Red Bulls wrap preseason with 2-0 win

Smith, Mbuta score goals in victory over Crystal Palace Baltimore

Red Bull New York Media Relations

Matthew Mbuta scored the second Red Bulls goal against Crystal Palace Baltimore on Thursday. (C. Trotman/Getty)

ANNAPOLIS, MD -- The New York Red Bulls completed their 2009 preseason with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace Baltimore of the United Soccer League's Second Division at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Thursday night. New York received goals from Khano Smith and former CPB midfielder Matthew Mbuta, as the Red Bulls ended their preseason with a 4-2-3 record.

Both teams had scoring chances in the first half. In the 24th minute, CPB's Shintaro Harada chipped it over the top to Tanner Wolfe, who centered the ball into the box to Val Teixeira. However, defender Luke Sassano was there to break up the play before Teixeira got a shot off. Moments later, Dane Richards was able to get free in the penalty box and hit a left-footed shot from 15-yards out that was punched away by goalkeeper Brian Rowland.

CPB almost took the lead in the 41st minute as midfielder Jordan Seabrook found an unmarked Almir Barbosa at the penalty spot. However, the forward whiffed on the shot attempt and the ball was cleared.

The Red Bulls went ahead four minutes later. Playing at right back, Jeremy Hall swung the ball towards Juan Pablo Angel, who was at the top of the box. Angel let it bounce past him to the path of an on-rushing Smith and the Bermudan brushed off his defender and slotted it past Rowland.

New York doubled its lead two minutes into the second half. John Wolyniec hit a low pass towards the penalty box to Mbuta, who turned and hit it inside the left post from 12-yards-out.

The 2008 MLS Cup Finalist Red Bulls begin the 2009 MLS season on March 19 at Seattle against the expansion Seattle Sounders FC at Qwest Field. The game will be telecast nationally on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes at 9 PM ET and locally broadcast live on WADO 1280 AM in Spanish. Their home opener is on Saturday, March 28 when they host the New England Revolution at Giants Stadium at 7:30 PM ET (TV: Fox Soccer Channel, Radio: WADO 1280 AM).

New York Red Bulls 2, Crystal Palace Baltimore 0
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium March 12, 2009

Scoring Summary:
NY: Smith (Hall) 45'
NY: Mbuta (Wolyniec) 47'

Disciplinary Summary:
CPB: Teixeira (caution) 60'

New York Red Bulls First Half Lineup: Danny Cepero, Jack Traynor (Mike Petke 27'), Kevin Goldthwaite, Luke Sassano, Jeremy Hall, Seth Stammler, Khano Smith, Dane Richards, Jorge Rojas, Macoumba Kandji, Juan Pablo Angel

New York Red Bulls Second Half Lineup: Danny Cepero, Kevin Goldthwaite (Traynor 64'), Mike Petke, Carlos Mendes, Carlos Johnson, Juan Pietravallo, Sinisa Ubiparipovic, Nick Zimmerman, Dominic Oduro, Matthew Mbuta, John Wolyniec

Crystal Palace Baltimore Lineup: Brian Rowland (Billy Chiles 78'), Mateus dos Anjos (Zach Flores 46'), Andrew Marshall, Paul Robson, Eric Dougnaglo (Dan Lader 46'), Alex Ughiovhe, Shintaro Harada, Jordan Seabrook, Tanner Wolfe, Almir Barbosa (Kevin Gnatiko 46'), Val Teixeira