Team leaves for Pilar, Argentina
March 9 -- Team returns to NY/NJ area
March 12 -- Red Bulls at Crystal Palace Baltimore at 7 PM in Annapolis, MD.
March 19 -- Red Bulls at Seattle Sounders FC at 9 PM ET (TV: ESPN2, ESPN
Deportes)
NEW YORK TO FACE PORTLAND:
The Red Bulls will play an exhibition match against the Portland Timbers on Friday, March 20 at 10 PM ET (7 PM PT) at the University of Portland's Clive Charles Complex. New York kicks off their 2009 regular season campaign the night before, when they face Seattle Sounders FC at Qwest Field at 9 PM ET (TV: ESPN2, ESPN Deportes; Radio:
WADO 1280 AM).
IN AND OUT:
The Red Bulls have several new faces on their team in 2009 as well as others who departed in the off-season. Here is a list:
New Players (6): Jeremy Hall (Selected in the first round (11th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 15, 2009); Dominic Oduro (Acquired in a trade with FC Dallas on Jan. 13, 2009); Mike Petke (Acquired in 2008 MLS Waiver Draft on Nov. 26, 2008); Khano Smith (Acquired in a trade with Seattle Sounders FC on Feb. 12, 2009); Jack Traynor (Selected in the second round (29th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 15, 2009); Nick Zimmerman (Selected in the third round (44th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 15, 2009)
Players who have left (9): Gabriel Cichero (Waived on Nov. 26, 2008); John Gilkerson (Did not return to team after 2008 season); Diego Jimenez (Returned to Tecos after loan expired with New York on Dec. 31, 2008); Gordon Kljestan (Waived on Nov. 26, 2008); Mike Magee (Traded to the Los Angeles Galaxy on Jan. 14, 2009); Jeff Parke (Selected by Seattle Sounders FC in 2008 MLS Expansion Draft on Nov. 26, 2008); Caleb Patterson-Sewell (Did not return to team after 2008 season); David Roth (Waived on Feb. 18, 2009); Sainey Touray (Waived on Nov. 26, 2009); Dave van den Bergh (Traded to FC Dallas on Jan. 13, 2009)
The Red Bulls must trim their roster to 24 players (between 18-20 senior roster players and the rest developmental) to be compliant with League regulations on March 2. Last year, each team was allowed to have a 28-man roster (18 senior, 10 developmental).
INDIVIDUAL TICKET PACKS ON SALE:
Individual ticket packages for the first eight New York Red Bulls 2009 regular season games at Giants Stadium are on sale now by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER. The individual ticket packages include four (4) tickets to a Red Bulls match and a choice of either four t-shirts or a $20 concession voucher for use at the Giants Stadium concessions stands. The packages start as low as $89.95.
The Red Bulls also announced that four-game and eight-game ticket plans are also available for the 2009 season. Fans securing Full or Partial Season ticket plans this season will receive priority access to select their seats in Red Bull Arena, the state-of-the-art soccer-specific stadium being constructed in Harrison, New Jersey, scheduled to open in 2010.
For more information, please call the Red Bulls Fan Services department at 1.877.RBSOCCER.
Red Bull Academy Update: March 2
A Look Back
U-20s: Did not play.
U-18s: The U-18s dropped a 1-0 decision to Potomac SC in the Mid-Atlantic Division on Saturday, February 28. The game was evenly played in the fist half before Potomac scored in the 44th minute off a corner kick to take the 1-0 lead. Despite trying to get back into the game in the second half, the U18s could not find an offensive rhythm.
"We were missing some quality on the pitch tonight that may have helped us break down Potomac," stated head coach Paul O'Donnell. "They were very organized defensively. We hope to have some of our key players back from injury soon. We should have Nicholas Gendron in another week and we hope to have Giorgi Chirgadze back in about a month. Those 2 players will help us a lot when they return. Right now we are still 6-3-0, so we are in pretty good shape."
U-16s: The U-16 New York Red Bulls extend their unbeaten run to nine (6-0-3) with a 2-2 draw against Potomac SC on Saturday, February 28. The Red Bulls opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a very good build-up leading to an outstanding Mike Innocenzi cross that Victor Manosalvas hammered home. Potomac answered back just before the half as the teams went into the break tied, 1-1.
The Red Bulls played some very creative attacking soccer in the second half and produced several dangerous scoring opportunities. In the 43rd minute that pressure paid off from another good service, this time from Paul Ehrenworth and an outstanding finish from Christian Battistesa. The Red Bulls would go on to create several other scoring chances but in the 75th minute Potomac was able to equalize against the run of play.
"I thought we play very well today," said U-16 head coach Rob Elliott. "Some of the soccer we put together today was outstanding and we were dangerous all day long. It is disappointing not to get the three points today but if we clean up a few mistakes and continue to play creative soccer, I look forward to see where this group can go."
U-15s: The U-15 match with FC Greater Boston scheduled for Sunday, March 1 was postponed due to snow.
U-14s: The U-14 match with FC Greater Boston was scheduled for Sunday, March 1 was postponed due to snow.
A Look Ahead:
Saturday March 7th
U-16 Red Bulls @ U-16 FC Delco 1:00pm
U-18 Red Bulls @ U-18 FC Delco 3:00pm
Sunday March 8th
U-14 Red Bulls @ U-14 PA Classics 1:00pm
U-16 Red Bulls @ U-16 PA Classics 1:00pm
U-15 Red Bulls @ U-15 PA Classics 3:00pm
U-18 Red Bulls @ U-18 PA Classics 3:00pm
