MLS New York Red Bulls

Weekly Update: Red Bulls Host Houston, Visit Philadelphia in Busy Week

Published on May 7, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York Red Bulls News Release


The New York Red Bulls continue their busy schedule with two Eastern Conference matches this week beginning on Wednesday when they host the Houston Dynamo at Red Bull Arena at 7:00 PM ET (TV: MSG+; Radio: WLIB 1190 AM).

The Red Bulls enter the week off consecutive 1-0 victories, the most recent of which coming this past Saturday when New York blanked the defending MLS Cup Champion Los Angeles Galaxy at The Home Depot Center. New York went on top on 19 minutes through Joel Lindpere's first goal of the season, and the Red Bulls' backline and goalkeeper Ryan Meara held firm in shutting down the potent Galaxy attack. The win improved New York to 5-3-1 on the season and its 16 points place them third in the Eastern Conference, two points behind D.C. United and five behind Sporting Kansas City. United has played two more games than the Red Bulls.

Houston enters the match 2-2-2 on the season, tied for seventh place in the Eastern Conference with eight points. The Dynamo have played all of their first six matches of the season away from home while the finishing touches are put on their brand new stadium, BBVA Compass Stadium, which will open this coming weekend when Houston hosts D.C. United on Saturday. After winning their first two matches of the season, the Texas side is in the midst of a four-match winless streak. The Dynamo was idle last week; their last match was a 3-2 loss at D.C. United on April 28. Forward Will Bruin leads the club with four goals and 23 shots this season.

Last season, the teams were dead even in the two matches against one another, drawing 1-1 on April 2 at Red Bull Arena and 2-2 on May 21 at Robertson Stadium. The Red Bulls have a slight advantage in the all-time series between the sides, going 3-2-7 in 12 matches against Houston. New York also defeated Houston in the 2008 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Quarterfinals, eliminating the Dynamo on their way to their first MLS Cup Final appearance.

The teams play twice more this season, meeting in consecutive matches on Aug. 3 at BBVA Compass Stadium and Aug. 10 at Red Bull Arena

RED BULLS-DYNAMO CONNECTIONS

Dynamo forward Macoumba Kandji was a member of the Red Bulls from 2008-2010. New York signed Kandji during the 2008 season on loan from the Atlanta Silverbacks of the then-USL First Division, and he eventually joined the club permanently. In 41 matches with New York, Kandji started 30, scoring six goals and registering seven assists. On Sept. 14, 2010, the team sent Kandji to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy.

NEW YORK-PHILLY RIVALRY RENEWS SUNDAY AT PPL PARK

On Sunday, the Red Bulls meet the rival Philadelphia Union for the first of three meetings this season, squaring off at PPL Park at 12:30 PM ET (TV: ESPN 2/ESPN Deportes; Radio: WLIB 1190 AM).

The Union currently sits in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, on seven points with a record of 2-5-1. After starting the season winless in its first four matches, the Union rebounded with two victories in its next two. However, Philadelphia has dropped its last two matches; this past Saturday, the Union fell 1-0 on the road to Seattle Sounders FC, surrendering the only goal of the match in the 63rd minute at CenturyLink Field.

Last season, the teams split the two-match season series with both teams defending their home field. Philadelphia shutout New York 1-0 on April 9, 2011 at PPL Park, and the Red Bulls clinched a playoff spot on the final day of the 2011 season with a 1-0 victory over the Union on Oct. 20 at Red Bull Arena. New York is looking for its first ever win at PPL Park, having gone 0-2-0 in its first two trips to Philadelphia. The Red Bulls host Philadelphia on July 21 before returning to PPL Park on Oct. 27 in the 2012 regular season finale.

RED BULLS-UNION CONNECTIONS

Union defender and Philadelphia, PA native Chris Albright spent the 2010 and 2011 seasons with the Red Bulls. Albright played in 26 total games in his two seasons, missing some time due to multiple injuries, registering two goals in 2,067 minutes.

Philadelphia goalkeeper Chris Konopka played one match for the Red Bulls last season as an MLS Pool Goalkeeper. He made four saves and surrendered two goals in a 2-2 tie with the Chicago Fire on Aug. 13.

LAST WEEK

Red Bulls 1, Los Angeles Galaxy 0 on Saturday, May 5 at The Home Depot Center

THIS WEEK

Red Bulls vs. Houston Dynamo at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday, May 9 at 7:00 PM ET (TV: MSG+; Radio: WLIB 1190 AM)

Red Bulls at Philadelphia Union at PPL Park on Sunday, May 13 at 12:30 PM ET (TV: ESPN2/ESPN Deportes/ESPN3; Radio: WLIB 1190 AM)

NEXT WEEK

Red Bulls at Montreal Impact at Olympic Stadium on Saturday, May 19 at 7:30 PM ET (TV: MSG; Radio: WLIB 1190 AM).

SOUTH WARD MAKES HISTORIC MARCH ON NYC

Fans from the New York Red Bulls' Empire Supporters Club, Garden State Ultras, and Viking Army marched down the streets of New York prior to Saturday night's match against the LA Galaxy. Traffic was stopped along West 33rd Street as the South Ward supporters marched from Greeley Square at 5:30 PM and headed east down W. 33rd Street before ending at The Football Factory at Legends "" the site of a viewing party for the Red Bulls-Galaxy match.

The South Ward supporters, who stand behind the goal in sections 132, 101, and 102 at Red Bull Arena, are known for their colorful passion and the tremendous atmosphere they bring to matches at Red Bull Arena with their singing, chanting, drumming, flag-waving and all-out support for the club.

For photos or videos of the march, contact the Red Bulls Communications Department.

NEW YORK EARNS SECOND STRAIGHT SHUTOUT, BLANKS GALAXY

The New York Red Bulls (5-3-1, 16 points) defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy (3-5-1, 10 points) Saturday night by the final of 1-0 to earn three big points on the road at The Home Depot Center.

Midfielder Joel Lindpere scored his first of the season and the only goal of the match when he sent one into the back of the net in the 19th minute. Defender Jan Gunnar Solli, who made his return to the lineup after recovering from a calf injury that left him out against New England, earned the assist, his second of the season.

One goal was all the Red Bulls would need to secure the victory, as the back line of Connor Lade, Tyler Ruthven, Markus Holgersson and Brandon Barklage limited a number of Galaxy chances throughout the full 90 minutes.

Holgersson, who wore the captain's armband in the wake of Thierry Henry's hamstring injury, made a goal-saving play off the line in the 13th minute when Galaxy forward Robbie Keane attempted a chip shot over Ryan Meara. Ruthven stepped up later in the match to make a big clearance from just outside the box when the Galaxy forwards attempted to organize a successful attack in the 53rd minute.

Meara, one week removed from his first-career MLS shutout, posted a four-save effort en route to a second-straight clean sheet. Two individual saves, one on Mike Magee and another on a heavy shot from Juninho in the 82nd minute, stood and helped the Red Bulls improve to 2-3-0 on the road this season.

YOUNG BACKLINE SHINES AGAIN

The Red Bulls' makeshift backline of Connor Lade, Tyler Ruthven, Markus Holgersson and Brandon Barklage has started two straight matches in a row and has yet to concede a goal. The foursome debuted on April 28, shutting out the New England Revolution 1-0 at Red Bull Arena, and followed it up this past Saturday by blanking the potent Los Angeles Galaxy attack in another 1-0 victory. Goalkeeper Ryan Meara made four saves against LA, earning his second career clean sheet. The five players currently have just 40 total combined games of MLS experience.

CONSECUTIVE CLEAN SHEETS

The Red Bulls have kept a clean sheet in consecutive regular season games for the first time since they earned three straight shutouts from April 16, 2011 to April 30, 2011. Late last season, New York did shut out two straight opponents; beating Philadelphia 1-0 in the final match of the regular season on Oct. 20 and FC Dallas 2-0 on Oct. 26 in the MLS Cup Playoffs Wild Card round.

LINDPERE GETS FIRST

Red Bulls midfielder Joel Lindpere notched the club's only goal in their 1-0 victory over the Galaxy on Saturday. Lindpere's 19th minute tally was his first of the season and 11th career regular season goal as a Red Bull. Lindpere has played in all nine of the Red Bulls matches this season, starting six.

AGUDELO RETURNS

Red Bulls forward Juan Agudelo made his return to the field on Saturday after missing six weeks recovering from surgery to repair a torn medial meniscus in his left knee. Agudelo started the Red Bulls' first match of the season, on March 11 at FC Dallas, and injured his knee while with the United States Under-23 National Team. On Saturday, Agudelo came off the bench and legged eight minutes. Since joining the Red Bulls in 2010, Agudelo has played in 31 regular season matches, notching six goals and two assists.

SCORING FIRST

The Red Bulls' 1-0 victory on Saturday extended their unbeaten streak under head coach Hans Backe in regular season games where the team scores first. In those games, New York is 28-0-11.

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 New York Invitational Cup. 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 through an exclusive three-game pack 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 in the inaugural New York Invitational Cup. 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, is currently fourth in the 2011-12 Barclays Premier League standings with 66 points. 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.

RED BULLS ACADEMY UPDATE: Under-14 and Under-15 Squads Sweep Weekend Matches: The Red Bulls Academy went 4-1-1 this weekend, bolstered by excellent efforts from the Under-14 and Under-15 teams, who both swept their weekend matches. The Under-14 Red Bulls enjoyed an impressive offensive couple of matches, overwhelming McLean Academy on Saturday with a four-goal outburst in the first half. In all, seven different Red Bulls found the back of the net on Saturday. On Sunday, the squad did itself one better against Potomac, as eight different players scored as the Red Bulls cruised.

Offense was the key as well for the Under-15 Red Bulls on Saturday as they defeated McLean Academy by a 6-1 score. Tyler Stowell and Tarek Fayed both scored twice for the Red Bulls, who also got goals from Harrison Steadman and Dante Perez. It was a bit tougher for the Under-15s on Sunday when they faced Potomac, but a solid defensive effort brought home another victory. James Buonavita converted a penalty kick for the game's only goal.

The Under-16 Red Bulls ran their unbeaten streak to 13 matches with a 1-1 tie against PDA. The Red Bulls fell behind before equalizing the game on a goal by Amanda Moreno, who was set up by Alex Muyl. A red card put the Red Bulls down a man, but the defense stayed tight in earning the draw.

On Saturday, the Under-18 Red Bulls were held scoreless by PDA, falling 1-0. Brandon Allen nearly tied the match in the 89th minute, but his last-gasp chance was cleared off the line by a PDA defender.

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 7, 2012


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