goalkeeper Jeremy Vuolo and found the bottom corner of the net.

Columbus continued their strong start in the second half with another goal in the 59th minute by Olman Vargas. Justin Meram was free on the right side of the field and cut to his left foot, before finding Vargas, who tucked it home to double the Crew's lead.

But the Red Bulls responded in kind with a goal in the 67th minute off of a free kick by Mehdi Ballouchy. Ballouchy's in-swinger from the left wing evaded every player, including Crew goalkeeper Matt Lampson, and nestled into the net.

Columbus scored another goal solidifying their lead to 3-1, in the 77th minute with a Meram header off a cross from the left wing by Ben Speas. The Red Bulls came close to closing the gap with a one-time shot by Ballouchy in the 81st minute, but the ball zipped just by the right post.

HOME SWEET HOME

With their victory over D.C. United on Sunday, June 24, the Red Bulls improved their record at home this season to 5-0-2. The Houston Dynamo (4-0-2) is the only other unbeaten team at home in MLS.

RECORD CROWD

The Red Bulls' 3-2 win over D.C. United on June 24 was attended by a record crowd at Red Bull Arena for a Red Bulls match (25,187). It broke the previous Red Bull Arena record set on Oct. 4, 2011 - a day when the Red Bulls won 2-0 over the LA Galaxy.

COMEBACK KIDS

Following the June 24, 3-2 win against D.C. United, the Red Bulls are now 3-4-2 after conceding the first goal of the match. New York also came back on March 31 and May 19 against the Montreal Impact (5-2 and 2-1 decisions, respectively). Between the 2009-11 seasons, out of 53 games overall, the Red Bulls only came back after letting in the opening strike once - a 2-1 win over FC Dallas on April 17, 2010 at Red Bull Arena. Ironically, the lone goalscorer of that match was midfielder Dax McCarty, who headed it into the back of the net. McCarty's header came off a cross from defender Heath Pearce. McCarty and Pearce now both play for the Red Bulls.

RED BULLS LOAN HERTZOG TO WILMINGTON FOR REST OF YEAR

The New York Red Bulls announced June 27 that the loan of forward Corey Hertzog to USL-PRO side Wilmington Hammerheads was extended for the remainder of the USL-PRO season. The teams had initially agreed to a one month loan for the former Penn State University forward on May 29.

"Corey and the club discussed the possibility of extending his loan to the end of the year and we both agreed that it was in his best interest to stay with Wilmington to play more competitive matches," said Red Bulls General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler. "We wish him luck in Wilmington and we look forward to having him back once their season is over."

While on loan with the Hammerheads, Hertzog has played in seven matches and registered four goals and two assists. Wilmington is currently in fourth place in USL-PRO with a 5-4-4 record.

Originally drafted by New York in the first round (13th overall) of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft out of Penn State University, Hertzog had not made a first team appearance for the Red Bulls in 2012. Last season, Hertzog featured in five regular season games. Hertzog scored one goal in three MLS Reserve League appearances this year.

RED BULLS TO HOST TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR ON JULY 31 AT RED BULL ARENA

The New York Red Bulls will face English Premiership club, Tottenham Hotspur, on Tuesday, July 31, at Red Bull Arena as part of the inaugural Barclays New York Cup Powered by Under Armour. Kickoff time and broadcast information will be announced at a later date.

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 Tottenham match by logging onto www.newyorkredbulls.com or calling 1.877.RBSOCCER.

"Tottenham has been one of the top EPL teams over the past several years and we are thrilled to play host to them at Red Bull Arena," said Chris Heck, New York Red Bulls President, Business Operations. "We are also excited to bring an elite international club as a reward for our season ticket holders and the supporters for both clubs. There will be several exciting events prior to, during and after the match that will have the direct involvement of fans and we are looking forward to revealing more details later this spring."

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to take part. We enjoyed an excellent match against the Red Bulls during our last tour to the US and we expect this game to be equally competitive," said Tottenham Hotspur Chairman Daniel Levy. "In recent years, we have seen a significant rise in the number of Spurs fans across the USA and especially in and around New York and New Jersey. This match presents us with a great opportunity to give something back to those fans and also introduce new supporters to the Spurs way of playing soccer."

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 Croatian midfielder Luka Modric. In addition, former U.S. Men's National Team standout goalkeeper Brad Friedel plays for Spurs.

Tottenham came to Red Bull Arena on July 22, 2010 as part of the New York Football 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 English Premier League sides and are 42-26-15 in international play.

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 2, 2012


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