BULLS HOPE TO RUMBLE SAN JOSE:
The Red Bulls look to sweep the season-series against the expansion San Jose Earthquakes when they travel to Buck Shaw Stadium Sunday at 3 PM ET to take on their Western Conference foe (TV: MSG Plus, TeleFutura; Radio: WADO 1280 AM).
The Red Bulls won the first encounter between the two teams, 2-0, at Giants Stadium on April 27. After a scoreless first half, the Red Bulls went ahead in the 79th minute when Mike Magee converted from the penalty spot. New York wrapped up the result with a goal from former Red Bulls forward Jozy Altidore moments from full time.
San Jose (3-9-5, 14 pts.), currently sitting in last place in the Western Conference, earned a 0-0 draw at BMO Field against Toronto FC on Saturday. Goalkeeper Joe Cannon put in a Man-of-the-Match performance, making three saves for his sixth shutout of the season. The Earthquakes also were boosted by the debuts of English forward Darren Huckerby and Brazilian midfielder Francisco Lima, who both were included in the Starting XI.
The original San Jose Earthquakes franchise, which won MLS Cups in 2001 and 2003, moved in the 2005-06 off-season and became the Houston Dynamo. The last time that New York and San Jose faced off prior to the San Jose franchise's move to Houston was on July 23, 2005 at Spartan Stadium, where the Earthquakes won 2-1. New York went ahead in the 32nd minute with a Ricardo Clark own goal. However, a minute later, Mark Chung put the hosts ahead. In the 53rd minute, Dwayne De Rosario's third goal of the season gave the Earthquakes the win.
The teams have met 25 times with the Earthquakes holding a 13-7-5 advantage in the series.
RED BULLS GIVE UP LATE GOAL, TIE 2-2: Despite goals from Red Bulls Dave van den Bergh and Juan Pablo Angel, a 92nd minute strike from Landon Donovan helped give the Los Angeles Galaxy a 2-2 tied against New York at Giants Stadium last Saturday night in front of a crowd of 46,754 fans.
The Galaxy went ahead in the 29th minute when Edson Buddle was able to get space on the left side of the penalty box before lofting a ball to the head of Carlos Ruiz, who knocked it in for his first goal of the season. However, the Red Bulls countered six minutes later. Newcomer Jorge Rojas played a nifty back heel to an on-rushing van den Bergh, who blasted a right-footed shot from 30-yards out that zipped past goalkeeper Steve Cronin.
In the 71st minute, the Red Bulls took the lead. Rojas fed the ball to Angel. Angel juked past defender Greg Vanney before hitting a delicate chip over Cronin for his fourth goal of the season. The Galaxy was able to secure a point moments from full time, when Donovan's cross intended for Buddle flew by all of the players inside the penalty box and nestled into the lower right corner of the net.
The Red Bulls-Galaxy crowd was seventh all-time for attendance for a MetroStars/Red Bulls MLS regular season match. Here are the top attendances for a New York MLS regular season home game:
| Top attendances NY reg. season home game | ||
| DATE | RESULT | ATTENDANCE |
| 1. 8/18/2007 | NY 5 vs. LA 4 | 66,237 |
| 2. 5/23/1998 | NY 4 vs. MIA 2 | 56,404 |
| 3. 6/9/1996 | NY 0 vs. LA 4 | 53,250 |
| 4. 5/24/2006 | NY 1 vs. FCD 2 | 52,425 |
| 5. 5/31/2005 | NY 2 vs. CHI 1 | 50,807 |
| 6. 4/20/1996 | NY 0 vs. NE 1 | 46,826 |
| 7. 7/19/2008 | NY 2 vs. LA 2 | 46,754 |
| 8. 3/27/2002 | NY 0 vs. CLB 1 | 45,511 |
| 9. 5/29/1999 | NY 3 vs. NE 3 | 43,192 |
| 10. 8/4/2001 | NY 2 vs. MIA 1 | 41,794 |
LAST WEEK: Red Bulls 2 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy 2 on July 19 at Giants Stadium
THIS WEEK: Red Bulls at San Jose Earthquakes on July 27 at 3:00 PM ET at Buck Shaw Stadium (TV: MSG Plus, TeleFutura; Radio: WADO 1280 AM)
NEXT WEEK: OFF
ANGEL TO PLAY IN ALL-STAR GAME: New York Red Bulls forward Juan Pablo Angel is one of 18 MLS All-Stars who will play English Premiership side, West Ham United FC, on Thursday, July 24 at 7 PM ET at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada (TV: ESPN, TeleFutura). Angel will travel to Toronto on Tuesday and will join the team in San Jose later this week.
Despite an injury-hampered season in which he was forced to miss over a month due to a left hamstring strain and back injury, Angel has scored four goals and two assists in 10 appearances this season. Two of those goals were game-winners. Angel has scored goals in two consecutive MLS games.
After joining the League as the Red Bulls' second Designated Player on April 17, 2007, Angel will be making his second-straight appearance at the MLS All-Star Game. Last year, Angel, who was the leading vote-getter for the MLS All-Star Game, scored the game-winning goal and earned Most Valuable Player honors in the All-Stars' 2-0 win over Celtic FC on July 19 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Colorado.
Angel was among the six nominees for the 2008 ESPY Award for Best MLS Player, ESPN announced Thursday, July 3. Angel was also among the Major League Soccer players nominated for the first-ever annual "Tecate Premios Deportes" (Tecate Sports Awards) and announced by Univision, official broadcast partner of MLS.
VAN DEN BERGHER: Red Bulls midfielder Dave van den Bergh continued his strong 2008 campaign, scoring his team-leading fifth goal of the season - a blistering 30-yard right footed shot in the first half. Van den Bergh, who also has two assists, has started and played in 15 games for New York this season. He missed the team's two other matches due to a red card suspension and the anticipated birth of his second child, Max, in late May.
RO-RO-RO YOUR BOAT: Red Bulls midfielder Jorge Rojas made his MLS debut against the Los Angeles Galaxy last Saturday and he did not disappoint, notching two assists in New York's 2-2 draw. In the first half, Rojas played a nifty back heel to set up Dave van den Bergh's blast from outside of the penalty box. In the second half, Rojas unleashed Juan Pablo Angel, who was also able to find the back of the net.
Only two other New York players have notched two assists in their MLS debuts. Paul Dougherty did it against Los Angeles on March 28, 1998 in a 3-2 loss to the Galaxy and Diego Serna accomplished the same feat on March 23, 2002 in a 3-1 win at home over the New England Revolution.
Rojas, who was previously with Caracas FC of the Venezuelan First Division, officially signed with the Red Bulls on Thursday, July 17. The 5-10, 165-pound Venezuelan has earned 82 caps with his national team, and has served as captain for the side in the past. The second most capped player in Venezuelan history, Rojas featured in two International Friendlies for Venezuela recently, scoring a goal in a 1-1 draw with Honduras on May 30, and helped his national side defeated Brazil, 2-0, on June 6 at Gillette Stadium.
Midfielder Juan Pietravallo, who came on as a late second half substitute, also made his MLS debut on Saturday. Pietravallo, 26, was previously with Greek Super League side, Veria FC, making three appearances. Earlier in the 2007-08 season, Pietravallo played for Belgrano de Córdoba of the Argentina Premier Division.
The 5-9, 155-pound Argentinean started out his career for Argentina Premier Division side, Velez Sarsfield in 1999 and made a combined 31 appearances for the club over three seasons. He then moved to Olimpo de Bahia Blanco in the same division before joining Leganes of the Spanish Second Division, where he played in 14 matches. Pietravallo has also enjoyed stints at Argentinean First Division sides Gimnasia (2004), Atletico Rafaela (Argentina 2004-05), Quilmes (Argentina, 2005-06) and Nueva Chicago (2006-07).
RICHARDS OUT 4-6 WEEKS: Red Bulls midfielder Dane Richards is out 4-6 weeks with a hip flexor strain that he suffered in the Red Bulls' 2-2 tie against the Los Angeles Galaxy last Saturday, July 19. Richards has appeared in 13 games this season, starting in 11 and earning three assists. He was sidelined earlier this year with a right MCL tear. Last season, the former Clemson University product featured in 28 of 30 games and was a finalist for the MLS Rookie of the Year award.
PARKE MOVES INTO THIRD: Defender Jeff Parke continued to move up the club's all-time games played and games started list. Parke is now third all-time with a total of 123 matches, just two shy of second place Tony Meola. He has also started in 117 games. Midfielder Mike Magee is fifth-place in the club's all-time annals in games played with 119. John Wolyniec is tied with Tab Ramos for sixth all-time with 112.
Games Played (All-Time)
1. Mike Petke (134)
2. Tony Meola (125)
3. Jeff Parke (123)
4. Steve Jolley (120)
5. Mike Magee (119)
6. Tab Ramos (112)
7. John Wolyniec (112)
8. Amado Guevara (103)
IRON MEN: While there have been many changes to the lineup over the course of the 2008 regular season, two names have always stayed constant. Goalkeeper Jon Conway and defender Kevin Goldthwaite have started every one of the 17 games for the Red Bulls this season and Conway is the only New York player who has featured in every minute of every regular season game. Goldthwaite has missed just 81 minutes.
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS ON SALE FOR FC BARCELONA: Individual tickets are on sale for all remaining Red Bulls regular league matches through Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com and the Red Bulls front office by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER. Individual tickets for the FC Barcelona match went on sale July 1. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com and the Red Bulls front office by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER
CONWAY MOVES INTO RECORD BOOK: Jon Conway has stopped 156 shots during his tenure as a Red Bull. That total puts him two ahead of Jonny Walker (154) for fourth on the franchise's all-time list. Mike Ammann stands in third place with 199 saves.
Conway has stopped 156 shots in 3,753 minutes in net for the Red Bulls. Both totals put Conway over the minimum for consideration on the team's all-time goals against average (min. 3,500 minutes) and saves percentage (min. 150 saves) lists.
Goals Against Average (minimum 3,500 minutes)
1. Jon Conway - 1.25
2. Jonny Walker - 1.38
3. Tim Howard - 1.46
4. Tony Meola - 1.64
5. Mike Ammann - 1.89
Saves
1. Tony Meola - 629
2. Tim Howard - 442
3. Mike Ammann - 199
4. Jon Conway - 156
5. Jonny Walker - 154
Save Percentage
1. Tony Meola - 72.9%
2. Tim Howard - 72.8%
3. Jon Conway - 71.2%
4. Jonny Walker - 70.6%
5. Mike Ammann - 62.8%
Conway is in fourth place in games played in goal for New York with 43. Tony Meola leads with 125, followed by Tim Howard (85), and Mike Ammann (46).
REYNA CALLS IT A DAY: Red Bull New York announced on Wednesday, July 16 that Designated Player and former U.S. National Team captain Claudio Reyna has announced his retirement from professional soccer. Reyna, who is widely considered one of the best American players in U.S. soccer history, will continue with Red Bull New York in a role as an ambassador to work with the team to grow the sport in the metropolitan New York area.
"For the past 14 years, the game of soccer has granted me so many opportunities in life. I have been fortunate enough to represent my country at the highest level and play the sport I love in stadiums and places I could have only dreamed of when I was growing up," Reyna said. "I want to thank the Red Bulls for the opportunity to play in Major League Soccer, as well as my friends, fans, previous clubs and above all else, my family and my wife Danielle, who have been with me every step of the way. While I am sad to be leaving professional soccer, I am also excited about what lies ahead and hope that I can give back to the sport as much as its given to me."
Reyna announced his retirement after 14 years as a professional. In the last two seasons, Reyna has worn the captain's armband for the Red Bulls, appearing in 27 matches. He was the franchise's first Designated Player signing, joining the club on January 24, 2007, and holds the distinction of being the only American player to have been a Designated Player, debuting with the club on April 7, 2007, at the regular season opener at the Columbus Crew.
Considered one of the greatest players ever to don a U.S. Men's National Team (MNT) uniform, the midfielder was the MNT's captain during the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. Fourth all-time in U.S. history in caps with 112, Reyna helped lead the Americans to a quarterfinal berth in the 2002 World Cup as well as a historic 1-1 draw with eventual World Cup winner Italy in 2006. For his efforts in the 2002 World Cup, Reyna became the only American soccer player in history to be named to the FIFA World Cup All-Star First Team. He is also only one of two players who have appeared on four World Cup rosters, and represented his country at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games.
At the club level, the Springfield, NJ native competed in a number of elite leagues and competitions, including the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup. Joining the Red Bulls after playing with English Premiership side Manchester City (2003-07), Reyna also enjoyed stints with German Bundesliga sides Bayer Leverkusen (1995-97) and WfL Wolfsburg (1997-99), Scottish First Division power Glasgow Rangers (1999-2001) and English Premiership club Sunderland (2001-03). He was the first ever American to captain a team in Europe when he wore the armband for Wolfsburg in 1998.
During his time at Manchester City, the former St. Benedict's Prep High School (Newark, N.J.) and University of Virginia product played in a total of 77 contests, starting in 69.
Playing at the University of Virginia, Reyna helped lead the Cavaliers to three-straight NCAA titles from 1991 to 1993. He was named Soccer America Player of the Year in 1992 and 1993 and was a three-time first team NSCAA All-American. He won the MAC Award in 1992 and 1993 and the Hermann Trophy in 1993. In 2000, Parade Magazine placed him on its College Team of the Century and named him the College Male Player of the Century.
Reyna posted an unbeaten (65-0-0) high school career at St. Benedict's, and is the only two-time Parade Magazine National High School Player of the Year.
UNPACK YOUR BAGS: Prior to the Red Bulls-Galaxy match, the Red Bulls completed an eight-game span in which they played seven on the road. The Red Bulls' match against FC Dallas on Saturday, June 21 was the only home game in that stretch. The run of games included an exhibition match in Glendale, AZ against Chivas de Guadalajara on Wednesday, June 25 and a third round Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match on Tuesday, July 1. The Red Bulls are 1-5-3 away from Giants Stadium this season and 4-1-3 at home in MLS regular season action. The Red Bulls went 2-4-2 through those eight games. The team, which plays four of its next five at home, travels to San Jose on Sunday for the lone road match of the swing.
RED BULLS WAIVE SCHRAMM: Red Bull New York announced Monday, July 21 that it waived forward Ricky Schramm. Schramm was signed by the Red Bulls on April 4, 2008 after he joined the Red Bulls in preseason. Schramm appeared in three MLS Reserve League games this season.
The former Georgetown University product started in two games for the Red Bulls reserves in 2007, scoring two goals. Prior to that, Schramm enjoyed a stint with the Richmond Kickers of the United Soccer Leagues Second Division in 2007. He was originally drafted by D.C. United in the third round (37th overall) of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft before being waived.
THE BLOG: Get the latest in-depth and behind-the-scenes info through the New York Red Bulls' official team blog, Red Bulls Reader at www.redbullsreader.blogspot.com.
RED BULLS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS TO TRAIN IN YOUR TOWN: The Red Bulls, already a community relations leader among Metropolitan New York sports franchises, is now offering a unique opportunity for local communities. The club is now accepting applications to have the team hold a training session on at a local facility. This is an amazing opportunity for local communities to have a professional sports team hold a regular season training session in their town. Having MLS stars like Juan Pablo Angel, Claudio Reyna, and Jon Conway participating in a full training session on a local field is a chance that should not be passed up!
