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MLS New York Red Bulls

Weekly Update: Red Bulls Host Montreal Impact Saturday Looking for Second-Straight Win

March 26, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York Red Bulls News Release


RED BULLS HOST MONTREAL IMPACT SATURDAY

Fresh off their first win of the 2012 season, the New York Red Bulls return to action at Red Bull Arena on Saturday, March 31 when they host the expansion Montreal Impact for the first time in club history. Kickoff is slated for 4:00 PM ET (TV: MSG). Tickets are available by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER or logging onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.

The Red Bulls currently sit tied for fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 3 points on a record of 1-2-0. New York earned its first victory of the season on Sunday, winning its home opener by a 4-1 score over the visiting Colorado Rapids. Forwards Thierry Henry and Kenny Cooper combined for all four of the team's goals, scoring two apiece, while goalkeeper Ryan Meara earned his first professional victory, making four saves.

Montreal is seeking the first MLS victory in club history, as the Impact has begun the season 0-2-1. They're currently in a tie for seventh place in the Eastern Conference with D.C. United, as both clubs are on one point. In its last match on Saturday, the Impact dropped a 2-0 decision away to the Columbus Crew. Montreal played most of the game with 10 men, as defender Jeb Brovsky was shown a straight red card just 19 minutes in. Montreal is coached by former D.C. United, Chicago Fire, and Chivas USA defender Jesse Marsch.

THIS WEEK

Red Bulls vs. Montreal Impact at Red Bull Arena on Saturday, March 31 at 4:00 PM ET (TV: MSG)

NEXT WEEK

Red Bulls at Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium on Saturday, April 7 at 3:00 PM ET (TV: MSG/Galavision)

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.

RED BULLS RUSH PAST RAPIDS, 4-1, IN HOME OPENER

Two goals from forwards Thierry Henry and Kenny Cooper lifted the New York Red Bulls to their first win of the 2012 season, a 4-1 victory over the visiting Colorado Rapids Sunday afternoon in front of 21,024 at Red Bull Arena. In New York's home opener, the Red Bulls scored twice in the game's first six minutes, and rookie goalkeeper Ryan Meara made four saves to earn his first career win. With the victory, the Red Bulls moved to 1-2-0, 3 points, and sit tied for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

The Red Bulls' early offensive pressure led to the game's first goal just three minutes in. Colorado had possession in their own end when Henry intercepted Ross LaBeaux's wayward back pass. The Frenchman dribbled the ball into the box and warded off a defender before sliding the ball underneath Matt Pickens for his first goal of the season.

New York kept their foot on the gas pedal and quickly doubled their lead on Cooper's second goal of the season and 50th in his MLS career. Rafa Marquez, making his season debut after missing the first two matches of the season due to suspension, played a short pass to Henry near midfield. Henry looked up and slid a through ball between two defenders and into the path of Cooper, who took a few touches before hitting a well-placed shot just inside the left post.

The Rapids' best chance came of the first half came in the 32nd minute off a long free kick that was headed towards goal by Jaime Castrillon, but rookie goalkeeper Ryan Meara kept it out with a diving save.

Henry nearly had his second goal of the game in the 51st minute. Joel Lindpere, who made his 58th consecutive start on Sunday, lofted a high pass over the defense to Henry and his effort was thwarted by Pickens.

However, a minute later, Henry doubled his account and give the Red Bulls a 3-0 lead. Referee Jorge Gonzalez called a foul on the Rapids, setting up a free kick just before the midfield stripe. Wilman Conde caught the Rapids off guard, looping a pass to Henry, who had run behind the defense. Henry made no mistake with his finish, depositing it inside the far post. The assist was Conde's first as a Red Bull. Conde made his first appearance for New York Sunday.

The Rapids pulled one back in the 77th minute. Marquez was dispossessed by Castrillon, who deflected the ball to an open Omar Cummings. Cummings made good use of his space, setting himself up for a long-range shot from 24 yards out, which he curled over Meara and into the net.

Cooper added his second goal of the game and third of the season in the 89th minute. At the left edge of the penalty area, Henry touched a pass to Roy Miller, who dribbled in along the endline. Miller crossed to Cooper and the forward roofed the ball over Pickens to round out the scoring.

DOUBLE DIP/COOPER REACHES 50

Red Bulls forwards Thierry Henry and Kenny Cooper both scored twice in the Red Bulls' victory over Colorado on Saturday. It was the first time two Red Bulls had multiple goals in the same match since Oct. 24, 2009, when Juan Pablo Angel and Macoumba Kandji both scored twice in a 5-0 win over Toronto FC at Giants Stadium.

Cooper recorded his 50th and 51st goals in MLS play on Sunday, becoming the 29th player in league history to reach that mark. He is in a four-way tie for 25th all-time in MLS regular season goals scored with Wolde Harris, Chris Henderson and Giovanni Savarese. Former New York players who are also on that exclusive 50-plus goal list include Jaime Moreno (#2 "" 133 goals), Ante Razov (#4 "" 114), Dwayne De Rosario (#7 "" 93), Edson Buddle (#8 "" 91), Juan Pablo Angel (#19 "" 68), Mark Chung (#T-20 "" 61), Clint Mathis (#T-20 "" 61), Diego Serna (#22 "" 57), Henderson (#T-25 "" 51) and Savarese (#T-25 "" 51).

A FIRST FOR MEARA

Red Bulls rookie goalkeeper Ryan Meara earned a milestone victory, the first of his professional career, on Sunday against the Rapids. Meara, the Crestwood, NY native and Fordham University product, made four saves in total.

DEBUT BULLS

Defender Wilman Conde and midfielder Brandon Barklage both made their Red Bulls debuts on Sunday against Colorado. After missing the team's first two games due to injury, Conde started and played all 90 minutes, and also picked up his first assist for the club when he set up Thierry Henry's second goal of the match in the 53rd minute. Barklage came off the bench and replaced Dane Richards in the 90th minute.

LINDPERE THE IRONMAN

Joel Lindpere started his 58th consecutive game on Sunday vs. Colorado. Lindpere ranks second in the league in consecutive starts, only behind Vancouver Whitecaps FC forward Sebastien Le Toux, who has started 61 consecutive matches.

RICHARDS CONTINUES TO CLIMB

By starting in Sunday's 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids, midfielder Dane Richards moved past Jeff Parke into fifth place on the club's all-time games played list. It was the Jamaican's 133rd regular season appearance. Richards also ranks sixth in starts (118), eighth in goals (20) and fourth in assists (24).

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 54 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.

AGUDELO TO UNDERGO KNEE SURGERY, EXPECTED TO MISS SIX WEEKS

The New York Red Bulls announced that forward Juan Agudelo underwent surgery Monday to repair a torn medial meniscus in his left knee. The procedure was performed by Dr. Riley Williams at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. Expected recovery time is up to six weeks.

Agudelo suffered the injury while he was with the United States Under-23 Men's National Team during a 6-0 win over Cuba on March 22 in Nashville, TN as part of the 2012 CONCACAF Men's Qualifying Tournament. The 19-year-old and former Red Bulls Academy product just began his third MLS season and has made one start this year, playing the full 90 minutes against FC Dallas in a 2-1 loss on March 11 before departing for international duty.

RED BULLS ACADEMY UPDATE

Academy enjoys 6-1 weekend: The New York Red Bulls Academy went a combined 6-1 this weekend, with each age group taking on NJSA of Jackson, NJ while the Under-16 and Under-18 sides also had games against Matchfit Chelsea.

The Under-18 team won both of its games this weekend, upending Matchfit on Saturday and NJSA on Sunday. Brandon Allen continued his excellent form over the weekend, scoring the only goal of the game on Saturday in the Red Bulls' 1-0 victory over Matchfit. After a scoreless first half, Allen headed in a Danny Bedoya cross in the 66th minute. Goalkeepers Santiago Castano and Max Brown combined in goal for the shutout. On Sunday, Allen once again opened the scoring, this time in the 32nd minute. The Red Bulls got an insurance goal just seven minutes from full time on Mael Corboz's first tally of the season.

In their two victories this weekend, the Under-16 Red Bulls combined for 10 goals. On Saturday against Matchfit, Joe Ohaus and Gianni Carillo combined for the shutout, as the Red Bulls rolled to a 5-0 victory. Adam Najem notched a goal and an assist, while Amando Moreno, Alex Muyl, Malcolm Dixon and Derrick Etienne each got their name on the scoresheet. The offense stayed potent on Sunday against NJSA in a 5-2 win. Moreno and Muyl both scored twice, while Vinny Brunetti scored his first of the season.

On Sunday, the Under-14 Red Bulls rushed past NJSA by a 5-0 score. Despite not being able to score in the first half, the Red Bulls' offense exploded in the second half. Jerel Blades was the star of the day, scoring four of the team's five goals.

The Under-13 Red Bulls Pre-Academy side cruised to an impressive road victory over NJSA on Saturday. It took just two minutes for Dantae Greer to open the scoring, his first of two goals on the afternoon. Markez Zalla notched a hat trick, while Mitko Bozinov and Hunter Pinho split the duties between the posts, earning the combined clean sheet.

The Under-15 Red Bulls surrendered one goal before halftime and two after, failing to crack the NJSA defense as they fell, 3-0 on Saturday.

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