BULLS BATTLE DYNAMO:
The New York Red Bulls (3-2-3, 12 pts.) hit the road on Saturday when they travel to Robertson Stadium to take on the Houston Dynamo (2-3-4, 10 pts.) at 8:30 PM ET (TV: HDNet, Spanish Radio: WADO 1280).
• Last season, the Red Bulls earned a 1-1-0 record against their Western Conference rival and two-time defending MLS Cup champion. On April 21, a 10-man Red Bulls team (Clint Mathis was red carded in the first half) was able to defeat the Dynamo at Giants Stadium thanks to a Jozy Altidore 60th minute goal. Houston was able to give some payback on July 5 at Robertson Stadium with a 4-0 victory. The Dynamo received goals from Joseph Ngwenya (2), Ching and Stuart Holden.
• The Dynamo struggled out of the gates, going 0-2-4 in their first six before winning two straight. Franco Caraccio, Ching and Dwayne De Rosario have two goals apiece for the fifth-place Dynamo, which is just four points off the lead in the Western Conference.
SOME QUICK RED BULLS-DYNAMO FACTS: The New York-Houston rivalry dates back to June 10, 2006 when New York tied Houston, 1-1. Since then, New York has earned a 1-1-2 record against the former San Jose Earthquakes franchise (they moved to Houston in the 2005-06 offseason). Here are some other facts:
• The Dynamo has all-time the goal advantage, 6-3.
• Two current Dynamo players were formerly part of the New York franchise. Midfielder Ricardo Clark was drafted by New York in the first round, second overall in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft out of Furman University. He featured in a total of 54 games for New York, scoring four goals and two assists. Clark was traded to San Jose for an allocation before the 2005 season. Midfielder Brad Davis was selected with the third overall pick in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft. He played 24 games in his rookie season, scoring four goals and three assists before being traded to the Dallas Burn (now FC Dallas) for a first round pick in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft. New York used that selection to pick current Red Bulls midfielder Mike Magee.
• Red Bulls defender Kevin Goldthwaite is the only current New York player who was previously with Houston. Goldthwaite played for the MLS Cup-winning Dynamo in 2006, making 20 appearances. He started last season with Houston before being traded to Toronto FC.
LAST WEEK: Red Bulls 1, Chicago Fire 5 on May 25 at Giants Stadium
THIS WEEK: Red Bulls at Houston Dynamo on May 31 at 8:30 PM ET at Robertson Stadium (TV: HDNet; Radio: WADO 1280)
NEXT WEEK: Red Bulls vs. Chivas USA on June 5 at 7:30 PM ET at Giants Stadium (TV: ESPN2; Radio: WADO 1280)
STREAK ENDS: The Red Bulls were unbeaten in their last five games, going 2-0-3, until they lost to the Fire, 5-1, on Sunday. The team's streak was the seventh five-match stretch in club history. Only two streaks have been longer - a six-match stretch in 2003 (5-0-1) and a nine-match streak in 2000 (7-0-2).
PARKE, MAGEE KEEP MOVING UP: Defender Jeff Parke continued to move up the the club's all-time games played and games started list. Parke has now played in a total of 115 matches. He has also started in 110 games. Midfielder Mike Magee played his 112th game against Chicago and is tied with Tab Ramos for fifth-place in the club's all-time annals.
Games Played (All-Time)
1. Mike Petke (134)
2. Tony Meola (125)
3. Steve Jolley (120)
4. Jeff Parke (115)
T-5. Mike Magee (112)
T-5. Tab Ramos (112)
7. John Wolyniec (105)
8. Amado Guevara (103)
Games Started (All-Time)
1. Mike Petke (129)
2. Tony Meola (125)
3. Steve Jolley (112)
4. Jeff Parke (110)
5. Tab Ramos (105)
