BRADENTON, Fla. - A two-goal performance by midfielder Markus Schopp helped lead the Red Bulls to a comfortable, 4-0 win over the U.S. U-17 National Team at the IMG Academy on Saturday. Midfielders Dave van den Bergh and Dane Richards also found the back of the net for the Bulls.
"We're looking at different formations and [head coach] Bruce [Arena] has ideas of what he would like to see. It's very early," said assistant coach John Harkes. "The fitness part of it is getting together and getting to know each other's strengths and weaknesses. We're pretty happy with what we saw and there were some good combinations going to goal."
In the full 90-minute scrimmage, the Red Bulls were in control of the game from the get-go and in the seventh minute, New York took the lead. After a cross was played into the U.S. box, the goalkeeper and a defender collided and the ball fell to Schopp, who volleyed it into the back of the net.
New York looked dangerous in the final third, with defender Jeff Parke volleying high off a Claudio Reyna corner and Jozy Altidore also shooting over the crossbar after a build-up between van den Bergh, Schopp and Dema Kovalenko. Parke almost made it 2-0 in the 32nd minute after his header off a Reyna corner rattled the crossbar.
However, less than a minute later, the Red Bulls doubled their lead. A Reyna corner kick found the head of Schopp, who beat his defender and nodded it inside the near post.
A minute before halftime, the Red Bulls made it 3-0. Seth Stammler played a ball over to Todd Dunivant, who then slipped it through to an onrushing van den Bergh. Van den Bergh took a couple of touches in the penalty box before blasting a shot from 12 yards out past the 'keeper.
In the second half, Arena made wholesale changes with every player except for Dunivant being taken out. Later, Stammler came back in and played 25 minutes.
Richards capped off the scoring in the 85th minute after tapping in a rebound off the goalkeeper.
A number of players were able to impress in the team's first scrimmage of 2007 - a match that was organized on Friday. While Reyna and Schopp led the team in the first half, other younger players including Richards and Sinisa Ubiparipovic also made significant impacts on the game and created a number of scoring opportunities in the second half.
"We're just trying to get to know each other and play off each other as much as possible, especially in the final third," Ubiparipovic said. "I thought we did a pretty good job at times, but it has to get better for sure."
"Bruce is happy with Sinisa's contribution and also Dane, who I think did a fantastic job on the right side, not only being dangerous with his speed but putting some quality service into the box. That's what we're looking for," Harkes said.
Harkes also complimented Reyna's performance.
"For me, he's still one of the best players I know who could take his touch away from the defense and he's a smart player," Harkes said. "He does a good job of keeping possession and holding the ball. He's made a great impact to this team."
The Red Bulls' next scrimmage is on Tuesday against the Kansas City Wizards in Bradenton, FL. Game time is at 10 a.m. ET. The team has a day off on Sunday before coming back on Monday.
Red Bulls Starting 11 (first half):
Ronald Waterreus, Todd Dunivant, Carlos Mendes, Jeff Parke, Marvell Wynne, Dave van den Bergh, Seth Stammler, Dema Kovalenko, Markus Schopp, Claudio Reyna, Jozy Altidore
Red Bulls Starting 11 (second half):
Jon Conway, Eric Denton, Hugh MacDonald, Todd Dunivant (Seth Stammler 65), Joe Vide, Ansu Toure, Sal Caccavale, Craig Capano, Dane Richards, Sinisa Ubiparipovic, John Wolyniec
