LA MANGA, SPAIN- The New York Red Bulls wrapped up their match schedule at the La Manga Resort in La Manga, Spain with a 2-1 win over Norwegian side, Stromsgodset IF, Monday afternoon. New York, which went ahead through an own goal and a second half strike from trialist Toni Kolehmainen, improved to 2-0-1 during its first preseason trip of the year. Members of the media can get post-game reaction exclusively on the team's Official Blog, Red Bulls Reader, at www.redbullsreader.com later today.
Red Bulls midfielder Dane Richards continued his torrid form in the preseason by setting up the team's first goal three minutes in. Richards sent in a dangerous cross that Stromsgodset's Alexander Aas tried to clear, but he knocked it into his own net. The Jamaican International has been involved in the first three of New York's preseason goals.
New York forward Juan Pablo Angel nearly made it 2-0 in the 14th minute, when he gathered an Austin da Luz pass and knocked his shot over the bar. Later in the half, Seth Stammler tested Stromsgodset goalkeeper Adam Larsen Kwarasey from 25 yards out and Kwarasey punched it away.
Stromsgodset looked to equalize after halftime and tied the game in the 54th minute. Joel Riddez was able to create space in the middle of the penalty box and slammed a shot past substitute goalkeeper Greg Sutton.
Angel nearly gave the Red Bulls back their lead seven minutes later. After earning a free kick at the top of Stromsgodset's penalty box, Angel curled his shot around the wall. However, a fully-extended Kwarasey was able to parry it away. In the 69th minute, Marcus Pedersen was able to get his header on a Stromsgodset corner and Sutton was there to make the stop.
The Red Bulls tallied the eventual game winner with 14 minutes to play. A Sinisa Ubiparipovic free kick in Stromsgodset's half was cut back into the box by John Agudelo, who was at the back post. Kolehmainen was able to get to it and rifled a shot into the goal's top corner.
Moments later, Riddez's attempt from long range was saved by Sutton. On the other end, Agudelo was given space off an Irving Garcia pass, but he poked his attempt wide. Pedersen was inches away from tying the match six minutes from full time, as his chip over Sutton from a sharp angle knocked off the back post.
New York returns to the United States on Feb. 4. The team plans to travel to Bradenton, FL on Feb. 15 for its second preseason trip before it competes in the Walt Disney Pro Soccer Classic on Feb. 25 and 27. For more information on the team's preseason, log onto www.newyorkredbulls.com and www.redbullsreader.com.
New York Red Bulls 2, Stromsgodset IF 1
February 1, 2010 - La Manga Resort; La Manga, Spain
Scoring Summary:
NY: Aas (own goal) 3'
STROM: Riddez (unassisted) 54'
NY: Kolehaminen 1 (Agudelo 1, Ubiparipovic 1) 76'
Disciplinary Summary:
None
New York Red Bulls (2-0-1) - Bouna Coundoul (Greg Sutton* 46'), Toni Kolehmainen, Mike Petke, Andrew Boyens, Danleigh Borman, Dane Richards (Irving Garcia 56'), Sinisa Ubiparipovic (Fernandinho 86'), Seth Stammler (Tim Ream 46'), Austin da Luz (Ernst Oebster 46'), Juan Pablo Angel (Giorgi Chirgadze 70'), Macoumba Kandji (John Agudelo* 46')
Stromsgodset IF - Adam Larsen Kwarasey (GK), Krister Aunan, Glenn Andersen, Alexander Aas, Joel Riddez, Komlan Amewou, Fredrik Nordkvelle, Jo Inge Berget (Jim Johansen 63'), Øyvind Storflor, Marcus Pedersen, Muhamed Keita (Mads Ryghseter 76')
* - Denotes Non-Roster Player
