RED BULLS HEAD HOME TO FACE RSL:
The New York Red Bulls will return to Giants Stadium and look for their first win of the regular season when they host Real Salt Lake in a rematch of last year's Western Conference Final.
New York (0-2-2, 2 pts.) is coming off a physical 0-0 tie against the Houston Dynamo at Robertson Stadium - a game which saw six yellow cards, two red cards and a combined 28 fouls. They host a Real Salt Lake (2-1-0, 6 pts.) squad that is on a two-game winning streak after knocking off the Columbus Crew, 4-1, on April 2 and D.C. United, 2-1, last Saturday. Against D.C. United, Real Salt Lake went a goal down when Luciano Emilio tallied in the 38th minute. However, defender Jamison Olave leveled the match two minutes later and midfielder Javier Morales secured the game-winner 10 minutes from full time. With the win, RSL moved to fourth place in the Western Conference.
Saturday's showdown will be the first time the two clubs have met since last season's Western Conference Final - a match that the Red Bulls won, 1-0, booking their first-ever trip to the MLS Cup Final. Former Red Bulls midfielder Dave van den Bergh was the lone goalscorer, putting home a John Wolyniec cross. New York was then able to sustain a significant amount of pressure and goalkeeper Danny Cepero made seven saves to preserve the shutout.
The Red Bulls have never lost to RSL in the teams' four-year rivalry, going 2-0-6 all-time. New York won the 2008 season series against their Western Conference rival with a 1-0-1 record. On Sept. 13, the Red Bulls defeated RSL, 2-1, at Giants Stadium. Forward Yura Movsisyan put Real Salt Lake up in the 38th minute, but second half goals from Juan Pablo Angel and van den Bergh gave the Red Bulls the three points. The two teams also played to a 1-1 draw on Oct. 9 in the opening of RSL's new home, Rio Tinto Stadium. Van den Bergh put the Red Bulls ahead in the 31st minute. However, Olave scored 10 minutes later to tie the game. Forward Robbie Findley leads Real Salt Lake with three goals and two assists, while Kyle Beckerman, Morales and Olave have also scored a goal apiece. Goalkeeper Nick Rimando - a former Red Bull who played with New York during the 2007 preseason - has a 1.33 goals against average.
CLUB HOSTS "TOPPING OFF" CEREMONY TOMORROW: Red Bull New York will conduct the traditional "topping off" ceremony on Tuesday, April 14, 2009, at 1:00 PM at the site of their new home in Harrison, New Jersey - Red Bull Arena. The new 25,000 seat soccer-specific stadium, that is scheduled to open in 2010 is located at 600 Cape May Street in Harrison.
Who: Senator President Richard J. Codey
Governor's Office of Economic Growth Chief Jerry Zaro
Town of Harrison Mayor Raymond McDonough
Hudson County Executive Thomas A. DeGise
MLS Commissioner Don Garber
Red Bull New York Managing Director Erik Stover
What: Topping Off Ceremony for Red Bull Arena, new home for the New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Where: 600 Cape May Street
Harrison New Jersey 07029
Red Bull Arena is located on Cape May Street (cross street is Frank E. Rodgers Blvd.)
When: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Why: Last piece of steel to be laid in place at Red Bull Arena
RED BULLS HOST BONE MARROW DRIVE: The New York Red Bulls will host a bone marrow match drive on Saturday April 18, 2009 to benefit Real Salt Lake midfielder Andy Williams' wife, Marcia, who is battling leukemia. Fans are invited to arrive early for the match at Giants Stadium as the Red Bulls team up with Real Salt Lake and DKMS, the largest bone marrow donor center in the world, to hold a life-saving bone marrow donor drive. It is crucial to find a matching bone marrow donor for Williams.
New York Red Bulls Managing Director Erik Stover and select players will show their support for the Williams family before the match by being tested to become potential bone marrow donors.
The bone marrow donor registration process is quick and easy. All fans need to do is complete a registration form and a cheek swab. The testing is free.
As a non-profit organization, DKMS relies on the generosity of individuals to help finance the $65 cost DKMS pays to tissue type each bone marrow donor who registers. Donations are voluntary and will be collected in the Stadium Club at Giants Stadium. Donate today! Every dollar counts! 100% of your donation will be used to register donors and add them on the National Registry.
About DKMS
DKMS was founded in Germany in 1991 by Peter Harf and Professor Dr. Gerhard Ehninger, after Peter lost his wife, Mechtild, to acute leukemia. Today DKMS is the world's largest marrow donor center with over 1.8 million registered marrow donors. Since its founding, DKMS has facilitated more than 16,000 transplants.
The mission of DKMS is to give every blood cancer patient a second chance at like by recruiting marrow donors from every race and ethnicity. We inspire hope and healing by matching our donors with patients around the world in need of a marrow transplant.
DKMS Americas is a 501 (c)(3) non profit organization.
For more information about DKMS or to donate, please visit www.dkmsamericas.org or call 1.866.340.3567
2009 MLS STANDINGS
Click here to view the MLS standings.
LAST WEEK: Red Bulls 0, Houston Dynamo 0 on April 11 at Robertson Stadium
THIS WEEK: Red Bulls vs. Real Salt Lake on April 18 at 7:30 PM ET at Giants Stadium (TV: MSG; Radio: WADO 1280 AM)
NEXT WEEK: Red Bulls at Kansas City Wizards on April 23 at 8:00 PM ET at CommunityAmerica Ballpark (TV: ESPN2, ESPN Deportes; Radio: WADO 1280 AM)
RED BULLS TOUGH OUT POINT IN HOUSTON: The New York Red Bulls earned a gritty 0-0 tie against the Houston Dynamo last Saturday night at Robertson Stadium in a rematch of last year's Western Conference Semifinal Series..
In the third minute, the Red Bulls had a chance on goal when midfielder Seth Stammler, who made his first start and appearance since coming back from knee surgery last October, took a shot from 30-yards-out that goalkeeper Pat Onstad parried away.
The Red Bulls had to make their first substitution just eight minutes in when goalkeeper Danny Cepero collided head-to-head with Dynamo forward Kei Kamara after they were both going for a Brad Davis free kick. Both players were down on the field for a few minutes. Cepero had sustained a Grade One Concussion and he was replaced by rookie goalkeeper Alec Dufty, who made his first-ever MLS appearance. In the 23rd minute, Dufty stopped his first shot - holding onto a Kamara shot from outside of the penalty box. Two minutes earlier, Jorge Rojas hit a blast that Onstad was forced to punch away. Dufty ended up making two saves.
In the 36th minute, the hosts almost went ahead. A Dynamo long ball was flicked into Ching's path and he was adjudged to be onside. Ching went in alone on goal but lobbed the ball over Dufty and the goal.
Red Bulls defender Carlos Johnson earned his first MLS start for the Red Bulls. Midfielder Albert Celades made his MLS debut, coming on in the 65th minute for Stammler. Red Bulls defender Kevin Goldthwaite left the game in the 65th minute due to a hip pointer injury and was replaced by Mike Petke.
Houston applied pressure to take the lead and went a man up after Johnson was given a straight red card in the 78th minute for a tackle from behind on defender Geoff Cameron. Johnson is suspended for the team's next match. The Dynamo had a chance to win it at the end when substitute Corey Ashe's cross found Ching, but the forward's header was held by Dufty. Moments later, Houston's Mike Chabala was shown a red card for a late tackle on defender Danleigh Borman.
CONWAY RETURNS, JOHNSON OUT: Red Bulls goalkeeper Jon Conway will be available for selection for New York's clash against Real Salt Lake Saturday. Conway has completed serving his 10-game suspension that he was given by MLS on Oct. 16 for violating the League's Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health policy by testing positive for two performance enhancing substances. Prior to serving the suspension, Conway was the team's starting goalkeeper, playing in 28 games and posting a 9-10-9 record with seven shutouts and a 1.50 goals against average. He is now in his fourth season with New York.
Defender Carlos Johnson is suspended for the RSL match after picking up a red card in the 78th minute for a tackle from behind on Geoff Cameron in New York's 0-0 tie against Houston last Saturday.
SUPER STAMM: Red Bulls midfielder Seth Stammler made his return to the field, starting and playing 64 minutes before being substituted for Albert Celades. It was Stammler's first regular season match back since undergoing right knee surgery on Oct. 31, 2008 to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee. He had played with the torn meniscus since late August. He is the longest consecutively-tenured Red Bull, having been with the club since 2004 when he was drafted in the second round (18th overall) of the 2004 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of Maryland. In 2008, Stammler started and played in 26 games, recording one goal and four assists. He is four games shy of making 100 appearances in MLS.
DEBUTANTS: Several Red Bulls made notable debuts in the team's 0-0 tie against Houston last Saturday. After making his MLS debut a week earlier, defender Carlos Johnson made his first MLS start. Midfielder Albert Celades played in his first MLS game, coming on for Seth Stammler in the 64th minute. Rookie goalkeeper Alec Dufty was put into his first MLS match just eight minutes in after Danny Cepero was knocked out of the game with a concussion.
Johnson, 24, was most recently with Norwegian Second Division side, Bryne FK, where he made 17 appearances and scored one goal in 2008. Prior to his time in Norway, the right back spent four years the Costa Rican First Division's CS Herediano. There, he played in 91 games and tallied four goals.
Johnson, who was brought up through CS Cartagines' (Costa Rica First Division) youth system, has earned seven caps for the senior national team. He has played at several national team youth levels including representing the Costa Rican Under-17 World Cup squad in 2001.
Celades was signed by New York on March 11, 2009. He is a veteran of the Spanish First Division (La Liga), having played for FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. The 33-year old began his career with Barcelona, appearing in 72 matches over four seasons and helping the Catalan side to multiple domestic and international titles, including two La Liga and Spanish Cup titles, as well as the 1997 UEFA SuperCup. After a stint with Celta Vigo, he made 56 appearances over five seasons with Real Madrid, playing a role in winning two La Liga championships and the 2001-02 UEFA Champions League.
Following a one-year loan to FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Celades made 72 appearances over three seasons with Real Zaragoza in Spain. Celades trained with the Red Bulls in Argentina in late February and early March.
Dufty joined the Red Bulls' preseason camp as a guest player in January after he was not selected in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. Prior to coming to New York, Dufty attended the University of Evansville. In his senior year, Dufty started in 16 of 18 games, posting an 8-6-2 record, six shutouts and a 1.45 goals against average. A year before, the Raleigh, NC native was the Purple Aces' Most Valuable Defensive Player after recording 74 saves and three shutouts en route to earning 10 wins. Dufty, 22, was a two-time all-Missouri Valley Conference selection and also attended the 2009 MLS Combine in January. Dufty started his college career at Appalachian State University before transferring to Evansville during his sophomore year. He participated in U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team training camp in May 2006.
RED BULLS-DYNAMO POST-GAME:Click here to read the Red Bulls' postgame reactions.
CLUB ADDS NEW ONLINE INITIATIVES: The New York Red Bulls have added several new multimedia initiatives across the team's web portals, including the team's official website: NewYorkRedBulls.com.
Adding to the club's existing list of web content, including Red Bulls Wrap, a weekly podcast, Red Bulls Insider, a bi-weekly video program taking a behind-the-scenes look at the Red Bulls, the Red Bulls Facebook page, and RedBullsReader.com, the official blog of the club, are two new podcast offerings as well as two Twitter options.
This season the team has launched two new podcasts. Red Bulls Al Aire, a Spanish language offering hosted by the radio voices of the club, Ernesto Motta and Robert Sierra, posts new episodes every Wednesday. Every Thursday, a new offering is online from Petke's Podcasts, hosted by New York and MLS veteran Mike Petke, provides the players' view on the club, from the defender's unique, and often hilarious, point of view. All three podcasts are available through iTunes.
The Red Bulls and Mike Petke have also joined Twitter.com, offering thoughts and information from the club 140 characters at a time. Follow the club at www.twitter.com/redbullsreader, and follow Petke at www.twitter.com/petkemike.
RED BULL ACADEMY UPDATE: APRIL 13
A Look Back
U20s: Did not play.
U18s: U18 Red Bulls dropped a 1-0 decision to U18 PDA on an injury time goal Thursday, April 9 in US Soccer Development Academy action. In a game that was fairly even throughout, PDA scored in the 92nd minute off a header from a free kick. In the first half, the Red Bulls had the best chance to open the scoring. Shiroc Jean-Baptiste rifled a shot from the top of the box that hit the underside of the crossbar and the goal line before being cleared.
"It was a well played game from both sides tonight," stated U18 coach Paul O'Donnell. "It was a typical derby match in which both teams competed for every ball and tackle. We have been stressing the importance of being organized defensively and not giving away easy opportunities. We were exceptional tonight in the back; Kevin Finnegan was outstanding. When he was taken off with the injury in the last 10 minutes we really missed his organization and presence on the field."
U16s: The Red Bull U16s extended their undefeated streak to 16 (13-0-3) with a 1-0 win away at PDA on Thursday night April 9th in US Soccer Development Academy action.
In an intense game, the U16s got a goal in the 65th minute from Mike Innocenzi on a pass from Victor Manosalvas. Innocenzi beat the PDA goalkeeper to the Manosalvas pass and chipped it in over a defender from a tough angle to give the Red Bulls all they would need as Keith Cardona went the distance for the shutout.
"This was an intense game and both teams competed very well tonight." said Rob Elliott, U16 head coach. "In the second half we were able to control the game a little bit more and created a few good chances."
NOTE: The New York Red Bulls U16s are the only undefeated team left out of the 148 teams participating in the US Soccer Development Academy.
U15s: The Red Bull U15s advanced as a wild card to the Round of 16 in their portion of the Mediterranean International Cup in Spain last week before being eliminated by eventual runner-up Valencia FC (Spain). The U15s were playing up a classification, participating in the U16 age bracket.
In the Red Bulls' opening match of group play, the U15s dropped a 1-0 decision to Aspire FC (Qatar) on a goal scored in the last four minutes of the match. The team was then defeated by Girona FC (Spain), 3-0, before bouncing back with a 3-1 win over FFC Garraf Penedes (Spain) in the final game of the group stage thanks to two goals by Danny Bartok, both assisted by Adam Najem. The team was able to advance to the knockout round by earning wild card berth.
In the Round of 16, the Red Bulls tournament ended with a 7-0 defeat to Valencia FC's U16 squad, who advanced all the way to the championship match before falling to RCD Espanyol, 1-0.
U14s: The U14 Red Bulls participated in the Mediterranean International Cup in Spain last week, posting an unbeaten 4-0-1 record. The team won its group with a perfect 3-0-0 record to advance to the second round, and did not lose in the Second Round (1-0-1), but fell short of the quarterfinals due to goal average.
The team defeated Kenkre FC (India), 5-0, in its opening game of group play behind a brace from Clayton Taylor, as well as goals from Nick Innocenzi, Arun Basulavic and Matt Miazaga. In the U14s second group stage match, a last minute strike from 23 meters out by Luis Munoz propelled the Red Bulls to a 2-1 win over FPE Mataro (Spain). The U14s took the early lead in the 11th minute on a Matt Miazaga header from Arun Basulavic. Head Coach Cris da Silva's squad bested Gimnastic Manresa (Spain)
Second Round play opened with a match with Alboraya UD (Spain), a match which ended in a 0-0 draw. The second match of the second round saw the Red Bulls post a 1-0 win over Nastic Tarragona SAD (Spain). A second half goal from Luis Monez proved to be the difference.
A Look Ahead:
Saturday, April 18
U16 Red Bulls at U16 BW Gottschee 1:00pm (US Soccer Development Academy League)
U18 Red Bulls at U18 BW Gottschee 3:00pm (US Soccer Development Academy League)
U14 Red Bulls vs. U14 FC Greater Boston 2:00pm @ Rutgers-Newark (US Club Northeast Pre Academy League)
U15 Red Bulls vs. U15 FC Greater Boston 4:00pm @ Rutgers-Newark (US Club Northeast Pre Academy League)
Sunday, April 19
U16 Red Bulls at U16 Albertson 1:00pm (US Soccer Development Academy League)
U18 Red Bulls at U18 Albertson 3:00pm (US Soccer Development Academy League)
U14 Red Bulls at U14 BW Gottschee 3:00pm (US Club Northeast Pre Academy League)
U15 Red Bulls at U15 BW Gottschee 4:30pm (US Club Northeast Pre Academy League)
