Weekly Update: Doubling Up

BULLS START BUSY WEEK IN TORONTO:
The New York Red Bulls kick off another three-game road swing on Wednesday when they take on Toronto FC for the second time in 11 days at BMO Field at 7:30 PM ET (TV: MSG; Radio: WQBU 92.7 FM). Three days later, the Red Bulls head to Crew Stadium to battle the 2008 MLS Cup Champion Columbus Crew at 7:30 PM ET (TV: Fox Soccer Channel; Radio: WQBU 92.7 FM) in a rematch of last year's final.

New York snapped a five-game losing streak on Saturday by earning a 1-1 tie against the visiting Seattle Sounders FC in the Red Bulls' only home game in June. The Red Bulls are in the midst of playing six of seven games on the road and New York's match against Toronto FC will be the fifth match in that span. Toronto FC did not play last weekend but did compete in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship last Thursday and earned Canada's spot in the CONCACAF Champions League with a dominating 6-1 win over USL-1 side, the Montreal Impact. After going down a goal in the 24th minute, the Reds stormed back with a Dwayne De Rosario hat trick, two Amado Guevara goals and a Chad Barrett strike. In MLS action, Toronto FC is at 19 points with a 5-5-4 record and is currently in a three-way tie for third place in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto FC's last regular season match was against the Red Bulls - a 2-1 win at home on June 13. The hosts went ahead just three minutes in when Sam Cronin knocked it in after goalkeeper Danny Cepero saved a Guevara penalty kick. Danny Dichio doubled Toronto FC's lead two minutes before halftime. Red Bulls midfielder Albert Celades scored his first career MLS goal and the team's first on the road this season in the 54th minute but New York couldn't convert any of its other chances and left Toronto with no points. Guevara leads the Reds with five goals and four assists while De Rosario has four goals in regular season play.

Wednesday's match between the Red Bulls and Toronto FC will be the second match of a three-game series between the two sides in the 2009 regular season. The two teams will also play on Oct. 24 at 7:30 PM at Giants Stadium. New York holds a 3-3-1 all-time record against their northern counterparts and the two teams split the season series at 1-1-1 last year.

NEW YORK FACES COLUMBUS IN MLS CUP REMATCH: On Saturday night, the Red Bulls face the Columbus Crew for the first time since the two teams played for the MLS Cup last November. Columbus had a slow start to the season, going winless in their first seven games (0-2-5). Since then, the Crew have surged up the Eastern Conference standings, riding a six-game unbeaten streak (4-0-2) before falling to FC Dallas last Saturday at Pizza Hut Park in their last MLS match. The Crew went ahead in the 17th minute after a header from former Red Bulls draft pick Eric Brunner went off FC Dallas midfielder Pablo Ricchetti and into the net. However, the Hoops tallied twice within the last 10 minutes of the game with Eric Avila scoring in the 80th minute and Kenny Cooper converting a penalty kick seven minutes later. Reigning 2008 MLS Most Valuable Player Guillermo Barros Schelotto is having a stellar 2009 campaign with a league-leading 10 goals and one assist.

Last season, the Red Bulls and Crew faced off in the 2008 MLS Cup Final after Columbus, the No. 1 overall seed, defeated the Kansas City Wizards and Chicago Fire in the Eastern Conference bracket. At the final played at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA on Nov. 23, the Crew went ahead 31 minutes in when Alejandro Moreno slipped a shot past Danny Cepero. The Red Bulls equalized six minutes after the break when Dane Richards found John Wolyniec in the box and he slid in New York's first-ever goal in the MLS Cup. However, the lead did not last for long as Chad Marshall knocked in a Schelotto corner kick 87 seconds later before Frankie Hejduk iced the game in the 82nd minute by chipping it over Cepero.

While the Crew owned the League's best record in 2008, going 17-7-6, New York was the only team that earned a winning record against Columbus last season, going 2-1-0. In the Red Bulls' season opener on April 5, New York earned a 2-0 victory at Giants Stadium. Midfielder Dave van den Bergh scored the quickest goal in club history 46 seconds in. Defender Kevin Goldthwaite doubled New York's lead in the 8th minute, bundling home a Juan Pablo Angel cross.

On Sept. 18 at Crew Stadium, Columbus won, 3-1. Angel put the Red Bulls ahead in the 21st minute with a blistering 35-yard free kick. However, Hejduk leveled the match four minutes before halftime and Robbie Rogers gave the Crew the lead in the 46th minute. Eddie Gaven put the finishing touches on the match with a goal of his own five minutes from full time.

The Red Bulls won the season series in the team's home finale on Oct. 18. After a scoreless first half, Angel was able to get free on the top of the penalty box and slid the ball past goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum three minutes into the second half. Steven Lenhart tied the game in the 62nd minute but Angel gave the Red Bulls the lead for good 14 minutes later. Cepero, who was playing in his first MLS game, made history, becoming the first goalkeeper to score a goal in MLS history with an 81-yard free kick that bounced over Gruenebaum's head. Cepero also made two saves as the win enabled New York to stay in the playoff race. All-time, New York is 21-20-5 against Columbus, with +10 goal differential (GF: 65, GA: 55). Wolyniec is the Red Bulls' all-time leading goalscorer against Columbus with six.

RED BULLS HOST VIEWING PARTIES: The New York Red Bulls will be hosting a pair of Viewing Parties for the team's away matches this week. On Wednesday, for the Red Bulls-Toronto FC match, the team's Viewing Party will be at Mulligans, located on 159 First St. in Hoboken, NJ. On Saturday, the Red Bulls' Viewing Party for their game against the Columbus Crew will be at Madrid Lisbon Restaurant located on 325 Lafayette St. in Newark, NJ. Fans who attend will be able to enjoy drink specials and prize give-aways.

RED BULLS, SOUNDERS TIE 1-1: New York Red Bulls forward Juan Pablo Angel's fifth goal of the season was cancelled out by a Fredy Montero first half stoppage time strike as the Red Bulls drew, 1-1, with Seattle Sounders FC at Giants Stadium on Saturday night in the hosts' only home match in June. The tie moved New York to 2-10-4 (10 pts.) on the year while the Sounders, playing in their first season in MLS, improved to 5-3-7 (22 pts.).

New York nearly got on the scoreboard in the eighth minute. Defender Alfredo Pacheco lobbed the ball to Jorge Rojas, who headed it to Angel. Angel, however, could not get his first-time attempt on goal.

More than 20 minutes later, Albert Celades played a give-and-go with Angel and lashed a shot over the bar. Soon after, Nick Zimmerman tried to test Kasey Keller from 25-yards-out, but the goalkeeper was able to catch it.

In the 33rd minute, the Sounders almost broke through. Seattle earned a corner and Sebastien Le Toux's ensuing outswinger into the box was nodded on by Montero. Goalkeeper Danny Cepero got a touch on the shot, which slammed off the crossbar and was cleared.

With five minutes remaining in the first half, the Red Bulls were able to take the lead off a strange play in the Seattle backline. Sounders defender Tyrone Marshall's attempted clearance bounced off Patrick Ianni towards the top of the penalty box. Angel beat Keller to the ball, took one touch around him and knocked it into the empty net.

Moments later, Jeremy Hall found Macoumba Kandji onside and after he took it into the box, he slid it to Zimmerman, who shot straight at Keller.

With seconds left in the first half, the Sounders were able to tie the game. Hall gathered the ball by the left corner flag and tried to clear it. However, Montero was able to strip him of possession and raced in alone on goal before blasting it past Cepero.

Seattle looked to take the lead early in the second half. First, Montero hit a left-footed drive that was knocked away by Cepero. On the ensuing corner kick, the ball was knocked on to Ianni, who could not get enough on his shot from six yards out.

In the 52nd minute, Angel almost tallied his second goal of the game. Zimmerman was able to get space on the right wing and hit a low pass to Angel, who touched it into the box and shot just past the right post.

Seattle was close to striking again 14 minutes from full time. Steve Zakuani ran into the box and put in a shot that Cepero could only parry away. However, the Sounders were unable to knock in the rebound. Later, New York substitute Danleigh Borman swung a free kick into the box that Angel headed wide.

Montero almost won the game for Seattle in the 85th minute. Montero got the ball at the left top corner of the box and juked by two Red Bulls defenders before poking a shot off the left post. In second half stoppage time, Sounders forward Roger Levesque had space from 15-yards-out and forced Cepero to make a save.

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

LAST WEEK:
Red Bulls 1, Seattle Sounders FC on June 20 at Giants Stadium

THIS WEEK:
Red Bulls at Toronto FC on June 24 at BMO Field at 7:30 PM ET (TV: MSG; Radio: WQBU 92.7 FM)
Red Bulls at Columbus Crew on June 27 at Crew Stadium at 7:30 PM ET (TV: Fox Soccer Channel; Radio: WQBU 92.7 FM)

NEXT WEEK:
Red Bulls at FC Dallas on July 4 at Pizza Hut Park at 9:00 PM ET (TV: MSG; Radio: WADO 1280 AM)

ANGEL MOVES UP: Red Bulls forward Juan Pablo Angel scored his fifth goal of the season against Seattle on Saturday, pouncing on a deflected clearance at the top of the Sounders' penalty box and knocking it home. It was Angel's first goal since he converted a penalty kick in a 3-2 loss to the Colorado Rapids on May 30. Angel is now one goal shy of tying Clint Mathis for second in club history in regular season goals scored.

GOALS (Regular Season)

GOLDTHWAITE SUSPENDED: Red Bulls defender Kevin Goldthwaite picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the 36th minute, thereby earning an automatic one-game suspension. He will miss the Red Bulls' match against Toronto FC Wednesday.

WOLYNIEC MOVES UP: Red Bulls forward John Wolyniec is moving up the games played chart for New York. Wolyniec came into the game against Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday as a substitute, appearing in his 128th match for the club. Teammate Mike Petke is the club's all-time leader in games played (143) and started (137). Two appearances this wee would move him into a tie for third overall with Mike Magee.

GAMES PLAYED

NY/CT DEFEATS NJ/PA IN HIGH SCHOOL CUP: On Saturday night, June 20, following the New York Red Bulls' 1-1 draw with Seattle Sounders FC, the Red Bulls hosted the Third Annual Red Bull High School Cup. The all-star game featured the best of the best of graduating high school seniors from the area. This year, the Red Bulls expanded the reach of the game, including the top high school seniors from Connecticut and Pennsylvania along with New York and New Jersey. The match was a hard fought, close affair, with the New York/Connecticut team ultimately grabbing the bragging rights over New Jersey/Pennsylvania, picking up the victory on penalty kicks after a 1-1 regulation score in a rainy mist at Giants Stadium.

The New York/Connecticut team went on top in the first half. Notre Dame High School and Bethany, CT product Will Daniels scored a goal in the 16th minute on a brilliant individual effort. Daniels took the ball down the left side, cut in towards the middle and, from about 22 yards out, blasted a shot off the left goalpost and into the net.

It did not take long for the New Jersey/Pennsylvania side to equalize, as just two minutes later, North Brunswick HS and North Brunswick, NJ native Evans Ofori leveled the score. New York/Connecticut goalkeeper Anthony Occhialini (Montville HS/Oakdale, CT) did well to get his hand to a cross, but Ofori was right there on the doorstep to head in the rebound. It was an exciting start to what ended up being an evenly fought match with a dramatic finish.

Although there were no goals scored in the second half, the play was just as impressive. Occhialini and New Jersey/Pennsylvania goalkeeper Brendon Paul of Flemington, NJ and St. Benedict's Prep both made key saves to keep the score deadlocked. Occhialini came up especially big, denying Freehold, NJ native Ryan Clark's (Freehold Township HS) scoring opportunity. Ultimately, it would be up to the keepers, as the match stayed tied 1-1 after regulation, forcing the match to be decided on penalty kicks.

After a back-and-forth penalty shootout with both keepers making great saves, Peter Touros of Long Island City, NY and Long Island City HS stepped up and buried his chance to give the New York/ Connecticut side a 3-2 lead in the shootout. New Jersey/Pennsylvania needed to score to keep the shootout going, but Occhialini came up with the dramatic save to snatch the victory for New York/Connecticut. For his heroic efforts in net, Occhialini was named the 2009 High School Cup Most Valuable Player.

"PK's are usually a better part of my game. That's something I work on all the time in practice," Occhialini said of his great performance in the shootout. "I was just thrilled to get the trophy and win."

Just as thrilled with the victory was Touros, a Red Bulls Academy product whose clinical penalty finish ended up being the winning goal. And although the game was just an exhibition, Touros acknowledged that playing in Giants Stadium with so many great players creates some tension.

"The nerves subside after your first touch," Touros said. "Once you have your first touch, if it's positive, if it goes to someone you want, that's when it all subsides. But when it's tied 1-1, that's when it starts coming back."

New Jersey/Pennsylvania coach Bill Galka (Kearny HS) appreciated the commitment of Red Bull to youth soccer and showcasing an event such as the High School Cup.

"I think it's fantastic," Galka said. "I think it's definitely something that from year to year should grow. The more players that get to see the insides of the game and the professional experience, its better for them. It gives them something to strive for."

Not only did the players have the privilege of playing on the Giants Stadium turf, but they all attended a banquet on Friday night with the Red Bulls' first team players and coaches. The high school seniors were able to mingle with the Red Bulls, talk soccer, and learn more about the game.

"We were eating dinner with the professionals last night, and then we come out to the field and they're talking with us like we're friends," Touros said of his interactions with the Red Bulls. "Dane Richards came up to me and said 'Do it up, bring it back to New York.'"

The entire experience, from the Friday training session, Friday night banquet, and Saturday night match, was one that the players are sure to remember for a very long time.

"It was great memories, something major in my life," Touros said. "I'm going to take it forever. It's just an amazing thing the Red Bulls put together."

RICHARDS CALLED UP: New York Red Bulls midfielder Dane Richards has been called up by the Jamaican National Team for the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and he will miss time with the Red Bulls starting July 1.

Jamaica's first match is on July 3 in Los Angeles, CA against Canada. Four days later, they take on Costa Rica in Columbus, OH. Jamaica's third match is against El Salvador on July 10 in Miami, FL. Should Jamaica advance, the quarterfinals are scheduled for July 18-19 in Philadelphia and Dallas with the semifinals taking place on July 23 in Chicago and the finals on July 26 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

The Red Bulls have only one match - July 4 at FC Dallas - between when Richards leaves and the earliest day he might return. After the game in Dallas, the Red Bulls do not return to action until July 16, when they host the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Richards has played in 15 games, starting in 10 of them, and has one goal and one assist for the Red Bulls this season. Richards has 12 appearances with the Jamaican National Team, his first coming in 2002 at the age of 18. He has yet to score a goal for the National Team, but at the end of 2008, Richards played an integral part in helping Jamaica capture the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Cup.

NOT GUN SHY: Red Bulls forward Juan Pablo Angel has been moving up the club's annals in shots and shots on goal. Angel is currently third in each category, with 225 shots and 117 shots on goal. He is trailing Clint Mathis (276, 125) and Amado Guevara (260, 121). Angel is first in MLS in shots (52) and second in shots on goal (23) behind FC Dallas' Kenny Cooper (27).

BOYENS RETURNS FROM CONFEDERATIONS CUP: New York Red Bulls defender Andrew Boyens returned Monday morning to the New York/New Jersey area following his participation in the New Zealand National Team's run in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.

Boyens joined New Zealand on June 1 for a camp in preparation for the international competition in South Africa. The All Whites had friendlies against Tanzania on June 3, Botswana on June 6, and Italy on June 10. New Zealand dropped a 2-1 decision to Tanzania and tied Botswana, 0-0. The Kiwis also lost, 4-3, to Italy. Boyens played the full 90 minutes against Italy and Botswana.

On Sunday, June 14, the All Whites lost, 5-0, to Spain in their first group match. They lost to host, South Africa, on June 17, 2-0, and tied Iraq 0-0 on June 20. Boyens was unavailable for the Red Bulls' matches against D.C. United on June 4, New England on June 7, Toronto FC on June 13 and Seattle Sounders FC on June 20. He played the full 90 minutes against Spain and South Africa and came on as a substitute against Iraq. Boyens now has 11 caps for the national team. He has started and played in three games for the Red Bulls this season.

RED BULLS TO CONNECT AGAINST W: The New York Red Bulls will take on Trinidad and Tobago club, W Connection, in the Preliminary Round of the 2009-2010 CONCACAF Champions League, it was announced in a draw held in New York City. New York will travel will travel to Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella, Trinidad and Tobago for the first leg on Thursday, July 30 at 8:00 PM ET. The teams will then play the second leg at Giants Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 8:00 PM ET. Ticket information for the home leg will be announced in the near future.

The Red Bulls, who are playing in their first Champions League, were one of 16 teams that were entered into the Preliminary Round in an official draw held in New York City on June 11. The winner of the aggregate goals series will qualify for the Group D in the Group Stage, where they face Pumas UNAM (Mexico), Comunicaciones of Guatemala and the winner of the Liberia (Costa Rica) and Real Espana (Honduras) series. New York earned the right to compete in the tournament after making the 2008 MLS Cup Final last year.

The Group Stage will begin the week of Aug. 18 and continue for six rounds, finishing on Oct. 22. Two teams from each group will qualify for the Championship Round, and will learn their path through the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals in a subsequent draw to be held later this year.

"We are honored to be a part of this year's CONCACAF Champions League and are excited to face W Connection, said Sporting Director Jeff Agoos. "We know that they will provide a difficult challenge, but we are confident that our squad is capable of advancing to the group stage."

W Connection finished second in the Trinidad and Tobago Professional league in 2008 with a 22-4-6 record. They enjoyed a successful season last year and qualified for the tournament by winning their third Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship, defeating the Puerto Rico Islanders, 2-1, in the final. W Connection is coached by Stuart Charles Fevrier.

RED BULLS-SOUNDERS POST-GAME:
Here was the reaction after the Red Bulls-Seattle Sounders FC match on June 20:

NEW YORK RED BULLS HEAD COACH JUAN CARLOS OSORIO

On the game:
"I thought we had a good first half except for the last minute. I thought we had the better chances. Unfortunately, we conceded again. It was a very soft goal and it cost us dearly today. It was very difficult to come back from that dramatic goal against but at the end, it's a point and I think we played for our pride in the second half and I think it was worth it."

On getting a break on Juan Pablo Angel's goal:
"I was disappointed (actually) because if you remember, Juan had an open header in the seventh minute, then I think Nick had two good shots. I think we were close, closer than them. When Juan got that, I think most teams get that goal more than once in a season so I thought it was OK. I thought it was probably worth it because of the way we approached the game today trying to go forward. But again, we allowed a very soft goal and then on, it was very difficult.

On Jeremy Hall's role in Seattle's goal:
"I think you have to ask him. We all saw the same play. I thought he was going to let it go. I don't know, I didn't ask him why he didn't let it go."

On Danny Cepero:
"He was very good. I think he was our best player last week and probably our most influential player today again."

NEW YORK RED BULLS GOALKEEPER DANNY CEPERO

On the outcome of the game:
"I think obviously we would like to win the game and I think we were capable of winning the game. Aside from the breakdown, I think we played well enough not to just get the draw, but get the 'W' and getting those two points for us would have been huge. At the same time, you have to take the good with the bad. We fought hard until the end. I think we should have found a goal somewhere at the end but at the same time, you can't be depressed at a tie, especially when you are losing games day in and day out."

On making tough saves over the course of the game:
"That's what I get paid to do as a soccer player. You have to perform every night. Those are the saves that I'm expected to make. I was just happy to be at the right place at the right time. I feel a lot more comfortable in goal in general, and in positioning and decision making. I'm more confident and have more trust in my teammates, specifically the defenders, and I think that reciprocates in that they have a more confidence in me and that leads to better play all around."

On facing the Seattle Sounders FC for the second time:
"The atmosphere [was a lot different]; playing at home is a lot easier. We knew what to expect, where they were dangerous, and how they'd come at us. I think that showed on the field."

NEW YORK RED BULLS DEFENDER JEREMY HALL

On losing the ball that lead to a goal in stoppage time of the first half:
"It was a goal kick and it was going out and I was chasing after it. I thought it hit off one of our players and I thought I heard the goalie, he didn't say, 'Save it,'" but he said, 'Leave it.' So I saved it and took an extra touch, one that I shouldn't have, and got punished for it so it's hard. I feel like a baseball pitcher who just gave up a walk off. It cost us points and I feel terrible. I just didn't think he [Fredy Montero] was that close. I tried to clear it after that, and he slid and stayed with it and put it in."

On coming back strong in the second half:
"I just tried to come back. A lot of guys talked to me and told me to forget it. Just going out, I tried to put it in my mind that it was still 1-0 and the mistake didn't happen and go out there and help try to get the result. I thought we played well."

NEW YORK RED BULLS FORWARD JUAN PABLO ANGEL

On tonight's result:
"I think we had a little bit of luck on a couple of plays, and certainly on the one that I scored, it was a rebound and I was quick to react. Hopefully, that will be the stop of that downfall that we had. We should have won the game, but I am happy with the point at the end. It was a relief, and great to score a goal in front of our supporters. But I always said I will sacrifice my own performance for stopping this situation and start winning games."

On Jeremy Hall:
"I was very impressed with the way Jeremy reacted to it. He was our best player in the second half and encouraging for the future. Not many players with the few games he has at this level would react the way he reacted. I'm happy for him because he took it in the right way. He knows that he made a mistake and he's only going to get better from this. It's part of the experience at being at this level; you can't afford to make mistakes because you get punished. But the way he reacted to it and the way he played in the second half was just phenomenal."