Weekly Update: Ending of an era
New York will play the final soccer match at Giants Stadium Saturday before opening Red Bull Arena in 2010
The New York MLS franchise has played its home games at Giants Stadium since the League's first season in 1996. The Red Bulls will move into their brand new stadium, Red Bull Arena, in Harrison, NJ next year. Saturday's match against Toronto FC will be the last soccer match ever played at Giants Stadium - a facility that has hosted a World Cup, multiple international matches and a variety of other soccer events.
A Top-12 list of the highest-attended soccer events at Giants Stadium is below:
1. 79,156 - United States vs. Mexico (Gold Cup Final) - July 26, 2009
2. 79,005 - Manchester United vs. Juventus - July 31, 2003
3. 79,002 - Red Bulls vs. Barcelona - August 12, 2006
4. 78,972 - FIFA Women's World Cup - June 19, 1999
5. 78,682 - United States vs. Argentina - June 8, 2008
6. 78,416 - MLS All-Star Game - July 14, 1996
7. 77,691 - Cosmos vs. Ft. Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) - August 14, 1977
8. 77,094 - Italy vs. Bulgaria (World Cup Semifinal) - July 13, 1994
9. 76,891 - European All-Stars vs. Rest of the World - August 7, 1982
10. 76,322 - Ireland vs. Norway (World Cup) - July 28, 1994
11. 76,031 - Cosmos vs. Tulsa Roughnecks (NASL) - August 26, 1979
12. 75,646 - Cosmos vs. Santos of Brazil (Pele's; farewell) - October 1, 1977
NEW YORK LOOKS TO END SEASON ON A HIGH: The Red Bulls take on a Toronto FC squad that is looking to clinch its first-ever playoff spot. With one game remaining, Toronto FC is in a logjam at 39 points, tied with four other teams for the last spot in the MLS playoffs and one point behind the seventh-placed Colorado Rapids.
Meanwhile, the Red Bulls are looking for three points to end the season and snap a two-game losing streak and five-game winless run. New York did not play over the weekend, but is coming off a 2-0 loss to Real Salt Lake last Wednesday, Oct. 14 at Rio Tinto Stadium. New York returns home for its finale after playing three-straight road games against Western Conference opponents. Its last match at Giants Stadium was a 1-1 tie with the New England Revolution on Sept. 18. The Red Bulls are currently 4-6-4 at the Meadowlands this season.
Toronto FC earned a crucial 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake at BMO Field last Saturday, with captain Jim Brennan providing the game's lone goal while goalkeeper Brian Edwards made nine stops to earn the shutout. Toronto FC has won the first two matches between the two teams. On June 13, Toronto FC earned a 2-1 win at BMO Field. Red Bulls midfielder Albert Celades scored for New York in that match. Eleven days later, Toronto FC again beat New York at BMO Field, this time by a score of 2-0. New York has a 3-4-1 record all-time against their Canadian rival and is 2-1-0 at Giants Stadium.
RED BULLS TO HONOR ANGEL, PETKE FOLLOWING MATCH: The Red Bulls will recognize forward Juan Pablo Angel and defender Mike Petke for reaching a pair of milestones after the team's game against Toronto FC on Saturday.
Angel will be honored for breaking the club's record for goals scored in all competitions after he tallied his 46th goal in New York's 1-1 tie with Chivas USA on Sept. 26. Angel has 46 goals in all competitions, 43 of which were scored in the regular season. He scored his 46th goal in just his 78th appearance, garnering a strike rate of 0.59 goals per match. Angel surpassed Clint Mathis, who needed 100 appearances to reach 45 goals. Angel also eclipsed the team's regular season goal mark of 41, scoring his 42nd in just 68 matches (0.60 goals per regular season game).
GOALS (Regular Season)
| Player | GP | Goals |
| Juan Pablo Angel | 71 | 43 |
| Giovanni Savarese | 85 | 41 |
| Clint Mathis | 93 | 39 |
| Amado Guevara | 103 | 32 |
| John Wolyniec | 138 | 26 |
GOALS (All Competitions)
| Player | GP | Goals |
| Juan Pablo Angel | 79 | 46 |
| Clint Mathis | 110 | 45 |
| Giovanni Savarese | 97 | 44 |
| Amado Guevara | 117 | 38 |
| John Wolyniec | 159 | 32 |
In that same match against Chivas USA, Petke moved into the Top-10 in all-time moved in all-time minutes played in MLS history, passing forward Mark Chung with his 90-minute performance. Over the course of Petke's 12 MLS campaigns with New York, D.C. United and Colorado, he has seen 24,729 minutes of action. Originally drafted by New York in the first round of the 1998 MLS SuperDraft, Petke is in his second stint with the club. Petke leads the club in games played (152) and started (146).
MLS All-Time Minutes Played Leaders (updated as of Oct. 19, 2009):
1. Steve Ralston (33,143)*
2. Kevin Hartman (29,7455)*
3. Jay Heaps (27,273)*
4. Chris Henderson (26,242)
5. Chris Klein (25,932)*
6. Jesse Marsch (25,645)*
7. Jason Kreis (25,242)
8. Cobi Jones (25,157)
9. Jaime Moreno (24,839)*
10. Mike Petke (24,729)*
*- Still active.
MSG TV CHANGE: One Red Bulls match originally scheduled to be telecast live on MSG was switched to another channel, as New York's Oct. 24 clash against Toronto FC at 7:30 PM was moved from MSG to MSG2.
2009 MLS STANDINGS:
Click here to view the MLS standings.
LAST WEEK:
Red Bulls 0, Real Salt Lake 2 on Oct. 14 at Rio Tinto Stadium
THIS WEEK:
Red Bulls vs. Toronto FC on Oct. 24 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ at 7:30 PM ET (TV: MSG 2; Radio: WADO 1280 AM)
RED BULLS DOWNED BY RSL: The New York Red Bulls defense was under pressure most of the night from a Real Salt Lake team desperate for points to keep their postseason hopes alive, and the Red Bulls kept Salt Lake off the scoreboard for 80 minutes before conceding two late goals in a 2-0 defeat on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at Rio Tinto Stadium in the final road match of the season for New York.
Two early offsides calls on Fabian Espindola let New York know Real Salt Lake was going to attack early and often. Espindola had the first chance of the match in the sixth minute, putting a shot from the edge of the area into side netting. Real Salt Lake carried play for much of the first half, creating several dangerous scoring chances, but Danny Cepero was up to the task each time.
In the 12th minute following a Red Bull foul, Javier Morales bent a free kick from 30 yards out that Cepero pushed wide with a full extension dive to his left. Just past the half hour mark, Espindola snaked a shot between two defenders that Cepero was able to get in front of, but he could not control the rebound. However, he was able to parry aside Yura Movsisyan's follow from close range. Off the ensuing corner kick, Will Johnson found the ball at his feet 25 yards from goal, but Cepero made an athletic kick save reaching back to his left to keep the ball out of the net.
Macoumba Kandji had New York's best chance of the first half in the 35th minute, breaking wide into the area on the left side with room to shoot, but his pushed his try from an acute angle wide.
Just before the break, Espindola again challenged Cepero, placing one towards the far corner, but Cepero was able to get his fingertips on it to push it wide, keeping the game scoreless into the half.
Celades attempted to chip Nick Rimando in the area off a Jeremy Hall back heel, but he put the ball onto the top of the goal.
Salt Lake pressured the New York end relentlessly in the second half, but the Red Bull defensive unit held strong during several sustained efforts before Real Salt Lake finally got on the board in the 80th minute. On a counter after a Carlos Johnson shot was blocked by Jamison Olave in the Salt Lake area, Robbie Findley carried the ball down the right side a hit a cross that Andy Williams knocked past Cepero with a sliding shot to give Real Salt Lake the lead.
With New York pushing forward, Espindola put the game away in the 90th minute, curling a shot past Cepero to the far post.
2010 SEASON TICKET PLANS ON SALE: New York Red Bulls 2010 Full Season Ticket Plans for the team's first season in Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ, are on sale to the general public. The Red Bulls successfully completed the relocation of existing season ticket holders from Giants Stadium to Red Bull Arena on Oct. 13 and have sold out the 100-Level Midfield sections 165 days prior to the 2010 Red Bulls season opener on March 27.
Fans are urged to secure their season tickets and seat locations as soon as possible. Ticket prices for the 2010 season range from just $272 to $585 per seat. Seating at Red Bull Arena is as close as seven yards from the touchline and all seats are covered underneath a dynamic 360-degree roof.
Club Seats for the 2010 season are also on sale. For just $3,000 per seat, these premium seats are located behind the team bench, and enjoy several unique features, including access to a private club for all-inclusive food and beverage service.
The prices for 2010 Full Season Ticket Plans are as follows:
Club Seats: $3,000
Midfield: $585
Sideline: $425
Corner Flag: $335
Endline: $299
Supporters: $272
Red Bulls Season Ticket Holders in 2010 will receive several exclusive benefits including the first right to purchase tickets for other Red Bull Arena events, a Season Ticket Holder Gift and access to Meet the Team Day.
For more information or to purchase a season ticket plan, call 1.877.RBSOCCER or log onto newyorkredbulls.com.
COUNDOUL RETURNS FROM NATIONAL TEAM DUTY: Red Bulls goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul was called up to the Senegalese National Team for their friendly against South Korea in Seoul on Oct. 14, but did not play. Coundoul missed the Red Bulls' 2-0 loss to Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, Oct. 14 and was replaced by goalkeeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell, who was signed after New York received League approval for a case of extreme hardship.
Coundoul has earned three caps for Senegal and has made seven starts for the Red Bulls, earning a 1.43 goals against average.
BOYENS GOES FOR WORLD CUP BERTH: Red Bulls defender Andrew Boyens was called up to the New Zealand National Team for the first leg of its 2010 World Cup Qualifiying two-leg playoff against Bahrain. The first leg took place in Bahrain's National Stadium in Manama on Oct. 10 - a game New Zealand tied 0-0. Boyens, who did not play in the match, re-joined New York last week in time to play 90 minutes against Real Salt Lake on Oct. 14.
The All Whites host the second leg at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Nov. 14. The winner of the series will qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Boyens has earned 12 caps for his national team and competed at the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa for New Zealand last summer. New Zealand qualified for this final playoff stage after winning the Oceania qualifying zone last year. The 26-year-old has started in 13 games this season for New York.
ANGEL TOP SCORER SINCE 2007: Over the past three seasons, since Angel joined the League from Aston Villa as New York's second Designated Player in April 2007, he has been MLS' most prolific goal scorer in the regular season.
GOALS (Regular Season)
| Player (team) | GP | Goals |
| Juan Pablo Angel (NY) | 71 | 43 |
| Luciano Emilio (DC) | 82 | 41 |
| Landon Donovan (LA) | 74 | 39 |
RED BULLS TO OPEN RED BULL ARENA VS. FIRE: The New York Red Bulls will open Red Bull Arena on Saturday, March 27, 2010, when they host the Chicago Fire at 7:00 PM ET for the start their 2010 MLS Regular Season slate. The game will be telecast nationally on ESPN2. The match is just 184 days away as of Sept. 23 and will be the first MLS game in the new stadium.
"We are excited to be opening Red Bull Arena on the first weekend of MLS action," said Red Bulls Managing Director Erik Stover. "Red Bull Arena will provide an unparalleled experience for our fans and players. The inaugural match will be a special evening and we look forward to showcasing our new stadium."
Easily accessible by public transportation and located in a diverse soccer hotbed, Red Bull Arena, located in Harrison, NJ, is expected to be one of the premier venues of its kind in the United States. Vertical construction on the 25,000-seat venue started in August 2008. With seats as close as seven yards from the touchline and located underneath a dynamic 360-degree roof, Red Bull Arena will be the ultimate sporting experience for soccer and causal fans alike. Detailed information regarding Red Bull Arena can be found by logging onto www.redbullarena.us.
The Red Bulls' opener will be the first match of a 30-game schedule, which will be released by the League in full prior to the kickoff of next season.
TWO CALLED UP TO U.S. U-17 WORLD CUP SQUAD: Red Bull Academy products John Agudelo and Keith Cardona have each been named to US U17 Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera's 21-player roster for the upcoming FIFA U17 World Cup, beginning Oct. 26 in Nigeria. Agudelo, a forward was with the team during qualifying, while Cardona, a goalkeeper, is making his U17 MNT debut.
The New York Red Bulls Academy is the only program in the country to have two players named to the U17 World Cup roster.
The USA will play the first two group games against Spain on Oct. 26 and Malawi on Oct. 29, in Kano before moving to Ijebu-Ode to close out the first round against UAE on Nov. 1.
U.S. U-17 Roster:
GOALKEEPERS: 21-Keith Cardona (New York Red Bulls Academy), 1-Earl Edwards (Nomads SC), 12-Spencer Richey (Crossfire Premier);
DEFENDERS: 6-Zachary Herold (West Pines United FC), 4-Perry Kitchen (Chicago Magic), 20-Boyd Okwuonu (Tulsa Thunder), 3-Tyler Polak (CSA Legacy), 2-Jared Watts (North Meck SC.), 15-Eriq Zavaleta (FC Pride);
MIDFIELDERS: 5-Marlon Duran (Latino Americana), 10-Luis Gil (Pateadores), 14-Carlos Martinez (Wilmington Jr.), 17-Will Packwood (Birmingham City, England), 11-Nick Palodichuk (Washington Premier FC), 8-Alex Shinsky (Super Nova FC);
FORWARDS: 16-Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls Academy), 19-Victor Chavez (Real So Cal), 18-Andrew Craven (First Coast Kickers), 7-Stefan Jerome (West Pines United FC), 9-Jack McInerney (Cobb SC), 13-Dominick Sarle (BW Gottschee).
ARE YOU FOLLOWING?: The New York Red Bulls have added several new multimedia initiatives across the team's web portals, including the team's official website: NewYorkRedBulls.com.
Adding to the club's existing list of web content, including Red Bulls Wrap, a weekly podcast, Red Bulls Insider, a bi-weekly video program taking a behind-the-scenes look at the Red Bulls, the Red Bulls Facebook page, and RedBullsReader.com, the official blog of the club, are two new podcast offerings as well as two Twitter options.
This season the team has launched two new podcasts. Red Bulls Al Aire, a Spanish language offering hosted by the radio voices of the club, Ernesto Motta and Robert Sierra, posts new episodes every Wednesday. Every Thursday, a new offering is online from Petke's Podcasts, hosted by New York and MLS veteran Mike Petke, provides the players' view on the club, from the defender's unique, and often hilarious, point of view. All three podcasts are available through iTunes.
WE'RE ON TWITTER: The Red Bulls, Mike Petke, and Juan Pablo Angel have all joined Twitter.com, offering thoughts and information from the club 140 characters at a time. Follow the club at www.twitter.com/redbullsreader, and follow Petke at www.twitter.com/petkemike and Angel at www.twitter.com/juanpabloangel.
