MLS Red Bull New York

Weekly Update: Red Bulls Visit Vancouver Wednesday, Return Home for D.C. United

Published on June 18, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Red Bull New York News Release


RED BULLS FACE WHITECAPS WEDNESDAY

After seeing their six-match MLS unbeaten streak come to a halt on Sunday at Chicago, the Red Bulls look to regroup quickly when they take on Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Wednesday at BC Place. The match is set for an 11:00 PM ET kickoff (TV: MSG+; Radio: WLIB 1190 AM).

Despite coming back from a one-goal deficit to tie the match, the Red Bulls fell on Sunday, 3-1 at Chicago. Dax McCarty's second goal of the season in the 55th minute temporarily leveled the score, but the shorthanded Red Bulls, playing without the injured Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez, surrendered twice more in losing for the first time in league play since April 22 (a 4-1 loss at D.C. United). The loss put the Red Bulls in third place in the Eastern Conference with 26 points and an 8-4-3 record, four points off the first place pace set by D.C. United. New York has two games in hand over United.

Vancouver is unbeaten in its last four league matches, netting three points in its most recent game in a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids this past Saturday. In only their second season in Major League Soccer, the Whitecaps are off to an impressive start as they currently sit in third place in the competitive Western Conference with 25 points and a 7-3-4 record. Vancouver is led on the field by a bevy of solid attacking players, including veterans Sebastien LeToux and Eric Hassli. Head coach Martin Rennie is in his first year pulling the strings for the club.

Last season, the Red Bulls and Whitecaps played to two 1-1 draws, on May 28 in Vancouver and on Sept. 10 at Red Bull Arena. Wednesday's match will be the only meeting between the teams this season and New York's first ever visit to BC Place.

RED BULLS RETURN HOME SUNDAY, HOST RIVAL D.C. UNITED

The Red Bulls return home on Sunday to host rival D.C. United at 7:00 PM ET (TV: NBC Sports Network; Radio: WLIB 1190 AM). The first place United enters the match on a four-game winning streak, knocking off the Philadelphia Union on Saturday by a 1-0 score to improve to 9-4-3 with 30 points on the season. The match boasts two of the league's highest scoring teams, as D.C. leads MLS in goals with 29, while the Red Bulls are tied for second with the San Jose Earthquakes at 27.

This will be the second of three meetings for the Atlantic Cup. D.C. United took the first match of the series back on April 22 at home with a 4-1 win. The final meeting of the season will be back at RFK Stadium in the Nation's Capital on Aug. 27. The Red Bulls must win on Sunday to keep their chances of retaining the Atlantic Cup alive.

All-time, New York is 19-30-7 against D.C. United, including a 10-13-4 mark at home. Last season, each team won on the other's home turf. The Red Bulls won a one-sided affair on April 21 at RFK, 4-1, while D.C. came back with a 1-0 shutout victory on July 9 at Red Bull Arena.

RED BULLS-D.C. UNITED CONNECTIONS

Red Bulls midfielder Brandon Barklage spent the first three seasons of his professional career with D.C. United. He was drafted by the club in the third round of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft out of Saint Louis University. In three seasons with D.C. Barklage played in 11 games, earning three starts, and logging 341 minutes.

Dax McCarty spent a portion of the 2011 season with D.C. United. McCarty registered two assists in 13 total games. He was sent to the Red Bulls on June 27 in exchange for midfielder Dwayne De Rosario.

De Rosario had a short stint with the Red Bulls during the 2011 season. The team acquired him on April 1 from Toronto FC in exchange for Tony Tchani, Danleigh Borman and a first round MLS SuperDraft selection. During his two-plus months with the team, De Rosario appeared in 13 games, starting 12, producing two goals and three assists.

LAST WEEK

Red Bulls 1, Chicago Fire 3 on Sunday, June 17 at TOYOTA Park

THIS WEEK

Red Bulls at Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Wednesday, June 20 at 11:00 PM at BC Place (TV: MSG+; Radio: WLIB 1190 AM)

Red Bulls vs. D.C. United on Sunday, June 24 at 7:00 PM ET at Red Bull Arena (TV: NBC Sports Network; Radio: WLIB 1190 AM)

NEXT WEEK

Red Bulls at Toronto FC on Saturday, June 30 at BMO Field (TV: MSG; Radio: WLIB 1190 AM)

MCCARTY GETS HIS SECOND

The Red Bulls' lone goal on Sunday in their 3-1 loss to the Chicago Fire came from midfielder Dax McCarty. McCarty's 55th minute header off a corner kick was his second of the 2012 season and his seventh career goal. Now in his seventh MLS season, the 25-year-old has played in 136 matches, starting 110, and has registered 24 assists in regular season play.

MARQUEZ, HENRY TO MISS VANCOUVER TILT

Red Bulls captain Thierry Henry and fellow designated player Rafa Marquez were both injured for the team's 3-1 loss to the Chicago Fire on Sunday and will remain out for the club's match on Wednesday at Vancouver. Henry, who is third in MLS in goals and second on the club with nine, is nursing a right calf strain, while Marquez is out with a thigh injury.

HENRY, COOPER AMONG SIX RED BULLS ON ALL-STAR BALLOT

Six members of the Red Bulls are on the fan ballot for the 2012 MLS All Star Team, who will take on UEFA Champions League winner Chelsea FC on July 25 at PPL Park, home of the Philadelphia Union. The Red Bulls who are on the ballot are goalkeeper Ryan Meara, defender Heath Pearce, forwards Kenny Cooper and Thierry Henry and midfielders Joel Lindpere and Dane Richards. The All-Star First XI is chosen by fan voting.

To vote, click here: http://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2012/vote

COOPER STILL ON TOP

Despite a lengthy break in MLS play, Red Bulls forward Kenny Cooper still stands atop the league's goal scoring list, tied at 11 with San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski. Cooper's teammate Thierry Henry, who has battled injury and missed five matches, is third with nine.

GREAT DANE

Red Bulls midfielder Dane Richards is now third on the club's all-time regular season games played list (144 games played). With his appearance on May 23 against Chivas USA, Richards passed Seth Stammler and John Wolyniec to move into sole possession of third place. Richards now only trails Carlos Mendes (146) and Mike Petke (169) in all-time games played.

Additionally, Richards' assist on Kenny Cooper's goal on May 23 was his 26th career assist in the regular season, which is third-best in New York history. Richards is 10 assists behind Tab Ramos and Amado Guevara, who lead the club in all-time assists.

RED BULLS ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP WITH JAG PHYSICAL THERAPY

The New York Red Bulls and JAG Physical Therapy are excited to announce a partnership agreement that makes JAG Physical Therapy the Official Physical Therapy Partner of the New York Red Bulls Academy and Training Programs.

"We are thrilled to partner with JAG Physical Therapy," Red Bulls President, Business Operations Chris Heck said. "Our Youth Development programs are a top priority and our players deserve the very best in soccer-specific injury prevention and treatment. That access, through JAG Physical Therapy's expertise and multiple locations throughout New Jersey, is a real resource for us."

"I am thrilled and excited to partner with a top class organization such as the New York Red Bulls," JAG Physical Therapy President, John Gallucci, Jr. said. "Myself, along with the entire JAG Physical Therapy team, will use our expertise to assist in maintaining their athletes at the highest level of physical fitness and health, ultimately keeping them on the field and ready to play."

RED BULLS LOAN HERTZOG TO WILMINGTON HAMMERHEADS

The New York Red Bulls announced May 29 they have loaned forward Corey Hertzog to USL PRO side, the Wilmington Hammerheads, for a month.

Hertzog, originally drafted by New York in the first round (13th overall) of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft out of Penn State University, 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 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, 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.

RED BULLS ACADEMY UPDATE: Under-18s cap off season with resounding victory: The Red Bulls Academy Under-18 side finished up their USDA season with a 3-0 victory over local rival PDA on Saturday

The match started out with a bevy of chances from the Red Bulls, with solid play from the PDA goalkeeper keeping the game level. Finally, a minute from the interval, leading scorer Brandon Allen broke the deadlock. Allen received the ball from Scotty Thomsen at the top of the box and beat a defender before curling in a right-footed shot from distance for his 26th goal of the season.

The second half remained mostly a close affair until the Red Bulls broke the match open late. In the 78th minute, Thomsen took a nifty cross from Danny Bedoya and finished from inside the box to double the lead. Seven minutes later, Allen converted for his 27th goal of the season, with Bedoya again getting credited with the assist.

"The performance today was one of our best of the season," U-18 captain Thomsen said. "All of the players contributed to the team effort today and we are really looking forward to the play-offs."

The Under-16 Red Bulls also wrapped up their regular season with a 3-0 victory against PDA over the weekend. Vinny Brunetti had a hand in all three goals, scoring once and assisting on each of the Red Bulls' other two. Derrick Etienne and and Izzy Tandir both also found the back of the net and Evan Louro earned the shutout for the U-16s, who will begin their playoffs next week in Dallas.

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