Red Bull New York announces '08 schedule

SECAUCUS, NJ - The New York Red Bulls today announced their 2008 MLS 30-game slate, which kicks off Saturday, April 5 when they host the Columbus Crew at 7:30 PM ET at Giants Stadium.

The 2008 season looks to be an exciting one in New York for the Red Bulls. The team will strive to reach new heights under the leadership of new Head Coach Juan Carlos Osorio and the offensive duo of Juan Pablo Angel and Jozy Altidore. Angel, a MLS MVP finalist in 2007, looks to improve upon his record setting 2007 season where he netted a team-record 19 goals in 24 appearances, while Altidore looks to continue his rise after a successful MLS off-season which saw him earn valuable experience playing with the U.S. Men's National Team.

Notable on the Red Bulls 2008 home schedule will be David Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy's return to New York on Saturday, July 19 at Giants Stadium at 6:30 PM ET. And, on Sunday, May 25, Cuauhtemoc Blanco and the Chicago Fire make their lone trip to New York. The two international stars begin their respective second seasons in MLS. Other notable home dates on the Red Bulls' schedule include Saturday, April 19, when they host the New England Revolution for the first time since their closely-contested 2007 Eastern Conference Semifinal match-up; and Sunday April 27, when MLS expansion side San Jose Earthquakes makes their only visit to Giants Stadium. Other dates to mark on the calendar include Sunday, May 25, when the Chicago Fire make their lone trip to New York, Saturday, August 9, when rival D.C. United visits, and Sunday, August 24, when the Red Bulls take on two-time defending MLS Cup Champion Houston Dynamo in East Rutherford.

Of the Red Bulls' 30 games, 19 will be telecast nationally via one of MLS' national television partners. The Red Bulls will appear six times on Fox Soccer Channel, five times on ESPN2's Prime Time Thursday, four times on HDNet (one of which is exclusive nationally), and four times on Spanish language Telefutura. The Red Bulls local broadcast partner MSG is expected to pick up a number of the remaining dates that are not exclusively broadcast on ESPN2, Fox Soccer Channel or HDNet. The MSG schedule will be announced at a later date.

Red Bulls Full Season, Partial plans and discounted Group Tickets for the 2008 season are on sale now by calling 877.RBSOCCER or logging on to newyorkredbulls.com.

NEW YORK RED BULLS 2008 SCHEDULE

DATE (National TV) OPPONENT Home/Away Time (ET)
1 Saturday, Apr 05 (FSC) Columbus Crew Home 7:30
2 Saturday, Apr 12 (MLS) FC Dallas Away 8:30
3 Saturday, Apr 19 (HDNet) New England Revolution Home 7:30
4 Sunday, Apr 27 (TELEFUTURA) San Jose Home 3:00
5 Thursday, May 01 (ESPN) Toronto FC Away 7:00
6 Saturday, May 10 (MLS) Los Angeles Galaxy Away 10:30
7 Saturday, May 17 (MLS) Kansas City Wizards Home 7:30
8 Sunday, May 25 (TELEFUTURA) Chicago Fire Home 3:00
9 Saturday, May 31 (HDNet) Houston Dynamo Away 8:30 *
10 Thursday, Jun 05 (ESPN) Chivas USA Home 7:30
11 Saturday, Jun 14 (HDNet) D.C. United Away 7:30
12 Saturday, Jun 21 (FSC) FC Dallas Home 7:30 ^
13 Saturday, Jun 28 (HDNet) Chivas USA Away 10:30
14 Friday, Jul 04 (MLS) Colorado Rapids Away 9:30
15 Thursday, Jul 10 (MLS) Kansas City Wizards Away 8:00
16 Saturday, Jul 19 (FSC) Los Angeles Galaxy Home 6:30 ^
17 Sunday, Jul 27 (TELEFUTURA) San Jose Away 3:00
18 Saturday, Aug 02 (FSC) New England Revolution Away 7:30
19 Saturday, Aug 09 (MLS) D.C. United Home 7:30
20 Sunday, Aug 17 (MLS) Toronto FC Home 5:00
21 Sunday, Aug 24 (TELEFUTURA) Houston Dynamo Home 3:00
22 Saturday, Aug 30 (FSC) D.C. United Away 7:30
23 Saturday, Sep 06 (FSC) Chicago Fire Away 8:30
24 Saturday, Sep 13 (MLS) Real Salt Lake Home 7:30
25 Thursday, Sep 18 (ESPN) Columbus Crew Away 7:00
26 Saturday, Sep 27 (MLS) Colorado Rapids Home 7:30
27 Saturday, Oct 04 (MLS) Toronto FC Home 7:30
28 Thursday, Oct 09 (ESPN) Real Salt Lake Away 10:00
29 Saturday, Oct 18 (MLS) Columbus Crew Home 7:30
30 Thursday, Oct 23 (ESPN) Chicago Fire Away 9:00