Weekly Update: Going out in style

RED BULLS END '09 SEASON ON A HIGH WITH 5-0 WIN:
The New York Red Bulls finished their 2009 MLS Regular Season campaign on a high note, earning a dominating 5-0 win over Toronto FC on Saturday night. In the final soccer match at Giants Stadium, the Red Bulls put on an offensive display, as a pair of two-goal performances from forwards Juan Pablo Angel and Macoumba Kandji helped give New York the win. Red Bulls goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul made five saves, earning his second shutout of the season. Playing in a heavy downpour for most of the match, the Red Bulls, which scored a season-high five goals, adjusted to the soggy conditions and snapped a five-game winless streak.

The game was delayed for 16 minutes due to thunderstorms in the area and started at 7:54 PM ET, but it took New York less than two minutes put their name on the scoreboard. Angel controlled the ball in the central midfield and slid it to Albert Celades, who flicked it over the top to an on-rushing Kandji. Kandji was able to hold off his defender and hit a low shot past goalkeeper Brian Edwards and into the back of the net for his third goal of the season. Celades, who announced his retirement from professional soccer Friday, earned his fourth assist of the year on the play.

New York extended their lead in the 33rd minute. Kandji had the ball on the left wing and centered it to Angel at the top of the penalty box. Angel touched it past defender Adrian Serioux and hit a shot that Edwards got a piece on, but it dribbled into the goal.

Angel tallied his second goal of the game and ninth career multi-goal game in the 62nd minute. Jeremy Hall collected the ball on the left side of the field and drove it forward before guiding it through to Angel, who one-timed it into the far corner.

Coundoul kept his clean sheet in the 67th minute, making a diving stop from a point blank Ali Gerba deflection to deny Toronto FC of a goal. The goalkeeper later had to fully extend to tip away a Pablo Vitti attempt headed straight to goal.

The Red Bulls iced the game 20 minutes from full time. New York defender Andrew Boyens played a long ball into Toronto FC's half that Sam Cronin misjudged and flicked back. Kandji raced onto to it, rounded Edwards and put it home for his first multi-goal game.

In second half stoppage time, Kandji broke away on goal and was tackled from behind in the box by Serioux. Substitute Matthew Mbuta stepped up and put it away for the game's final goal.

2009 MLS STANDINGS:
Click here to view the MLS standings.

LAST WEEK:
Red Bulls 5, Toronto FC 0 on Oct. 24 at Giants Stadium

RED BULLS TO OPEN RED BULL ARENA VS. FIRE: The New York Red Bulls will open Red Bull Arena on Saturday, March 27, 2010, when they host the Chicago Fire at 7:00 PM ET for the start their 2010 MLS Regular Season slate. The game will be telecast nationally on ESPN2. The match is just 152 days away as of Oct. 26 and will be the first MLS game in the new stadium.

"We are excited to be opening Red Bull Arena on the first weekend of MLS action," said Red Bulls Managing Director Erik Stover. "Red Bull Arena will provide an unparalleled experience for our fans and players. The inaugural match will be a special evening and we look forward to showcasing our new stadium."

The Red Bulls' opener will be the first match of a 30-game schedule, which will be released by the League in full prior to the kickoff of next season.

HONOREE ANGEL ADDS TWO TO RECORD: The Red Bulls recorded forward Juan Pablo Angel after Saturday's 5-0 win over Toronto FC for breaking the club's record for goals scored in all competitions and he left Giants Stadium with a bang, recording his ninth multi-goal game with two goals. Despite the team's difficult season, Angel finished in a five-way tie for third place for the MLS Golden Boot with 12 goals this season. Over the past three seasons since Angel joined the League from Aston Villa as New York's second Designated Player in April 2007, he has been MLS' most prolific regular season goal scorer, as this is the third-straight year that he finished in the Top-5 in the MLS Golden Boot race.

GOALS (Regular Season)

Angel broke the club's record for goals scored in all competitions after he tallied his 46th goal in New York's 1-1 tie with Chivas USA on Sept. 26. He scored his 46th goal in just his 78th appearance, garnering a strike rate of 0.59 goals per match. Angel surpassed Clint Mathis, who needed 100 appearances to reach 45 goals. Angel also eclipsed the team's regular season goal mark of 41, scoring his 42nd in just 68 matches (0.60 goals per regular season game).

GOALS (Regular Season)

GOALS (All Competitions)

With his performance against Toronto FC, Angel is just one multi-goal performance behind Giovanni Savarese for the club lead in multi-goal games.

Multi Goal Games (Regular Season)

2010 SEASON TICKET PLANS ON SALE: New York Red Bulls 2010 Full Season Ticket Plans for the team's first season in Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ, are on sale to the general public. The Red Bulls successfully completed the relocation of existing season ticket holders from Giants Stadium to Red Bull Arena on Oct. 13 and have sold out the 100-Level Midfield sections 165 days prior to the 2010 Red Bulls season opener on March 27.

Fans are urged to secure their season tickets and seat locations as soon as possible. Ticket prices for the 2010 season range from just $272 to $585 per seat. Seating at Red Bull Arena is as close as seven yards from the touchline and all seats are covered underneath a dynamic 360-degree roof. Club Seats for the 2010 season are also on sale. For just $3,000 per seat, these premium seats are located behind the team bench, and enjoy several unique features, including access to a private club for all-inclusive food and beverage service.

The prices for 2010 Full Season Ticket Plans are as follows:

Club Seats: $3,000
Midfield: $585
Sideline: $425
Corner Flag: $335
Endline: $299
Supporters: $272

Red Bulls Season Ticket Holders in 2010 will receive several exclusive benefits including the first right to purchase tickets for other Red Bull Arena events, a Season Ticket Holder Gift and access to Meet the Team Day. For more information or to purchase a season ticket plan, call 1.877.RBSOCCER or log onto newyorkredbulls.com.

CELADES RETIRES FROM SOCCER: New York Red Bulls midfielder Albert Celades announced his retirement from professional soccer on Friday, Oct. 23 following the Red Bulls' 2009 season finale against Toronto FC - a game which New York won, 5-0. Celades was recognized in a ceremony after the game.

"It is time to say goodbye to soccer," Celades said. "I feel blessed to have been part of the most important teams in the world, and I want to thank everyone in the New York Red Bulls organization for giving me the opportunity to play in the United States and MLS. Now, for my family and I, it is time to go back home."

Celades ended his Red Bulls term on a positive note, recording his fourth assist of the season on Macoumba Kandji's opening goal in the win. The 34-year-old signed with the Red Bulls on March 11, 2009, and appeared in 17 matches, making 14 starts for New York. He made his Red Bulls debut on April 11 away to the Houston Dynamo, and made first MLS start and recorded first MLS assist on May 8 in a 4-1 win against the San Jose Earthquakes at Giants Stadium. Celades scored his first MLS goal in 2-1 loss to Toronto FC on June 13 and tallied two assists on Aug. 23 in a 3-2 win over FC Dallas.

A veteran of the Spanish La Liga, Celades made his professional debut for FC Barcelona in 1995, and helped the Catalan giants to two La Liga and two Spanish Cup titles, as well as a the 1997-98 UEFA Super Cup championship, over his four-season tenure in Barcelona. He had similar success after joining Real Madrid in 2000, as the Spanish First Division powerhouse captured two La Liga titles during Celades' four campaigns with the team, while also winning the 2002 UEFA Champions League. Before coming to New York, he patrolled the midfield for Real Zaragoza, and was instrumental in the club's 2005 Spanish Super Cup finals appearance. Celades also played for French club, FC Girondins de Bordeaux, in the 2003-04 season.

On the international level, Celades earned four caps representing Spain, including two during the 1998 FIFA World Cup, in which he made two substitute appearances against Nigeria and Paraguay.

IRON MAN PETKE: Defender Mike Petke was recognized in a ceremony after New York's 5-0 win over Toronto FC Saturday for breaking into the Top-10 in all-time minutes played. Petke moved into the Top-10, passing forward Mark Chung with his 90-minute performance against Chivas USA on Sept. 26. Over the course of Petke's 12 MLS campaigns with New York, D.C. United and Colorado, he has seen 24,738 minutes of action. Originally drafted by New York in the first round of the 1998 MLS SuperDraft, Petke is in his second stint with the club. Petke leads the club in games played (153) and started (147). Petke unfortunately had to be removed in the ninth minute against Toronto FC after picking up a right quadriceps strain.

MLS All-Time Minutes Played Leaders (through end of 2009 season)
1. Steve Ralston (33,143)
2. Kevin Hartman (29,835)
3. Jay Heaps (27,273)
4. Chris Henderson (26,242)
5. Chris Klein (25,946)
6. Jesse Marsch (25,645)
7. Jason Kreis (25,242)
8. Cobi Jones (25,157)
9. Jaime Moreno (24,889)
10. Mike Petke (24,738) - Still active.

BIG MAC FINDS NET: Red Bulls forward Macoumba Kandji recorded his first multi-goal game of his MLS career in New York's 5-0 win over Toronto FC, tallying the team's first and fourth goals of the game. Kandji also had a hand in two other goals, providing the assist for Juan Pablo Angel's first goal of the game and drawing a second half stoppage time penalty that Matthew Mbuta converted. In his first full season with the Red Bulls, Kandji played in 23 of 30 games and tallied four goals and five assists.

BOUNA TIME RETURNS WITH CLEAN SHEET: After missing the team's last match against Real Salt Lake on Oct. 14 due to international duty with Senegal, Red Bulls goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul returned to the Starting XI against Toronto FC last Saturday and made five saves in New York's 5-0 win. Coundoul earned his second shutout of the season and improved his goals against average to 1.25 in eight matches.

A BEAUTIFUL END AT GIANTS STADIUM: The Red Bulls enjoyed the last soccer match played at Giants Stadium in front of an announced 21,305 fans with a resounding 5-0 win. The New York MLS franchise has played its home games at Giants Stadium since the League's first season in 1996. The Red Bulls will move into their brand new stadium, Red Bull Arena, in Harrison, NJ next year.

A Top-12 list of the highest-attended soccer events at Giants Stadium is below:
1. 79,156 - United States vs. Mexico (Gold Cup Final) - July 26, 2009
2. 79,005 - Manchester United vs. Juventus - July 31, 2003
3. 79,002 - Red Bulls vs. Barcelona - August 12, 2006
4. 78,972 - FIFA Women's World Cup - June 19, 1999
5. 78,682 - United States vs. Argentina - June 8, 2008
6. 78,416 - MLS All-Star Game - July 14, 1996
7. 77,691 - Cosmos vs. Ft. Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) - August 14, 1977
8. 77,094 - Italy vs. Bulgaria (World Cup Semifinal) - July 13, 1994
9. 76,891 - European All-Stars vs. Rest of the World - August 7, 1982
10. 76,322 - Ireland vs. Norway (World Cup) - July 28, 1994
11. 76,031 - Cosmos vs. Tulsa Roughnecks (NASL) - August 26, 1979
12. 75,646 - Cosmos vs. Santos of Brazil (Pelé farewell) - October 1, 1977

TRIO NOTCH FIRSTS: Though it was the final soccer game at Giants Stadium, a trio of Red Bulls celebrated making their marks on the club for the first time in New York's 5-0 win over Toronto FC. Red Bulls defender Walter Garcia made his MLS debut, coming in the ninth minute for the injured Mike Petke, helping to preserve a shutout. Midfielder Jeremy Hall tallied his first MLS assist on Juan Pablo Angel's second goal, while forward Matthew Mbuta recorded his first goal of the season, knocking in a second half stoppage time penalty kick. Mbuta has the distinction of being the last player to score a goal in Giants Stadium history.

ARE YOU FOLLOWING?: 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.

WE'RE ON TWITTER: The Red Bulls, Mike Petke, and Juan Pablo Angel have all 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 and Angel at www.twitter.com/juanpabloangel.