BULLS LOCK HORNS WITH GOATS
The New York Red Bulls (3-3-3, 12 pts.) have a short week, as they host Chivas USA on Thursday, June 5 at 7:30 PM (TV: ESPN2, Radio: WADO 1280).
Chivas USA (4-4-2, 14 pts.) is one of the League's hottest teams, most recently defeating the Columbus Crew, 2-0, on Saturday. The Goats went ahead in the 20th minute when Jorge Flores knocked in his third goal of the season. A minute later, Jesse Marsch scored his fourth of the year, slotting in a Justin Braun cross. The Crew played a man down after the 22nd minute, when defender Danny O'Rourke earned a straight red card.
Chivas USA is in a tie for second place with Los Angeles and Houston, just one point behind first-place Colorado. The Goats got off to a slow start, going 1-4-2 in their first seven. However, wins in their last three games (over D.C United, Colorado and Columbus) have put them right back in the mix in the Western Conference.
Despite missing several key players including defender Jonathan Bornstein and Claudio Suarez due to injury, the Goats have been aided by Marsch and midfielder Sacha Kljestan, who has four goals and three assists in nine games. Reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Brad Guzan has two shutouts this season.
Last season, Chivas USA swept the season series against the Red Bulls. On July 26, goals from Ante Razov and Kljestan gave the visitors a 2-0 win at Giants Stadium. On Sept. 9, Chivas USA won 3-0 thanks to a pair of goals from Maykel Galindo and a successful Razov penalty kick.
This match is one of just three home matches that the Red Bulls will play in a 10 match stretch from May 31-July 27.
REMEMBER TO WATCH GAME ON ESPN2
The Red Bulls match this Thursday against Chivas USA will be telecast nationally at 7:30 pm ET on ESPN2. This game is the second of five that the Red Bulls will play on ESPN2's Thursday Night Primetime. New York drew with Toronto FC, 1-1, on May 1 in Toronto. This will be the only home ESPN2 match for the Red Bulls with the final three (Sept. 18 at Columbus Crew, Oct. 9 at Real Salt Lake, and Oct. 23 at Chicago Fire in the regular season finale).
SOME QUICK RED BULLS-CHIVAS USA FACTS
The New York-Chivas USA rivalry dates back to Aug. 21, 2005 when New York tied Chivas USA, 3-3. Since then, New York has earned a 2-2-1 record against the Goats. Here are some other facts:
-- Chivas USA has all-time the goal advantage, 12-10.
-- In the two matches between the two sides last season, three players accounted for all the scoring (and all the assists) for Chivas. Ante Razov had two goals and three assists, Maykel Galindo tallied two goals and one assist, and Sasha Kljestan recorded one goal and one assist.
-- Juan Carlos Osorio has faced Chivas just once as head coach. Osorio guided the Chicago Fire to a 1-1 draw at The Home Depot Center on Sept. 29, 2007.
-- In the series' inaugural match, New York's Amado Guevara scored three goals, including his third in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time to bring New York back after trailing 3-1 at Giants Stadium on Aug. 21, 2005.
-- New York has not scored a goal in the teams' last three matches (2-0, 3-0, 0-0). On Saturday, May 20, 2006, New York exploded for five goals, winning 5-4 behind a hat trick from Jean Philippe Peguero at Giants Stadium.
LAST WEEK: Red Bulls 0, Houston Dynamo 1 on May 31 at Robertson Stadium
THIS WEEK: Red Bulls vs. Chivas USA on June 5 at 7:30 PM ET at Giants Stadium (TV: ESPN2; Radio: WADO 1280)
NEXT WEEK: Red Bulls vs. D.C. United on June 14 at 7:30 PM ET at RFK Stadium (TV: MSG Plus, HDNet; Radio: WQBU)
CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN
After returning from a three-game layoff due to a lower back injury, midfielder Seth Stammler made his return to the lineup wearing the Captain's Armband for the first time in his career. Stammler was the captain as Claudio Reyna and Juan Pablo Angel were both out due to injury and illness, respectively.
FIRST YEAR IMPACT
Though they were playing college soccer less than a year ago, rookies Daneligh Borman and Luke Sassano have already earned significant minutes so far for the Red Bulls in 2008.
Borman has played in all nine games for New York, starting in five - including the Red Bulls' most recent game against Houston. The South African, who attended the University of Rhode Island and was selected in the first round (7th overall) of the 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft, has already tallied two goals.
Sassano has provided versatility for New York, playing at right wing, right back and center midfield. The UC-Berkeley alum has started in seven games for the Red Bulls after being drafted in the third round (32nd overall) in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft.
THAT A BOY!
After earning approval for his P-1 visa, defender Andrew Boyens, signed by New York on May 7, 2008, has made three consecutive starts in the middle of the defense. The Dunedin, New Zealand native, who played the full 90 minutes against Houston, was picked up after Toronto FC waived the second-year player on April 14. Boyens made 23 appearances and 21 starts for Toronto FC in his first year in MLS in 2007.
MEGALOUDIS CALLED UP TO PUERTO RICO
Red Bulls forward Chris Megaloudis was called up to the Puerto Rican National Team that will face Honduras in a World Cup Qualifier on Wednesday, June 4 in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
Megaloudis has not played in a first team game for the Red Bulls, but has featured in three MLS Reserve Games. Signed on April 4, 2008, the former Westchester Flame and Long Island Rough Rider (PDL) has earned four caps for Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico recorded a 1-0 win over the Dominican Republic on March 26, 2008 to earn a spot in this qualifier.
NO WAY PAST CONWAY
Red Bulls goalkeeper Jon Conway played the full 90 minutes at Houston, moving him over the 3,000 minute mark for his New York career. He is just the fifth goalkeeper in franchise history to achieve that milestone. The other four are Tony Meola (11,233), Tim Howard (7,681), Mike Ammann (4,098) and Jonny Walker (3,845). Conway made two big saves on Brian Ching in the second half of the Red Bulls' 1-0 loss at Houston, first stopping a point blank header before parrying away a low shot.
Conway is within one win of third place on the New York all-time list. Tony Meola leads the way with 48, followed by Tim Howard (37), Mike Ammann (17), Conway (16), and Jonny Walker (13). Currently with 11 clean sheets, the former Rutgers University product is four behind Tim Howard for second in the club's all-time annals. Tony Meola is the franchise leader with 25 shutouts.
PARKE, MAGEE KEEP MOVING UP
Defender Jeff Parke continued to move up the club's all-time games played and games started list. Parke has now played in a total of 116 matches. He has also started in 111 games, one behind third-place Steve Jolley. 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 (116)
T-5. Mike Magee (112)
T-5. Tab Ramos (112)
7. John Wolyniec (106)
8. Amado Guevara (103)
Games Started (All-Time)
1. Mike Petke (129)
2. Tony Meola (125)
3. Steve Jolley (112)
4. Jeff Parke (111)
5. Tab Ramos (105)
